Foundation Scholarship Winner Osvaldo Rojas is Determined to Secure His Own Future
“Education is expensive, and I don’t want to burden my family,” shares Contra Costa College (CCC) Foundation Scholarship winner Osvaldo Rojas. “I’ve been saving up every penny for school ever since I started working. With the CCC Foundation’s help, I can finally enroll full-time without having the pressure to go to work.” A long-term resident […]
‘Everything is an Opportunity for Growth’ Says Luna Angulo
Luna Angulo is an environmental justice organizer who was just awarded the Sierra Club’s Emerging Voices Award. They also just graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. But, Contra Costa College is where they got their start in community organizing and environmental activism. Luna grew up in […]
CCC’s Lorena Gonzalez Is Committed to Marginalized and Minoritized Students
UC Berkeley’s Voices Blog is shining the spotlight on CCC’s Lorena Gonzalez! Professor Gonzalez recently completed a certificate in Student Affairs and Higher Education at the university, in order to better serve her students at CCC. When asked about her commitment to community colleges, here’s what she had to say: “I feel that the community […]
Akim Henderson Is Here for His Fellow Students
This isn’t the first time Akim Henderson has pursued higher education. In fact, Akim’s journey stands as a testament to the power of perseverance. “I grew up with an absent father,” he recalls. “My mom was killed when I was 10. And, I have lived through gun violence and substance abuse.” “I went to Cal […]
Jeanelle Hope is a First-Generation Scholar
Even as a child, Jeanelle Hope loved history. “I enjoyed reading biographies, and learning about historical figures at an early age,” she remembers. “My aunt bought me this boxed set of biographies of African American figures. And, by the time I got to 9th or 10th grade, I realized that history was my favorite subject.” […]
Video Game Marketing Pro Cristian Cardona Learned a Lot at CCC
Cristian Cardona didn’t know what he wanted to do when he graduated from Richmond High School in 1996. But, he knew he didn’t want to spend a ton of money at a university while he tried to figure it out. So, he came to CCC, and earned an associate degree in liberal arts. That gave […]
CCC Taught Mauricio Flores the Value of an Education
Mauricio Flores is about to get his bachelor’s in cell, molecular and developmental biology at the University of California, Riverside. He’s currently fielding offers from employers and graduate schools. And, he says it’s his experience at Contra Costa College that makes him stand out among applicants. “It gave me a competitive edge to say I […]
Elisha Patterson Says ‘You’re Not Alone’ at CCC
For Elisha Patterson, CCC was a second chance and a transformative experience. Like about 30% of current CCC students, Elisha enrolled as an older, returning student. After high school, she felt she needed to focus on work. “In Richmond, I think we’re raised to do K through 12,” she explains, “but, also asked, ‘How are […]
Victor Bolan Jr. Came Back to Make a Difference
Victor Bolan Jr. was born and raised in Richmond. Like many of his peers, he came to Contra Costa College (CCC) after high school unsure of what path he wanted to take. “I was just doing small courses here and there,” Victor says. “Sometimes part-time, sometimes full-time. My courses were scattered. I had over 85 […]
‘You Only Have One Life!’ Says Business Major Quynh Pham
Quynh Pham was born and raised in Vietnam. She moved to the US just 14 years ago. “When I came here,” she recalls, “it was very hard for me to learn English. I was very nervous to talk to people. I’m scared I’ll pronounce things wrong. And, in Vietnam, we learned British English, and sometimes […]
CCC Brought Christine Sanok Out of Retirement–and Took Her to Italy!
It’s never too late to go back to school! Christine Sanok heard about CCC’s culinary program at her retirement dinner, from a friend who had heard her mention culinary school before. “I wanted to be a blessing to my family and friends,” Christine explains. “I wasn’t very confident in the kitchen. We host one event […]
CNA Grad Tatiana Frank ‘Has Moved Way, Way Up The Ladder’
We all have to start somewhere. Tatiana Frank started in CCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program. She came to CCC as a busy 17-year-old–with an admittedly bad attitude. “I would say I was a problem student,” she says. “Not major problems. I turned in my work. But, I’m not gonna lie, I did have an attitude.” It’s […]
Meet Study Abroad Scholar Jonathon Torres
The Contra Costa Community College District has a great study abroad program – but some years, no one from CCC applies at all! Retired Chancellor Dr. Helen Benjamin and retired Senior Dean of Research & Development Tim Clow want more students to be able to take advantage of this experience. That’s why they decided to create […]
