Category: People of Color

Education/Pathways/People of Color
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What Makes Diversity Count?

by Malia Koch
Umoja button pinned to quilt on wall

Seeing people who look like you matters– it makes people feel included. Many of the people I interviewed at Sierra College in fall 2024 felt the same way. Robert Scott, a student in the Umoja program at Sierra said, “Diversity is pretty important,” in an interview on Oct. 17. He continued, “You never want to feel uncomfortable walking around campus or in the classroom, like you’re the only one of your race, anywhere. I mean like let’s say there’s 10 Black people and you’re the only white person, you’d feel uncomfortable because you don’t fit in. I’m sure you understand!”

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Education/Expression/First-Generation/Intergenerational/People of Color/Visuals
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Life of an Upstanding Citizen

by Jeralynn Querubin

Vincent Pacheco is a visionary. Pure experimentation with mediums as light as tissue paper, he has developed his own niche. Moving into multimedia altered his relationship with art and with his family heritage. Pacheco, now, as an assistant professor for Applied Art and Design at Sierra College, is able to share his experiences from his art career. Previously, he worked in the corporate world as a graphic designer for Yahoo! and then transitioned to work as a freelance artist in Seattle. While in Seattle, he developed his own design studio with clientele including Disney, Elle Magazine, Yahoo! and Samsung. In an interview with Pacheco, he discussed his personal connection to his work, and his recent art exhibit at the Ridley Art Gallery on the Rocklin, Sierra College campus. 

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Crossroads/Pathways/People of Color/Visuals
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Coming Back Again: An Alumni Story

by Katelyn Vengersammy

The constant bustle of a student seems never-ending. Graduation somehow seems so close, yet so far away. Completing courses from one school opens up opportunities for more at another. Attending commencement isn’t the end because there’s another waiting for you elsewhere until you feel your potential has peaked. There are major aspects that make the years easier, faster, and more enjoyable. This is different for everyone, but for me, it’s friends/connections for one, experience with other students for two, and the teachings at Sierra College as number three.
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Across Puentes/Campus/Education/People of Color/Politics/Work/Working Class
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From Cleaning to Leading: The Life of an Undocumented Student

by Luis Antonio Carreon

The things we take for granted. In our daily coexistence with different people, we take many things for granted. However, there are people in difficult circumstances who belong to minorities and even if they work hard and excel in school, they may not be able to go to college. Some might not even be able to attend community college, which is known to be the most financially accessible. 

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Crossroads/First-Generation/Intergenerational/International/People of Color/Working Class
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If Everyone is a Nontraditional Student, then what is a Traditional Student?

by Alexa Topacio & Ryder Bouck

A typical community college student is portrayed in society as a recent high school graduate with a full-time academic schedule and occasionally a part-time job, who is financially relying on their parents. Nevertheless, as the number of community college students from varied backgrounds and life experiences grows, there is no clear picture of what a community college student looks like. Continue Reading

Community/Crossroads/Culture/First-Generation/Food/Local/News/People of Color/Work/Working Class
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Subway Family Brings Rocklin Together One Sandwich at a Time

by Ethan Yamaguchi
Subway store workers stand behind counter and take order to make sandwiches

“What kind of bread? What kind of sandwich? Would you like it toasted? What kind of sauces? Veggies? Salt, pepper, oil, or vinegar?” These are questions you’d typically hear in Subway. However, this isn’t the case when you walk into the 5070 B, Rocklin Rd. Subway. Here it’s easy to become a regular where they know your order and be greeted warmly by the Chauhan family.  Continue Reading

Community/Culture/Environment/Local/News/People of Color/Politics/Social Movements
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Bends and Banks: Communities, Water, and the American River

by CalHumanities 2022 Emerging Journalist Fellows

Bends and Banks: Communities, Water, and the American River, is a set of five stories produced by a team of journalist fellows in Spring, 2022. The team includes four student journalists: Madalyn Wright, Vontress Ortega, Katelyn Vengersammy, and Aviana Loveall. They were all awarded through the California Humanities “Emerging Journalist” Fellowship with the Journalism program at Sierra College.

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Crossroads/Documentary Poetry/Education/People of Color/Politics/Work
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Motherhood and Me

by Vontress Ortega

Becoming a mother at 17 was scary to me. I thought that I would ruin my children’s lives before they ever had a chance. Following in the footsteps of my mother and determined to break a cycle. Just a teenager not knowing myself or even who I would be. I did not understand the responsibility that I was taking on, not for just one child, but six.

I had to strive to be better than I’d ever been and understand that mistakes would potentially put me and my children in a bad position. It was up to me, and only me, to ensure that my children had everything under the sun, no matter the curve balls thrown in my path.

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