The show provides an engaging conversation with Danya Thomsen-Orellana, the Coordinator of the Access to College and Careers with Excellence through Student Services (ACCESS) and offers an in depth look at how the program is assisting students in thriving at LCC. The Cesar Chavez Learning Center’s ACCESS Program provides student support for the personal, social, cultural, and academic adjustment of BIPOC, LGTBQ+, First-Generation, Low Income, adult students; varying ability; and other marginalized and underrepresented students groups. ACCESS provides support & enhanced referrals for student participants in the following areas: Academic Advising Referrals Referrals to Professional Learning Commons & Writing Center Tutors FAFSA & Financial Aid Application Assistance Help with Accessing LCC Personal Counseling Services Interactive Professional and Peer-Facilitated Student Success Workshops Transfer Institution Campus Visits & Assistance Completing Applications to Transfer to Four-year Institutions Opportunities for Involvement in Campus and Community Cultural Enrichment Activities Financial Literacy Workshops Access to Professional, Academic & Peer Mentoring Connections to Careers and Majors through Job Shadowing ACCESS’s primary focus is to increase student persistence, and to promote degree completion and realization of career and/or academic goals. Program Information ACCESS PROGRAM COMMITMENT: 1 academic year (Fall 2021 until the end of Spring 2022 for our pilot program) Very flexible to work around your schedule (arranged between mentor/mentee) Monthly check in's with program staff WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, LGBTQIA+, low-income, first-generation students Students who are passionate about and value cultural awareness and self-identity Students who want to share their experiences with other students * No students will be turned away from the ACCESS program. Participant eligibility requires at least one of the following: Student is a first-generation college student (neither parent(s) or legal guardian has a bachelor degree). Student is income eligible and meet guidelines as defined by the U. S. Department of Education. Student has a disability (documented with LCC's Center for Student Access).

Website: LCC ACCESS Program