The best thing you can do for the community college cause

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I believe very strongly in what community college students can accomplish.

In short, I believe in you.

And, if we can get real with each other for a second, I really want to ask something of you. Something serious. Something important. 

Let me explain:

The backstory
I'm currently teaching a College Success course at the community college from which I graduated, and I just found out about someone who also graduated with an A.A. from that same college. 

Her name? Paula Pell, long-timer writer for SNL (she wrote one of my favorite characters, Debbie Downer!). She recently wrote a movie starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler ("The Nest," coming out December 2015.)

I often share in my speeches that moment when I won the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship that would allow me to get a master's degree - that moment where I got weak in the knees and wept because of this thought: "People like me don't get master's degrees; that's for other people. Rich people. Smart people. Not for people like me...but now...I guess that's not true."

"People like me." Three simple words that we know make no logical sense. We know, intellectually, that almost anything any person can do we can do too; they don't need to look like us or come from where we come from or have anything externally in common with us. 

But, we tend to internalize things behind the logical part of our brain. And we tend to set limits on ourselves based on what we think "people like us" are allowed to achieve.

My biggest aim in writing this blog and doing everything I do in regards to community colleges has always been about one simple thing:

Making sure YOU never feel less than you are. Making sure YOU never think "people like me" CAN'T do [insert your dream here.]

When I read about Paula Pell (the alum from my community college) and thought about all she'd accomplished, that non-logical but oh-so-powerful part of my brain kicked in: "hey, if she can...maybe you can too!" Sound familiar?

To me, there is nothing more inspiring and empowering then hearing a community college success story. There is nothing more exciting than being reminded that success is about SO MUCH MORE then where you go to college. Community college is a great start and it is a place that feeds success if you're willing to do the work. 

So now I want to do three very important things, including asking you something very important:

1. Thank you, Paula Pell
 Thank you for being excellent at what you do. Your very excellence inspires me, and I hope can now inspire all the community college students who read this. 

2. The Ask
You don't have to work in a community college (though that'd be awesome if that's what you want to do!) to make a difference for community college students. The very BEST thing you can do to give back to your community college is to BE EXCELLENT.

That is what I want to ask of you. If this blog helps you in any way, if community college helps you in any way, please give back by being excellent.

Don't settle for less than your very best. Prove everyone wrong. Reach higher than people expect "people like you" to reach. 

Keep going when it seems impossibly hard and hardly possible. 

Find a job you'd like to do and be really, really, really good. Be the BEST, in fact. 

And then, please don't be afraid to tell others that you went to community college. Showcase it on your LinkedIn profile. Blaze it on your resume. Share it with the world.

Proclaim boldly: "YES I went to community college and I am excellent! And NO that is NOT an oxymoron, you're an oxymoron if you think that, because...!!" haha....just kidding...[stepping off soapbox now]

3. Celebrate Alumni at your college
Whether you're a student or a community college staff member reading this, please do something to tell students at your college about the AWESOME people who have graduated from your college and gone on to do great things.


When we learn about students who've come from where we've come from, walked the same halls, started at the same place, who have gone on to do amazing things, it just makes us stand a little taller. It makes us believe a little more that maybe that extra hour spent studying might actually pay off one day.

That maybe community college could be the start of something big in our lives. 

That maybe, just maybe, excellence is possible - the kind of excellence that scares us. The kind we think is for "other people." I'm here to tell you, it's not for other people. It's for you if you want it. Go get it. 

And for the good yourself and community college students everywhere: be excellent.

#SoCanU: An artist gets her start at community college

Featured below is an interview with another #SoCanU project rockstar, Angelica! Angelica graduated from Seminole State College of Florida in 2011 and graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor's degree in art. She currently is an artist at Gallery on First, an illustrator for a children's book, and an assistant art director for a short film.

Favorite thing to do on the weekends?
Hang out with friends, which usually involves going to local art shows, concerts, and community events

Favorite food/meal?
Falafel, greek food, pizza, ice cream

What made you decide to choose community college?
It may sound negative, but I chose community college out of ignorance. I had absolutely no knowledge of how to apply to a big college nor did I think I could get in. 

I also I didn't think I could afford any other institution. It provided comfort and familiarity since my brother and everyone in my close social circle chose community college.

Were there any obstacles in your life prior to attending community college that you had to overcome? 
I was very self-concious and ashamed to smile because I had crooked teeth, I was very shy and insecure because of this, which affected my confidence a lot. 

It was my junior year in high school that I decided to stop feeling bad about my self and got a job at Haggen-Dazs so I could pay for braces. With my Dad's help, I made an appointment at an orthodontist and after a lot of discomfort and awkward drooling, two years later I got my braces out and payed off my debt. 

Through this experience my confidence skyrocketed not only because I was able to smile with no boundaries but also because I had done it myself, I payed for it myself. I consider it my first victory where I took full responsibility of something that made me feel insecure. This is the approach I take on whatever problem/obstacle I have now, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I try my best to take initiative and reach out to resources.

What obstacles did you overcome in community college and/or in your transfer university to achieve your degree?
I was never the type of girl that got involved, (I was a hermit in high school) but once I became friends with people who were at Seminole State College, I realized the importance of taking a leadership role and learning to advocate for things I was passionate about, like my heritage. 

I felt part of something bigger and with purpose, It made my experience so much richer. I became friends with people I would usually not talk to. 

As far as my experience at my university, I felt very much out of place. Most of the time I was alone...However, part of that experience helped me put all my time and effort into my senior thesis, where I excelled at and was very proud to show.

What is one of the most important things that helped you succeed in community college and beyond?
Getting involved in the Hispanic Student Association, and Seminole State Volunteers. It was through these organizations that I broke out of my comfort zone and had the chance to attend leadership retreats that helped me learn my strengths and weaknesses. 

I understood the impact of my involvement in the community as well as my role as a leader for my peers. I would also say that the quality of mentors pushed me to embrace my strengths and believe I could become an artist. 

The professors I had also made a huge impact, since the art program was so small the professors provided close attention to our progress and gave all their support.

What are you most excited about for your future right now?
Grad school and traveling, now that I have gotten some exposure locally and I have experienced artistic success I feel very confident and motivated to continue my pursuits in a higher institution.

My goal is to study abroad and hopefully receive my master's in London, Chicago, or New York. I am ready to explore my horizons.

What is the best piece of advice you can give our readers who are currently attending community college?
To look past the stereotypes of a community college and to fully take advantage of the resources and opportunities that are offered; like joining clubs, leading clubs, creating relationships with professors and staff. 

Being fully involved academically and socially is what gets you scholarships and sets you apart from students who limit their experience to be solely academic. 
I know it can be a challenge specially if you have a job but it is possible. 

Once you start applying to other colleges and universities they look at what you have done and how you have performed in previous institutions, so it's only to your advantage to take advantage. It's full circle.