Los Rios Magazine - Fall 2018 issue

AMER IC AN R IVER COLLEGE  COSUMNE S R IVER COLLEGE FOL SOM L AKE COLLEGE  SACR AMENTO CIT Y COLLEGE

FALL 2018

#LosRiosPromise

FREE TUITION FOR FIRST-TIME, FULL-TIME STUDENTS PAGE 8

CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE At the four colleges of the Los Rios Community College District – American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College – our committed faculty and staff work tirelessly to provide rich academic opportunities that help our students achieve their goals.

While our students have unique talents, interests, and backgrounds, they all share a common trait – a thirst for education as a means to a better life. Our pledge to them – and to our entire community – is that we will never stop working to help make their dreams a reality. The growth and success of our entire region depends on it.

On behalf of the Los Rios Board of Trustees, I’d like to thank you for your continued support of public higher education and our colleges. We are dedicated to the success of our students and committed to being excellent stewards of not just the public’s resources, but the public trust as well.

AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841 (916) 484-8011 · www.arc.losrios.edu

COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 691-7344 · www.crc.losrios.edu

Brian King, Chancellor kingb@losrios.edu Los Rios Magazine is published by the Communications Office of the Los Rios Community College District. Copyright © 2018 Editor

Gabe Ross, Los Rios Contributing Editors Scott Crow, ARC Kristy Hart, FLC Kaitlyn MacGregor, SCC Kristie West, CRC

Contributors Matthew Battershell, FLC Jane Crandell, FLC Teri Gutierrez, Los Rios Joan Kudin, ARC Crystal Lee, SCC Danielle Weast, CRC Graphic Design Jennifer McLane, FLC

Los Rios Community College District 1919 Spanos Court, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 568-3041 • www.losrios.edu

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FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE 10 College Parkway, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 608-6500 · www.flc.losrios.edu

SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE 3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 558-2111 · www.scc.losrios.edu

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE ALUM IS

DIGGING HER SCENE Cosumnes River College (CRC) alum Nikki Karapanos emigrated from Greece when she was two years old.

Even now half a world away, Nikki’s appreciation for her homeland’s long and rich history ignited a passion to pursue a career that examined humankind’s past.

Her curiosity about the human condition was wellsuited to the study of anthropology and archaeology.

The importance of storytelling in ancient societies was mirrored in that of her daily social interactions on campus.

“I tried to meet three new people in every class I had and it was eye opening,” Nikki said. “I met veterans, single parents, grandmothers, immigrants, cancer survivors, trans peers, and culturally diverse students from all over the world. Listening to their stories and experiences not only made classes more enjoyable, but also showed the diversity that is welcome at CRC.” Nikki is attending UC Davis this fall, pursuing a master’s degree in archaeology. ▪

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COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE STUDENT LEADER

FINDS HER CALLING AT CAL Folsom Lake College (FLC) alumna Zainub Tayeb knew from an early age that she wanted to make the world a better place.

“While I knew that I wanted to study political science, my time and experiences outside the classroom at FLC really helped me solidify a career path,” said Zainub. “I fell in love with the work I did with the Student Senate and realized that higher education and social justice policy was something that I was really passionate about.”

“My advice to new students is to invest in yourself.

Higher education is a commitment, but it can truly benefit your life and the lives of those around you.” ­ — Zainub Tayeb

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This was further cemented when Zainub was invited to attend the Social Justice Training Institute held at the University of Kansas last summer. With 49 other students from across the country, facilitators led participants through activities to further their knowledge of social justice issues and how they could be better leaders and educators on their respective campuses.

This fall, Zainub transferred to UC Berkeley, an institution of higher education well-known for its cultivation of activists and advocates. Zainub said, “I am constantly being inspired by my peers in a time where people are using as many platforms as they can to organize social revolutions or start global conversations. So many voices are demanding long-overdue diverse representation in the media and politics and it is finally being realized. All these combined voices and instances fuel my passion and commitment to my education.” ▪

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE GRADS

FORM LASTING BOND Alejandra Duran, Yesenia Velazco, and Julio Zamarripa never expected to go to college, much less work at one.

The three friends, each the first in their family to attend college, met at Sacramento City College (SCC) through the Puente Project. Puente’s mission is to increase the number of underrepresented Mexican-American and Latino students who transfer to four-year colleges and universities, earn their college degrees, and return to their communities as mentors to future generations.

As the youngest of five siblings, Alejandra struggled with choosing to go to college over the cultural expectation that she would stay home and help with the family.

“That was hard for me because I’m very selfless, so I wanted to stay home, but I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone in order to grow,” Alejandra said.

Recently, they returned to SCC to participate in a transfer workshop representing their respective institutions. For the reunited friends, being back on campus brought back fond memories. “As we were passing by the cafeteria, we were saying, ‘Remember, we used to sit in that corner? That was our hangout spot two years ago,’” Julio recalled.

This fall, Alejandra and Yesenia started the graduate program in career counseling at Sacramento State and Julio began working toward his master’s in educational counseling at the University of Laverne. However, for these friends, SCC will always be a place to call home. ▪

“I was not thinking about college at all,” said Yesenia, who only signed up for SCC classes because a high school friend didn’t want to do it alone. “I knew I loved school and I knew I loved learning. But as a first generation student, I didn’t know how to get into college or what kind of resources were available.”

Having all transferred to UC Riverside and with their undergraduate degrees in hand, they now find themselves working in similar positions assisting new students through the admissions process, but at different UC campuses – Alejandra is at UC Merced, Yesenia at UC Riverside, and Julio at UC Santa Barbara.

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COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

BUILDING A FUTURE

AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE PROGRAM TRAINS NEXT GENERATION OF TRADESPEOPLE

American River College programs enroll over

American River College (ARC) offers career education apprenticeship programs for carpenters, drywall/lathers, electricians, iron workers, and sheet metal workers, where students gain access to high-demand career options, as well as ongoing college credits and industry certifications.

7,000

“Apprenticeship is a structured ‘earn-while-you-learn’ model combining paid employment, on-the-job training, and college courses,” said Josef Preciado, Director of the California Apprenticeship Initiative. “Different from internship, apprenticeship is a long-term commitment and investment in individuals, their families, local communities, and the economy.”

apprentices annually

PHOTO BY STEVENSON MEDIA

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ARC apprentices are now employed by Acco, Air Systems Service & Construction, Dome Construction, Frank M. Booth, Inc., Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co., Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Intech Mechanical, Lawson Mechanical, PG&E, and SMUD. ▪

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE STUDENT

GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS Incarcerated at 16 years old, Jonathan Dena is finding a new beginning.

Upon his release, he looked to higher education to set a new course for himself and enrolled at Cosumnes River College (CRC).

Jonathan found the campus community to be very welcoming. Many of his professors motivated him to take advantage of every opportunity available to him.

“I considered other majors, but after experiencing the harsh reality of possessing a criminal record in the workforce, I chose business as my major because it gave me the chance to create opportunities for myself that others insisted I didn’t deserve,” said Jonathan.

He will be the first in his family to graduate college and plans to transfer to either the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley or Sacramento State. In the future, he wants to establish his own business and provide jobs for others who have faced similar struggles.

“The fact that I’m not as far along as I could be is even more reason to take advantage of every opportunity,” Jonathan said. “Not long ago, I didn’t believe these opportunities were possible.

Now I’m excited to embrace society and start my new life.” ▪

“I refuse to let any circumstance that I’ve endured get in the way of my happiness.”

– Jonathan Dena Los Rios Magazine | FALL 2018 7

LOS RIOS COLLEGES OFFER

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Free Tuition FOR FIRST-TIME, FULL-TIME C OLLEGE STUDENTS

Earning a college degree just got a whole lot more affordable in the Greater Sacramento region.

The Los Rios Community College District – which includes American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College – is now offering one year of free tuition to all first-time college students who enroll full-time (at least 12 units per semester).

“For many students in our region, cost has long been a barrier to pursuing their academic or career goals,” said Brian King, Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. “With the Los Rios Promise, our colleges are making it easier than ever for students to get onto a path to a degree, transfer, or certificate as quickly – and costeffectively – as possible.”

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Building off of the successful launch of two pilot Promise programs, the Rancho Cordova Promise (with Folsom Lake College) and the West Sacramento Home Run (with Sacramento City College), now every student in the Capital Region has the ability to access this opportunity.

“In the first year of the Rancho Cordova Promise, we learned how incredibly popular this program is among students,” said Whitney Yamamura, President of Folsom Lake College. “We are thrilled to take this concept to scale and provide every student in the region with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals at Folsom Lake or any of the Los Rios colleges.”

In addition to the no cost tuition, recent high school graduates may be eligible for additional funding, including help with textbooks and other fees.

“The Los Rios Promise isn’t just about getting students in the door to our colleges. It’s about getting them through our colleges and on to transfer or a good job as quickly and easily as possible,” said Melanie Dixon, Los Rios’ Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success.

To be eligible, students must:

1

Be a California resident

Note: AB 540/AB 2000 (Dreamer) students qualify

2

Be a first-time college student

3

Enroll in a minimum of 12 units per semester for fall and spring

To learn more about the Los Rios Promise, visit promise.losrios.edu or contact one of the Los Rios colleges. For information about how you can help remove even more barriers for students, visit the Los Rios Foundation at foundation.losrios.edu. ▪

To learn more about special programs at each college specifically designed for recent high school graduates, contact the Los Rios Colleges: American River College Achieve at ARC www.arc.losrios.edu/Achieve_At_ARC

Folsom Lake College First Year Experience www.flc.losrios.edu/FirstYearExperience

Cosumnes River College First Year Experience www.crc.losrios.edu/FirstYearExperience

Sacramento City College #WelcomeToTheCity www.scc.losrios.edu/first

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COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE STUDENTS FIND

A PASSION FOR FASHION

American River College’s (ARC) fashion program is a model of success, as are its students.

Fashion students conceptualize designs, learn sewing industry standards, create patterns, and make garments.

Merchandising students learn business and merchandise planning, marketing, visual merchandising, and how to run brick and mortar and e-commerce retail stores.

As the culmination of the spring semester, students produce a fashion show featuring garments created by the collections class. “It’s a great way for designers to get exposure for their collections,” said Professor Dyanne Marte. “Last season, Duane Ram, Cedric Wilkins, and Richard Hallmarq from Project Runway were our judges.”

DESIGNER QUYNHNHU NGUYEN

Award-winning designer and student Masha Pupko found her inspiration in the program. “My passion for fashion, especially pattern-making, grew taking classes at ARC. Now I know what I want to do in the future.” ▪

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA MESSICK

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COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE ATHLETES SUCCEED

ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Sacramento City College’s (SCC) Panther Baseball team finished second in the state this year, advancing to the State Championship for a record 17 th time.

Currently third in overall California community college championship wins, the SCC baseball program has a long history of success. Out of the approximately 100 community colleges that field baseball teams, they have gone on to the postseason 41 of the past 42 years and have won five championships.

In addition to their achievements on the field, all of the 2018 team’s sophomores have been academically successful and are continuing their education at four-year institutions this fall. 13 of the transferring Panthers will also play baseball for their new schools next spring. ▪

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PHOTO BY DK PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY DK PHOTOGRAPHY

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE ALUM IS

LIVING THE

“DREAM”

As a first generation college graduate, Iveth Lopez Obeso’s graduation from Folsom Lake College (FLC) in May was a proud moment not only for her, but for her entire family.

journey. “It was an honor and a learning experience to interact with the families of other first-generation students, helping to destigmatize higher education for underrepresented minorities.”

When Iveth immigrated to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico in 2000, she encountered linguistic barriers, radical cultural differences, and a blend of both economic obstacles and educational opportunities.

As a Student Equity Advocate and the founding president of the college’s LatinX Club which provides a support network for Latino and Latina students on campus, Iveth was also on the planning team for a regional event that brought nationally-recognized DACA scholars to FLC to discuss the current issues facing the fluctuating U.S. immigration policy and its effect on the “Dreamer” population, particularly students of higher education.

“Invertir en tu educación al elegir ir a un colegio communitario es una opción muy inteligente.”

– Iveth Lopez Obeso

Iveth used her bilingual communication skills as a Student Ambassador at FLC to provide information to other students beginning their educational

“My goal is to pursue a career in law to advocate for social justice, immigration reform, and human rights,” Iveth shared. With a strong work ethic and the passion and grit to make her dream a reality, she is currently attending UCLA. ▪ Los Rios Magazine | FALL 2018 13

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE SCHOLAR

STAYS TRUE TO HERSELF

“The more you tell me I can’t do it, the more I’m going to prove you wrong.”

– Lisa LaChapelle-Naranjo

Sacramento City College (SCC) student Lisa LaChapelle-Naranjo has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the prestigious Point Foundation, the nation’s largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students, to help her reach her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.

In order for Lisa to pursue the life she wanted, she had to confront the conflicting expectations of family and friends. “I am who I am. I’m going to do what I’m going do. And I’m going to figure it out,” Lisa stated. “I wasn’t willing to give up and I wasn’t willing to settle for mediocre. I wasn’t willing to fit into the boxes people wanted to put me into.”

Two years ago, Lisa, her wife, and their adopted young son decided to move to Sacramento so Lisa could return to school and focus on her education.

She had spent her life thus far taking care of others, and now it was time to care for herself.

A career in health care was a natural choice for Lisa.

“As a nurse practitioner, I hope to bring smiles to patient’s faces and make them feel that they have a voice.” ▪

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The

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Educating the workforce, improving lives, and powering the regional economy.

of the Los Rios Community College District

BUSINESS/SOCIETY

Return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society $1

$1

$1

Gained in lifetime earnings

This is equal to 1.7% of the gross regional product of the Los Rios service area

Spent by taxpayers =

$2.30

Gained in added taxes and public sector savings

Spent by society =

$10.70

in added income that supports

27,415 jobs

Spent by students =

$3.40

$2.1 billion

Gained in added state revenue and social savings

This contribution is nearly as large as the entire utilities industry in the region

STUDENTS/ALUMNI Average earnings by education level at career midpoint in California

Student rate of return

$50,000

Investment in education vs. other portfolio tools

$42,900

$40,000 $30,000

$31,800

$37,000

12.8

$24,400

$20,000

%

Average annual return on investment for Los Rios students

$10,000 Less than High school Certificate high school

Alumni impact

Associate

$1.5 billion added income to the region

10.1 %

Average stock market annual return

interest earned 0.8 % onTotalsavings accounts Los Rios Magazine | FALL 2018 15 

1919 Spanos Court Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 568-3041 www.losrios.edu