Native American Back to School Supply Drive Thru
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Porterville College provided online instruction and virtual services during the 2020-2021 academic year. The Native American Welcome Back Orientation was held virtually to help students get acclimated to the new semester by providing information on the resources and services available. It was followed by a backpack and school supply drive thru the next day where free supplies were handed out to students.
Fresno State Outreach Workshop
Fresno State's Outreach Counselor Amber Esquivel hosted a virtual workshop to provide information on the resources available at Fresno State. The Fresno State Native American Initiative provides support to foster success for Native American students. Students are encouraged to transfer to a four-year university after they graduate from Porterville College to continue their education and earn a Bachelor's degree.
Native American Heritage Month - November 2020
November celebrates Native American Heritage Month where the Native American culture is recognized and celebrated. Porterville College hosted a virtual event to highlight students cultural practices like basket weaving and story telling as well as providing services available in the community. The event was a great way for community members to gather together to celebrate their cultural traditions.
End of the Year Virtual Celebration & Drive-Thru
Graduating Native American students participated in a virtual zoom celebration and drive-thru event to celebrate their accomplishments. The Native American Club Treasurer and graduating student, Robert Wright, gifted sage and dream catchers to his fellow graduating peers as a gift. Tule River members and education advocates Ron Carrillo and Neil Peyron joined the celebration to congratulate graduating students.
2020-2021 Graduates
- Katrina Carrillo - Liberal Arts and Humanities AA , English AA-T
- Lainey Garcia - Biological & Physical Science AA
- Daniel Gutierrez - Administration of Justice CA
- Laura Soto - Child Development AA, Child Development Teacher Permit CA
- Robert Wright - Agriculture Production AA, Agribusiness AS-T, Political Science AA-T
- Luz Bedolla, History AA-T
- Emily Chapman, Biological and Physical Science AA
- Alicia Dabney, Public Safety and Administration of Justice AS-T
- Misty Handley, Biological and Physical Science AA
- Sean Good, Mathematics AS-T
- Christopher Jackson, Public Safety AS
- Bianca Kates, Social Science AA
- Joseph Sims, Social Science AA, Liberal Arts AA, Philosophy AA-T
- Amanda Wilson, Early Childhood Education AA-T, Child Development Teacher Permit CA, Child Development Associate Teacher Permit CA
- Celena Woods, Psychiatric Technology Nurse CA
Maria Roman's Retirement
Maria Roman, the Native American Club Advisor, retired at the end of the Spring 2021 semester. During the End of the Year Celebration, students, staff, and community members had the opportunity to give their best retirement wishes. Maria served Porterville College for almost thirty-two years in various departments where she dedicated her love and passion for serving students. In her last position, she was a faculty counselor for Veteran and Native American students. Maria will continue to teach Student Success courses at Porterville College but is excited to have time off to spend with her loved ones. Maria's love and dedication to students is truly amazing and she will be missed by everyone at Porterville College.
If you have questions about the support services offered for Native American students, please contact jacqueline.escareno@portervillecollege.edu
Credits:
Created with an image by stevensokulski - "graduates graduation cap and gown"