Empowering through mentoring with the Cesar Chavez Center

By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter

LCC offers many different mentorship opportunities through the Office of Empowerment’s Cesar E. Chavez Multicultural Center. Every mentorship program provides a culturally aware space for students of color at LCC where they can meet with mentors that share insights based on their own academic and career trajectories and provide connections to others in the community. Students are able to connect with their mentors at the monthly Next Level Networking sessions. Here are the different programs students can join:

Women Inspiring Scholarship Through Empowerment (WISE): WISE is a program designed for women of color to unlock their true potential and thrive personally, academic and professionally. WISE enables women of color to be taken seriously and advance in their academic and professional careers as, historically, the voices of women of color have not been listened to as much as their white counterparts in the United States.

In this program, women of color can connect with one another and create a sense of community. WISE engages in various topics focused on the experiences of women of color such as goal setting, networking, experiencing microaggressions and resisting imposter syndrome.

Denise Pringle is a mentor for WISE and describes how rewarding being a mentor has been. “Being a mentor has been empowering for me,” she said. “During my college years, I often wished I had access to mentorship opportunities like this, but such programs were not available. Being able to give back and support others as they navigate their college journey is deeply fulfilling.” Interested students can fill out the Program Interest Form on the WISE webpage.

Men About Progress (MAP): The MAP program is designed to support men of color throughout their college journey. Every month, MAP members meet and participate in various topics that resonate with the experiences of men of color. Some of these topics include goal setting, networking and more.

Lola Olusie, a mentor for the program, spoke about assisting a student who did not feel comfortable speaking up or asking for help. “Through group discussions and mentoring, he gained confidence and started participating in classroom activities,” Olusie said. “I have also seen students who have used what they learned during their time in the program to improve personal and professional relationships, balance work and school, and develop a stronger sense of self.”

Olusie loves his mentorship role with MAP. “What I love most about Men of Progress is the sense of brotherhood and accountability it creates,” Olusie said. “It is a space where students feel seen and encouraged to grow.” Olusie has seen students go from feeling isolated or unsure of themselves to confidently owning their goals. To him, it is super rewarding. To join the MAP mentorship program, students can complete the Program Interest Form located on their webpage.

Latinos United with Energy, Respect and Pride (LUCERO): LUCERO is a mentorship program designed to foster a positive and inclusive environment on campus for Latino/a/x students. Students in LUCERO can navigate the cultural differences they face and find a community that celebrates a common Latinx heritage.

LUCERO members engage monthly with their mentors and discuss how to overcome barriers on the way to achieving their goals.

Sarah Ortiz is the manager of enrollment support services at LCC, and she used to be a part of LUCERO herself. When Ortiz attended LCC as a student, LUCERO was located on the third floor of the Gannon Building, “Everyone in the center was very helpful, kind and would ask questions to get to know you,” Ortiz said. Ortiz also spoke about being a first-generation student. “It was nice to have others around that shared similar stories about not knowing where or what to do about their academic journey due to not having parents that attended school,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz’s life changed in many ways after joining the program. “I was able to get a scholarship and get the help I needed with math,” Ortiz said. “I remember being conflicted about applying to the Japan immersion internship program here at LCC due to not having money. Felipe [Lopez Sustaita, the former coordinator for LUCERO] encouraged me to apply for a scholarship that was being offered through LCC.” With Lopez Sustaita’s encouragement, Ortiz applied for the scholarship and got accepted into the program. “I was able to travel to Japan that year and it was an incredible experience,” Ortiz said. To Ortiz, the program is important because it creates a sense of belonging and makes students feel welcome. To join the LUCERO mentorship program, students can fill out a Program Internship Form located on the LUCERO webpage.

All of these programs align with the LCC mission statement to “equip and empower a diverse community of learners to complete their educational goals while becoming engaged global citizens.” These programs allow a space for students of all backgrounds to create a sense of community, provide support with one another and set up success for their future after college.