Cultural and Social Communities
At Contra Costa College, our cultural and social communities celebrate diversity and inclusivity. These groups offer vibrant spaces for students to connect, share experiences, and support each other. From cultural clubs to social organizations, there’s a place for everyone.
Academic Communities
Our academic communities foster intellectual growth and excellence, offering students opportunities to collaborate, research, and pursue passions. Through study groups, clubs, or honor societies, students thrive in a supportive environment.
Cultural and Social Communities
Black Community
At Contra Costa College, our Black community is a dynamic and supportive network that celebrates the rich diversity of Black cultures, heritages, and achievements. This community offers programs such as the African American Male Leadership program, The Black Experience series, the Black Student Union, and the African American Studies pathway. These initiatives provide students with opportunities to connect, share experiences, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for all.
The African American Male Leadership (AAML) program builds young men into the leaders of tomorrow while strengthening the bonds of our community. We do this by exposing our students to models of success who look like them and come from humble beginnings. Through a series of conversations, participating students learn about the experiences of professional Bay Area African American men whose accomplishments have taken them around the world.
Program Benefits
- Leadership development. Through exposure to the lessons learned and shared by guest speakers, students will gain inspiration and insight into how to purse their own successes. They will also better understand how to become role models themselves.
- Relationship building. Students will network with CCC professors and staff, community leaders, and guest speakers of African lineage.
- Self improvement. With the support of the positive relationships developed in AAML, students will set goals to achieve personal and academic growth.
- Ambassadorship. Students will be encouraged to share the program with other African American peers to enrich their experience, expand their points of view, and to generate new AAML membership.
- Information sharing. Students will become part of an information sharing network focused on issues of concern to African American people.
African American Male Leadership Staff
Program Coordinator: Dalaneo’ D. Revels, drevels029@contracosta.edu, 510.493.3196
The Black Experience at Contra Costa College is a transformative series of workshops, talks, and events designed to immerse students in the rich tapestry of Black culture and history. This program connects students with classes, teachers, and staff, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Black experience at Contra Costa College. Through these engaging activities, students are empowered to explore their identities, build community, and celebrate their heritage.
For more information contact:
Dr. Nicole Kelly
nkelly@contracosta.edu
Our mission is to create a community for black identities that promotes proactive leadership and academic success while raising awareness of the diversity within the black community around the globe and on campus by providing a platform to amplify our students’ voices and engage in discourse designed to ascertain issues impacting Black identified Students to stimulate a better collegiate experience centered on Acceptance, Excellence, Interdependence, Perseverance, and Tolerance.
For more information contact:
Nzingha Dugas
ndugas@contracosta.edu
Engage in a comprehensive exploration of African and African American experiences through our African American Studies Pathway. This program sharpens your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while empowering you to become a catalyst for change. In partnership with the Africana Studies Department at San Francisco State University, our interdisciplinary curriculum spans the Humanities, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences, and we proudly offer a major in African American Studies.
Latine Community
As a recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) with a Social Justice grant, Contra Costa College is proud to support our vibrant Latine community. Our initiatives include the La Raza Student Union, the La Raza Studies pathway, and the Metas program, which offers tutoring and workshops for 7th-12th graders, connecting them with college mentors. These programs foster a sense of belonging, academic success, and community engagement, empowering students to thrive both on campus and beyond.
La Raza Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program that provides students with an in-depth analysis of the rich life experiences of Chicanas/os and Latinas/os in the Americas. The program emphasizes comparative and trans-border study of Latinos/as and indigenous people. Three major areas of focus include historical study, contemporary social issues, and literature. A degree in La Raza Studies will help students develop professional skills, ethical integrity, leadership skills, and access to professional networks and/or advanced degree programs.
For more information contact:
Agustin Palacios
apalacios@contracosta.edu
The Metas program was founded in 1985 with the purpose of supporting Latine students in continuing on to higher education through Contra Costa College and beyond. Over time, Metas has undergone significant evolution to effectively respond to the diverse needs of the community in West Contra Costa Unified School District.
The program takes immense pride in its inclusive and culturally responsive approach, serving students and families from various ethnic, racial, and marginalized backgrounds. The program has been unwavering in its commitment to fostering deeper connections to education, culture, and equitable opportunities by providing essential tutoring, mentoring, courses and activities to actively engage with students and their families.
For more information contact:
Monique Hernandez
mohernandez@contracosta.edu
APIDA Community
At Contra Costa College, our APIDA community is a vibrant and inclusive network that celebrates the rich diversity of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American cultures, heritages, and achievements. This community offers programs such as the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union and we celebrate cultural heritage events.
APISA celebrates, explores, and teaches others about the diverse Asian and Pacific Island cultures through the arts, music, history, and more.
For more information contact:
Camile Santana
csantana@contracosta.edu
Middle Eastern + North African Community
At Contra Costa College, our Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community is a supportive network that celebrates diverse cultures and achievements. We provide representation and promote inclusivity through advocacy, events, and club meetings. Our Muslim Student Association (MSA) fosters understanding by introducing and clarifying Islam and Muslim cultures, encouraging both Muslim and non-Muslim students to connect and grow together.
Provides representation for Middle Eastern and North African students on campus and promote a sense of community, inclusivity, and understanding through advocacy, events, fundraising, and club meetings.
For more information contact:
Anoosheh “Nooshi” Borhan
aborhan@contracosta.edu
The MSA strives to introduce and to better clarify Islam and Muslims to the community in addition to promoting a sense of community among Muslim and non-Muslim students across campus by encouraging adherence to Islamic ideals in hope to further individual and collective growth.
For more information contact:
Manu Ampim
mampim@contracosta.edu
LGBTQIA+ Community
At Contra Costa College, we are dedicated to promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Our LGBTQ+ community is supported through various initiatives that foster an inclusive atmosphere and establish lasting connections. We provide a supportive outlet for LGBTQ+ individuals and the broader student body, encouraging the exchange of ideas for campus initiatives. Through advocacy and events, we strive to create a welcoming and empowering space for everyone.
A club created to promote an inclusive environment for our LGBTQ+ community.The club aims to establish lasting connections among members, offering a supportive outlet for both each other and the broader student body while encouraging them to exchange ideas for campus initiatives.
For more information contact:
Christopher “CJ” Price
cprice@contracosta.edu
International Community
At Contra Costa College, our international community enriches our campus with diverse cultures and perspectives. We provide dedicated support services and programs to help international students succeed academically and personally. Through cultural exchange and global learning opportunities, we create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
This club provides international students a place where they can meet other students from other countries and uphold their country’s culture and, to recognize international culture and provide assistance to international students, as well as serving as a guidance to American culture and customs.
For more information contact:
Lindsay Arentz
larentz@contracosta.edu
Academic Communities
Our academic communities focus on creating strong bonds and fostering learning. These groups often require students to take specific classes, maintain certain GPAs, or focus on areas like STEM, Math, or their first year of college. Join us to connect, grow, and excel together.
In the First Year Experience, you’ll get your very own dedicated support team and activities to help you start and stay on track to achieve your dreams of transferring to a four-year college or university.
For more information contact:
Ana Maciel
amaciel@contracosta.edu
If you’re nervous about an upcoming pre-calculus course, Math Jam (with a focus on Algebra) is here to help! It’s a relaxed and supportive four-day program that can help you build skills, knowledge and confidence before fall pre-calculus courses start.
In Math Jam, you’ll revisit key concepts from previous classes and preview things that will be covered in the upcoming course. You’ll also build other skills key to academic success and connect with valuable resources.
For more information contact:
Dr. Nicole Kelly
nkelly@contracosta.edu
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) at Contra Costa College is part of a statewide program that helps underserved and underrepresented students majoring in calculus-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields who seek to transfer to a four-year institution.
MESA at CCC is a dynamic program that provides academic support and enrichment in STEM courses to students so they can achieve their academic and career goals in a STEM field. The program is a vibrant community of students, faculty and STEM professionals working together to empower our STEM students.
For more information contact:
Dr. Seti Sidharta
ssidharta@contracosta.edu
The Puente Project and Puente MáS (math & science) are transfer preparation programs designed to increase the number of educationally underserved students who transfer to four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to their communities as mentors. Both programs offer academic, counseling, and mentoring support with an emphasis on Latino/a/x/e and multicultural experiences.
What’s the difference? Puente MáS is designed for students pursuing a STEM-related major. In addition to taking English and Counseling courses in the first year, like in the Puente Project, Puente MáS students also take precalculus and calculus to build a strong foundation for forthcoming major-prep STEM courses. Both programs match students with a mentor and include visits to four-year colleges and universities, among other extracurricular activities. Puente MáS curriculum, mentoring, and fieldtrips are STEM-focused.
For more information about Puente, contact:
Jared Romero
jromero@contracosta.edu
For more information about Puente MáS, contact:
Norma Valdez Jimenez
nvaldez-jimenez@contracosta.edu
Student Clubs
Clubs at CCC are student-led organizations that all begin with finding similar interests and goals. Joining a club is a great way to get involved and enhance your college experience. There are all kinds of clubs, and they change periodically with the varying interests of the student body.
Inter-Club Council (ICC)
The Inter-Club Council (ICC) is the coordinating body of all CCC student clubs and organizations. Although membership is not required, it is highly recommended if possible. Club representatives can vote on behalf of their club, request funds, and/or use ICC as a forum of expression.
Athletics
Contra Costa College offers the complete college experience, combining top-tier education with outstanding intercollegiate athletics. At CCC, we deeply value both education and community. Our new state-of-the-art training facilities support our commitment to excellence in athletics. We also focus on recruiting talented individuals from our local communities, ensuring that our student body is diverse and representative.
Whether you’re pursuing academic achievements or athletic success, CCC provides a supportive environment where you can thrive.
Student Resources
At Contra Costa College, we provide essential resources to support your academic journey. Our Academic Counseling, Basic Needs Center, Career Services, and Transfer Services are designed to help you succeed in your studies, manage personal challenges, prepare for your career, and smoothly transition to four-year institutions.
