CARE Newsletter

Fall 2021 - EOPS - Los Angeles City College

We Are Back on Campus!

Hello CARE Students,

We are back on campus! As all students, staff and faculty, we too are adjusting to being back on campus. The office is open every day and we are here to serve you. Safety is our priority when we think of our students which means that workshops/activities remain virtual and submission of any CARE forms may be done via email but the advantage is that you now have an option. If you would rather visit us in person, we are located in the EOPS Office on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Building. The office is open from 8am - 6pm on Mon - Thurs. and from 8am - 2pm on Fridays. Welcome Back!

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We Welcome Ms. Niki Dixon as the new Dean for EOPS/CARE/NextUp

Ms. Niki Dixon has over 19 years of innovative and student-centered leadership in the non-profit sector and higher education. Ms. Dixon served as the Pasadena City College Director of EOPS/CARE/NEXTUP and Foster Youth Programs (e.g. STARS Foster Youth Programs/Student Equity, Foster Kinship Care Education (FKCE)) at Pasadena City College since 2014. In this role she led a model EOPS/CARE/NextUp program, increasing the enrollment, success, and graduation rates of low-income, first-generation, and current and former foster youth students. Ms. Dixon was a leader in the TRIO community, serving thousands of middle and high school students, as the TRIO Talent Search Director at Pasadena City College and California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Prior to joining the CCC system, Ms. Dixon worked at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in the Department of Student Outreach and Recruitment Services for almost ten years in a number of roles, including, Outreach Recruiter, Gear-Up Coordinator, and TRIO Talent Search Director. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, relaxing, and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Dixon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Masters of Public Administration (MPA) at California State University, Northridge. We are delighted to have Dean Dixon as our EOPS leader and team member!

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Student Highlights

My name is Claudia Montalvan; I am a nontraditional first-generation college student. I couldn’t attend college after high school due to my father’s deportation. I had to help my mom pay the rent and bills. Later, I became a mother to a beautiful girl who is now 11 years old. Being a mother is what motivated me to pursue higher education. Los Angeles City College has been home to me, offering many programs such as EOPS/CARE. Returning to school after seven years as a single mother was not easy. Many times, I felt insecure about myself and my abilities. I felt that I was not good enough because I was “different.” Luckily, I found the EOPS/CARE program that supported me with tutoring, book and food vouchers, transportation tokens, school supplies, and outstanding counseling support.

I am thankful to the EOPS/CARE program for making my higher education journey possible and easier to pursue. I am grateful that I was part of the CARE program because it was impossible to continue my education without any support as a single mother, non-traditional, first-generation college student. The group counseling sessions offered by the CARE Program were beneficial to my personal and educational growth. I made connections with the EOPS team, counselor Luísa Cortez -Ortiz, and CARE Assistant Coordinator, Annet Estrella-Torres… who offered me support and sympathy through my LACC Journey.

My educational accomplishments are the following:

Associate of Arts in Psychology and Human Services - Los Angeles City College

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - CSU Dominguez Hills

Master of Science in General Counseling (in progress) -Mount Saint Mary's University

I am currently working at Los Angeles city college as a Student Intern as a Career Guidance Counselor assistant. Getting the experience to support students the way the Care program supported me, is my happiness.

My advice for current CARE Students/Single Parents

When you feel like giving up, stop, breathe, and keep going.
Choose progress over perfection.
Be patient and kind with yourself as you grow in the same way you are kind towards others.
Don’t be afraid to define success for yourself, even if it looks different from what others are doing.

Build yourself a community to help support you through your journey! Always remember that you are never alone, and there are support systems around you. Join clubs or extracurriculars to help find a group of people that make you feel heard.

Best,

Claudia Montalvan

Success Coach GEAR UP 4 LA

Los Angeles City College

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Meet Charnnel Ellis, our new CARE Counselor!

Charnnel Ellis has over 6 years’ experience working in various community college districts including; Antelope Valley College, Bakersfield Community College, San Bernardino Valley Community College and most recently Los Angeles City College. During her time working as a counselor Charnnel has worked in General Counseling, EOPS, UMOJA, Dual Enrollment, Inmate reform, Transfer Center, and has taught classes in Human Development, Career Development, Psychology, and Educational Planning. Ms. Ellis has a passion for working with underserved and underrepresented students and was responsible for training and educating adjunct and full-time counselors at Antelope Valley College on transcripts evaluations, including in-state, out-of-state and international evaluations. She created the first transcript evaluation manual for training all counselors at AVC. Ms. Ellis is passionate about using her positive attitude to encourage students to work hard and succeed at any career and academic goal they desire. Charnnel is inspired daily by her non-profit organization aimed at supporting underserved minority students in the community college district. In her free time, Charnnel likes to dance, relax on the beach, and she enjoys spending time with family and friends. We welcome Charnnel and are excited to have her as part of the EOPS/CARE team!

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Meet Stacey Argueta, CARE Intern

Hello, my name is Stacey Argueta and I'm an EOPS/CARE Intern at LACC. Just a little but about me: I am a first-generation, Latina student who was born and raised in Los Angeles,CA. After high school I attended UC Davis, where I double majored in Human Development and Psychology, with a minor in Education. After graduating from UC Davis, I have worked as a Children's Social Worker and as a Substitute Teacher. Currently, I am a graduate student at USC Rossier School of Education in the Educational Counseling program because I want to become an academic counselor or advisor. I have a passion for helping students feel empowered so that they may achieve their goals. As an EOPS/CARE intern, I feel that I will be able to help make a difference for students by helping them, as well as gain valuable knowledge and experience.

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Working Together

A heartfelt appreciation goes out to some community and on-campus partnerships that have empowered and motivated CARE students by providing support, school supplies, gift card donations, and free services!

Sister Angel Foundation for Education

Harriett Buhai Family Law Center

East West Bank

Guardian Scholars/Next Up

CalWORKs

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School Supplies for CARE Students and their Children

Donated by Sister Angel Foundation for Education

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Harriett Buhai Family Law Center

In collaboration and support from CalWORKs, the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law donated their time to provide family law workshops for CARE and CalWORKs students. Thank you!

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Friendsgiving Event

In collaboration with Guardian Scholars and NextUp, CARE participated in a Friendsgiving event on campus!. Thank you - Guardian Scholars/NextUp for including us in all the fun!

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month