ECC President Shares First-Gen Experience, Career Journey

Celebrating 40 years of Puente Project at El Camino College

In this episode of ElCo Chats, Puente Project counselors and co-coordinators Maribel Hernandez and Griselda Castro celebrate a major milestone: 40 years of Puente at El Camino College. Griselda and Maribel share their own journeys as first-generation college students and ultimately the counselors who now guide others along the same path. They talk about what makes Puente work: the cohort model, the integration of counseling and instruction, the mentors who show students what's possible, and the sense of familia that follows Puentistas long after they transfer.

Take the Leap Into Real Estate at El Camino

Real estate professor John Yeressian and student William Wilson talk about how El Camino’s real estate program helps students learn and prepare for a wide range of careers in the competitive real estate industry. Both had diverse experiences and employment in other areas before they enrolled in the ECC program that encouraged them to challenge themselves and build a sustainable career in an evolving market.

Building Brotherhood with MOCAN

El Camino counselor Diego Rodriguez and student Reginald Jackson discuss the impact and mission of the ECC Men of Color Action Network. Also known as MOCAN, this network is dedicated to closing achievement gaps, identifying specific challenges students face, building peer-to-peer support, and providing leadership opportunities. As Reginald says, “MOCAN is a brotherhood, a family – not just a resource.”

El Camino and HBCUs

A dynamic trio of student success Warriors gathered at El Camino to talk about their role in creating a first-ever HBCU transfer guarantee pathway 10 years ago. Elaine Moore, Dr. Regina Smith, and Dr. Helen Young share how the innovative program started at ECC and became a model for the entire California Community Colleges system, increasing opportunities for students statewide to continue their education at an HBCU.

ECC President Shares First-Gen Experience, Career Journey

El Camino President/CEO Dr. Brenda Thames talks about her experience as a first-gen college student, which guided her career dedicated to helping students succeed. Also sharing the positive impact of mentors who believed in her, she wants students to know that a team at El Camino is ready to help them get where they want to be, from assistance with the higher education process to learning how to get the most out of their college experience.