SPEAKERS SERIES HIGHLIGHTS ALUMNI SUCCESS
Words of advice from successful Citrus College alumni can make a meaningful impact on current students whose goal is to follow in their footsteps. To facilitate this experience, the Citrus College Foundation launched the Citrus Exchange Speakers Series this spring.
At three separate events, Citrus College alumni returned to campus to speak with current students and help them prepare for the next step in their educational journeys. They shared their real-life stories, including challenges overcome and lessons learned.
Former Student Trustee Jennifer Chavez Ramos moderated the first event in the series, "Navigating Your Successful Transfer." During the discussion, three alumni — Ms. Veronica Carmona, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in nutrition science/dietetic from California Polytechnic University, Pomona; Mr. Joshua Ramirez, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts from the University of Southern California; and Ms. Michelle Mockler, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from Pepperdine University — shared their experiences of transferring to four-year universities. All three are first-generation college students.
The second and third events in the series, "Marketing Your Most Successful Self" and "Accessing Financial Aid and Scholarships," were successful as well, with lots of interaction between students and alumni.
Foundation Director Ms. Christina M. Garcia said everyone has been pleased with the success of the events. "Current students who attended really connected with the alumni who presented, and many stayed after the conclusion to ask additional questions."
According to Ms. Garcia, the alumni speaker series planning committee is excited about the possibilities for new topics this fall. The committee, which meets regularly, consists of representatives from the college's alumni, the Associated Students of Citrus College, the Institute for Completion nd the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 edition of the Citrus View.