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Success Stories

Student & Alumni Voices

"I'm on my way to fulfilling my life's mission with all the classes I need to succeed." Guelta Laguerre Alum / 2018 / International Student / Folsom Lake College

Folsom Lake College is more than tests, textbooks, and juggling schedules. Just ask Guelta Laguerre. Guelta traveled to California from her home country Haiti to study, and what a journey she is on.

Back home, Guelta attended a Mission of Hope school. The school relies on the generosity of sponsors who want to do their part for the children of a nation that suffers from severe illiteracy due to malnutrition and poverty. Only 50 percent of Haitian children ever attend school in the country that Guelta refers to as destitute.

The school’s sponsorship program is quite personal. Through photos and letters, each sponsor connects with an individual child. And that was the case for Guelta. What makes her story different is her devotion to her faith, her vow to get an education, and the tenacity of Guelta’s sponsor, a Rancho Cordova resident.

When Guelta graduated from Mission of Hope in 2012 and moved on, her sponsor didn’t. She kept wondering about her young student, and even traveled to Guelta’s Haitian village to search for her. With Guelta’s picture in hand, the traveling sponsor went up to villager after villager, gesturing to the picture with a questioning look on her face. Finally, a family friend of Guelta’s pointed her in the right direction. The student-benefactor relationship now had new meaning.

Guelta always wanted to help her fellow Haitians by going to college and learning to grow abundant crops to feed her starving nation. The United States was a logical choice to pursue her dream because it’s home to her newfound friend. However, a slight problem existed. Guelta didn’t speak English.

So instead of taking her first science class when she landed in Sacramento, she took English — at Sac State’s English Institute — as a second language learner. She studied and learned, worked hard and learned more. All while suffering personal loss and a sometimes-overwhelming guilt for not being there for family. Yet, she sailed through the English classes. Guelta was ready for college.

At Folsom Lake College, Guelta was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a student ambassador, club president of International Life and bound for UC Davis’ freshman class, 2018. There she is continuing her studies in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program.

Guelta has an active social life, and even has become accustomed to some American food (never chicken teriyaki). And what Guelta considers a gift from above, she now has two families. She will live with her sponsor family until the day she can return to Haiti and make a difference.

So far away from home, Guelta has found a home—at Folsom Lake College.

"Taking classes at FLC changed how I was able to take classes at the university." Alyssa Seeley Alum / Advanced Education / Biology and Pre-Med / Folsom Lake College

Alyssa Seeley graduated in spring 2022 with her high school diploma from Ponderosa High School and also with two associate degrees in Math and Science and Social and Behavioral Sciences from Folsom Lake College and a step ahead of the other freshmen at the University of Nevada, Reno before even taking her first class there.

She had initially started taking college classes for fun but soon began to realize the educational opportunities available to her.

"In the beginning, I saw taking classes at Folsom Lake College as a fun thing – I really enjoyed it," Seeley said. "After I found out that I could graduate with the classes I was taking, it motivated me to graduate early and try and get more things done quickly."

As Seeley is studying a competitive field – Biology and pre-med, working toward becoming a neurologist – being able to take FLC classes online while still in high school through the college's Advanced Education program has helped her significantly in staying on top of her goals.

"It changed how I was able to take classes at the university," she says. "I can choose different classes due to the ones I've already previously taken at FLC. I can take more junior-level classes instead of freshman classes."

It was challenging balancing two online college courses, along with her regular high school work and extracurriculars, but she made it work. She remembers, at one point, having a conflicting schedule – rehearsals for a play and a Spanish class at the same time – but she communicated with the director and her professor to come up with an alternative plan so she could meet both obligations.

Through it all, Seeley has maintained her sense of humor. She recalls posting a photo on Snapchat and immediately getting bombarded with questions from friends about what she was doing.

Seeley's reply?

"You're telling me you don't take trigonometry over the summer?"

"FLC helped me learn proper study skills." Toni Schiffmaier Alum / Advanced Education / Student Trustee / Folsom Lake College

Toni Schiffmaier had a non-traditional high school experience and continued that trend when joining Folsom Lake College, choosing it as it was the closest and most affordable option.

Schiffmaier was homeschooled throughout high school and, simultaneously, enrolled at FLC taking classes through the college's Advanced Education program. Through this experience, she found that community college also helped her build her confidence.

Notably, she went out of her comfort zone when she became involved in student government. As someone who never saw herself in politics, she decided to try something new after several welcoming and positive interactions with other students in the Associated Students of Folsom Lake College (ASFLC). Schiffmaier went on to run for and win the position of Student Trustee representing the district's entire student body on the Los Rios Board of Trustees.

When she transferred to UC Berkeley, she found she was well prepared for the rigorous coursework there.

Schiffmaier credits the resources available to her at FLC – such as the Reading and Writing Center helping her refine her transfer essays – for her seamless transition to the university.

"I think the transition from community college to Berkeley wasn't as big of a leap as I thought it would be," Schiffmaier says. "I think that one thing that Folsom Lake College helped me with a lot was learning proper study skills. One of my professors encouraged me to take a study skills class and it really helped me to balance a lot of different responsibilities."

Looking back, Schiffmaier has fond memories of studying in the mornings before classes in the Falcon's Roost. She found that it was something to look forward to and a great way to get a good study session in before class.

And for any current and incoming students, Schiffmaier has some advice for success.

"Don't push off math," Schiffmaier says. "I think that's something that a lot of students do. And it may not seem like it, but it can really push back your transfer timeline. So that's something to definitely consider, especially if you're wanting to go to a very specific college."

Through her studies at FLC, Schiffmaier earned a total of eight associate degrees and three certificates.

"You can take AP classes and college classes together, and that can be enough for an AA degree." Amelia Warzecha Alum / Advanced Education / Folsom Lake College

While many high school students struggled in the transition to online schooling, Amelia Warzecha saw an opportunity. She decided to make use of some of her extra time and take classes at Folsom Lake College, while still attending Ponderosa High School through the college's Advanced Education program.

What started out as just one online theater class, resulted in three associate degrees and counting – all before graduating high school.

"I just sort of started taking more classes and then after a while, my mom realized that, 'Oh, if you keep getting more classes, you can take AP classes – and together that can be enough credits for an AA degree,'" Warzecha says.

With this discovery, Warzecha looked back at the units she had already completed and realized that she had enough credits for associate degrees in Math and Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities.

Warzecha has found her FLC professors to be very helpful and flexible. She also noticed that there was a lot more independence than she expected in the online community college classes she takes. While some of her high school teachers insist that college will be stricter, so far Warzecha has found that that usually is not the case. Instead, she finds there is less supervision and more trust that students will work on assignments responsibly and complete them on time.

One of the many things that Warzecha has enjoyed is when her high school classes and college courses intersect. Seeing the same or similar ideas taught in different ways is enjoyable and engaging. It gives another way of understanding course materials.

If enrolling in college courses feels overwhelming, Warzecha recommends starting with classes that seem interesting and then going from there.

"At first, I tried to pick classes at FLC that I knew would be easier," she says. "One time, I took a yoga class – a fun class. And then I took harder classes when I had more free time. I took a physics class over the summer when I had more time to put more effort into it."

Faculty Voices

"College is an experience that you will gain more than book smarts from." Jason Pedro Faculty / Medical Laboratory Technology / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

The best advice I could give is to learn how to be a college student. The key here is engagement. If you push yourself to become engaged in the material you will learn several skills critical to being a college student. It may take a semester or two, but engagement will teach you how to study and keep yourself focused on your greater goal.

Engagement doesn't stop at the classroom though. Get involved with on-campus activities and use as many of the provided resources as you can. College is an experience that you will gain more than book smarts from. You will learn life, job, and communication skills; and so much more, but you have to be engaged in order to truly benefit from it.

I call this the epiphany moment. It's the moment when you realize that what you thought was the best you could do, really wasn't. I went through this myself in college and found that engaging myself in the college experience was key to my academic success. Go to office hours – even if you do not need help. Utilize the tutoring center, or better yet become a tutor. The college experience does not stop once you leave the classroom.

My final piece of advice is to never pursue money. It's understandably easy to get caught up in the pursuit of a six figure job; however you should never sacrifice your quality of life for it. Do what you love and the money will come. If you don't know what you love, get out there. Do internships, contact companies, ask for informational interviews. Of course this all ties back to engagement; if you love what you do then you'll be great at what you do.

What's the favorite part of your job?

The variation. There is always something new happening, some new problem that needs solving. It keeps me on my toes and I love it. Best of all, it brings me back to the college experience that I loved so much.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

The proudest moment is seeing my students transform from individuals first learning how to hold a needle, to professional Medical Laboratory Technologists. It's amazing what our program manages to accomplish in such a short period of time. Our program has a steep learning curve and engagement is pretty much a requirement for success. Seeing our students enter into the medical field with professional licensure and a passion for what they do has to be one of the best feelings in the world.

What is unique about FLC's Medical Laboratory Technician program?

Well it's one of the first Medical Laboratory Technician programs in California. Also interesting is all MLT programs are governed by California law, which mean a few unique criteria are put upon us here at the college. For instance all MLT instructors, at minimum, must be current California-licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists. As you can imagine, keeping up with these unique criteria brings some interesting, but solvable, challenges to our campus.

Furthermore, we set our standards very high for our program and its students. Laboratory professionals play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. We set our standards so high because as a patient you expect your medical team to be the best and the brightest, and that is what we aim to provide with this program.

Jason received his B.S. in Microbiology from UC Davis and is a State and Nationally Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

"When students get to 'play', learn something at the same time, and grasp the connection to the class – that rocks!" Diane Carlson Faculty / Sociology / Folsom Lake College

How do Sociology classes make someone a more well-rounded individual?

Sociology incorporates aspects of many disciplines (including History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Anthropology, Humanities, Media Studies, and so on) to help students discover more about themselves and how they are connected to others through a bigger picture of historical and social processes. Classes cover everything from the micro level (such as emotions, identity, and intimate relationships), to the societal level (such as divisions by race, social class, gender and sexuality; politics; media; environment; and social movements). Sociology makes visible the way societies are structured and the complex reasons why things are the way they’ve come to be. More importantly, Sociology encourages us to question our assumptions about the world, to break down stereotypes and systems of inequality, and to be active in the many ways that change happens. Being exposed to all this will help students be more informed and better members of their families, their work, and their local and global communities.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Be yourself, work hard, and don’t give up. Breathe. Connect to other students. If things get hard, get help. We have excellent resources at the college dedicated to student success – use them.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

The students are the best part of my job. Every semester is exciting because students bring new and different ways of thinking about the material. I also love finding interesting hands-on/active learning activities to help explore a concept or process. When students get to “play”, learn something at the same time, and grasp the connection to the class – that rocks!

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I am the very most thrilled when I have students who at the beginning of the semester may have been unaware or even resistant to thinking about multicultural issues and inequalities, who then later in the semester resolve to use their privilege and dedicate themselves to work for change in whatever arena they will be. This happens every semester, so I never cease being thrilled!

Additional Information:

2000 Guest Lecturer - University of South Africa, Institute for Gender Studies
2008 Adjunct Faculty of the Year – Woodland Community College.

Diane Carlson has her B.A. and J.D. from University of Arizona and M.A. from UC Davis.

"Counseling students at the community college provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with individuals of incredibly diverse backgrounds." Chris Clark Faculty / Counseling, Transfer / Folsom Lake College

Please talk about your experience counseling students:

I have worked as a community college counselor for over 20 years. As a counselor, I provide academic, career, and personal counseling to students in addition to teaching classes in the area of Human/Career Development. Additionally, I serve as the campus transfer services coordinator.

I love what I do. My interest within the counseling field began after having been inspired by a mentor/college counselor while I was a student at West Valley College. Counseling students at the community college provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with individuals of incredibly diverse backgrounds, life experiences and with a broad range of goals. This makes for a very exciting work place!

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Give yourself time when deciding on a major! Often, students limit themselves (and their natural interests) by choosing common majors because they believe they can get a good job with that degree. Often, these students don’t care for the coursework and end up doing poorly in their studies as a result. Students should find their passion (and this takes time) and study what they enjoy! It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of undergraduate college degrees will not lead you to a job in a specific field. Students who study what they enjoy can pursue work experience opportunities (such as internships or cooperatives) at the university level to gain experience in areas that pique their interests. The college degree coupled with work experience makes for a powerful combination when interviewing for jobs.

Students who are undecided may consider taking some of our career exploration classes such as HCD 310, 318, 330, or 335. Additionally, taking introductory courses in various disciplines is a great way to get exposure. Classes such as PSYC 300, BUS 300, SWHS 300, ADMJ 300, and ECE 300 provide nice introductions to certain fields.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

When I receive letters or e-mails from students who have transferred on to a four year college and share what is going on in their lives.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

That’s a tough one, as I have many. I have a favorite scenario that occurs with many students which makes me so thankful and proud. That is seeing students move forward with their educational and personal goals who didn’t have the grades or confidence in themselves while attending high school. Coming to the community college gives students an opportunity to begin with a “clean slate” and start over. It is incredibly powerful to watch these students transform and empower themselves through their community college experiences and education.

Additional Information:

Outstanding Work in Student Services (West Valley College)
Rise Above Award (West Valley College)
Faculty of the Month (West Valley College)
Innovation in Articulation Recognition (CIAC)

Chris Clark has his A.A. from West Valley College and B.A. and M.S. from San Francisco State University.

"The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers." Paula Haug Faculty / Communication Studies / Folsom Lake College

Why should students pursue a career in Communication?

Humankind has come up with some pretty clever stuff over the ages – but our greatest invention, by far, is language. Language – communication – is the essence of our humanity; it allows us to connect with each other and cultivate ideas and grow! Every career field, from accounting to veterinary technology, relies upon communication in order to function effectively. The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers.

What advice would I give to a new college student?

My advice is simple: don't quit. No matter how crazy your life may get, stay enrolled – even if it's only for 3 units! Once your car stops visiting campus, it gets harder and harder to come back. So stick around. You'll be glad you did. That, and buy a tiny stapler to keep in your backpack. Your professors will love you for it.

What's my favorite part of my job?

I love that my discipline so readily lends itself to effective teaching. A lot of good teaching is good communication – so by modeling effective communication skills, I become a better teacher. I also love how technology has expanded my discipline. Communication once took place only face-to-face. Before we knew it, we were communicating in writing and via telephone and radio and television, and now much of our communication takes place via computers and text messages. It's fascinating to see how the media affects the message.

What was my proudest moment working with students?

I have been very fortunate to be heavily involved in both service-learning and AmeriCorps programs, so I've had many proud moments with students. My students have done everything from build houses for Habitat for Humanity to revamping music rooms at The Boys and Girls Club to teaching underprivileged kids to read. On a day-to-day basis, however, my proudest moments probably happen in the Public Speaking course. I've had hundreds of students, literally, who thought they would freeze up or pass out or throw up - and that has never happened once! It's wonderful to see someone do the thing they thought they couldn't do – and to feel like I helped them in some small way.

Additional Information:

Outstanding Teaching Award, Fresno City College, 2006
International Communication Association Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, 1992
"The Native Americans: What Communication Journals and Texts Tell Us About America's Original Indigenous Minority" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
"The Native Americans: What We Learn from the Social Science Journals" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Miami, Florida, 1993

Paula Haug has her B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Fresno.

"I see the classroom as a mini-version of society: people from different backgrounds with diverse experiences sitting together and having to co-exist and find a way." Lisa Sapra Faculty / English / Folsom Lake College

How do you help students develop more confidence in their writing skills?

From the first day and throughout the semester, I take the position of “anyone can do it.” One of my first lectures, especially in ENGWR 101 and below, is about how writing is not simply a natural born talent, that it is a skill anybody can develop through practice and hard work. This gives many students who have for such a long time believed they cannot write and therefore hate writing a slight hope that maybe the class won’t be so painful. What they find out is that it is a difficult challenge if taken seriously, but most of my students tell me at the end of semesters after they took my classes that they learned more in my class than in most others. These testimonies are passed on from student to student, which gives many students the confidence they need to succeed.

Throughout the semester, many students have panic moments; this usually hits around mid-term time. Many students come to my office, which I encourage them to do. This is part of them developing the confidence they’ll need throughout college. They need to connect with their professors, and when they do, they often grow in new ways. They are taking initiative to help themselves, and this is them taking responsibility for the outcome of their goals. Many students go through their trials on their own, and while many find their way, there are also many who sink in isolation. As a result, I encourage students to talk to me during office hour. In my developmental writing classes, I actually schedule one-on-one conferences with each student for a chance to connect with each student individually and give them feedback based on their individual performance. These meetings also allow me to help guide the students so they can move in the direction of progress for the remainder of the semester.

One option I give my students in all of my classes is the opportunity to revise any one essay for a better grade. This also gives students confidence that they didn’t have to get it right the first time, and just in case it didn’t all sink in on that first try, they have some recourse. This often makes some difference in their grade, and ultimately makes them feel like they made these choices for themselves, which in turn gives them a greater sense of self.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

A new college student has a daunting transition to make, and there are several things a new college student can do to ease that transition. First, at the college level, it would be wise for the new student to attend college orientation to find out about college resources and programs that he or she might qualify for. Most students are fairly unaware of all of the things they can do to improve their experience and outcome. Hence, in my class, I am informative in my syllabus by listing contact information for the Reading and Writing Center, DSPS, EOPS, etc., just in case the students didn’t learn about these outlets in another context. Fortunately, because I teach mostly basic skills classes, I have been working closely with the counselors, who have visited the class to further guide and direct students, talking about survival skills and whatnot.

On a personal level, I encourage new students to see college as life-changing and allow the experience to give them new insights and perspectives about their lives and those of others. This requires some commitment to independence and being an individual, as this is their lives, not their parents. They are no longer children, and since most incoming freshmen are around the age of 18, this advice is significant because they are claiming their lives as their own. For re-entry students who are new to the campus, the personal transition is much different, as these students are torn in many directions. A good schedule is necessary for all students, but especially for re-entry students who have families, work full-time, and are trying to get a college education. Set aside time for your studies everyday, but don’t forget to sometimes have time alone for just yourself. Balance is key for all.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

There are two things that make teaching a career I could not replace with anything else. First, I love being in the classroom, facilitating students’ ideas in group discussion, answering questions and clarifying ideas, and generating connections between students from different backgrounds. I see the classroom as a mini-version of society: people from different backgrounds with diverse experiences sitting together and having to co-exist and find a way. Even though it is not always a happy ending, something positive can come from this situation, as it forces each individual to pause and listen.

The second thing I love about teaching goes hand-in-hand with the first: seeing students’ growth. Even though most students learn something and change in some way by the end of a semester, it is rare that there is a significant transformation. But, every now and then, I get to work with a student whose transformation is profound, and this is one of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I have had many proud moments as a professor, and what they all have in common is a cohesion in the classroom between the students and me. We are all bouncing ideas off of each other, expanding our ideas as individuals and as a group, learning from each other, being challenged in new ways, considering new ideas genuinely, sincerely, and in the end, walking out with a feeling of fulfillment and energy. This is what many teachers call the “aha-moment.” But, I’d like to extend that to the entire group because when our students have that experience, somehow we do too. That is what makes me proud to be a teacher. There aren’t too many professions that instill that kind of growth and understanding, and I’m proud to be in a profession that does make a difference sometimes.

Additional Information:

Zora Neale Hurston Forum 2002- 1st place award
Sally Cassanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar 2003-2004
English Department Award for paper on 18th century letters
Graduate Dean’s List Honorable Mention 2004

Lisa Sapra has her AA from Orange Coast College and B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Long Beach.

"I had a great many mentors and teachers along the way and now I am excited to be able to mentor others." Ian Wallace Faculty / Theatre Arts / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you feel lost, either physically, emotionally, or intellectually, there are plenty of people around who want to help you.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I love working with the students and sharing my love of theater with them.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I feel the most proud when a show opens and the set is finished, the lights are hung, and the costumes are made. I am always impressed by how much the students are able to accomplish.

There are so many aspects to theater - performance, directing, designing - how did you decide on theater tech as your focus as both a student and teacher? What most appeals to you about your focus?

As a high school student, I was drawn to design, because I got to be able to create new and different environments. I had a great many mentors and teachers along the way and now I am excited to be able to mentor others in the field of theater design and technology.

"Theater folk" seem to be especially passionate about their art/craft - does the passion of up-and-comers fuel your own love of theater and of teaching in general?

Yes, it is so exciting to see young people getting excited about theater. I have designed and built hundreds of platforms over my career and it makes me happy to see someone want to stay after class to finish building their first platform.

What was the first professional show that you remember seeing - did it set you on the track that you're still on? What do you remember about the experience?

When I was in the fourth grade, my parents took me to see The Wind in the Willows at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis. I remember sitting in the darkness as the house lights went down and the stage came to life. I remember some of the stage magic, where an actor jumped down into a trap in the stage and came back up and spit water out as if he had jumped into a pool of water. That was really exciting to me.

Ian received his BFA in Drama from NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, and his MFA in Theater Design from UC San Diego.

"Career development isn’t something people do once in their lives and that’s it. It can and should be cyclical throughout one’s lifetime." Julie Collier Faculty / Work Experience / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't try to plan your entire life. Allow for unplanned opportunities to guide you a little. This happens by getting involved in on-campus and off-campus activities: joining student organizations, finding jobs and internships, getting to know your professors, volunteering, and finding work that needs doing in a world with so many underfunded organizations that need your time and talent more than ever.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I have two favorite parts: First, meeting with students who are so motivated and hopeful in their quest to get work experience and start their career that they inspire me and secondly, networking with employers who are on-board with creating opportunities for these students. I've had the good fortune of working with several local professionals from companies like SMUD, Intel, and Vanir Construction Management who want to come on campus and mentor students with no other motive other than to outreach to their community and give back.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

At Sac State I worked with members of the student chapter of the Power Engineering Society. Over the course of four years, their officers sought me out as a resource in planning their industry panels. These students were so committed to serving their peers, so good at networking, reaching out to faculty and staff, and always created exciting career events. I nominated them for a leadership award sponsored by the Student Organizations and Leadership office and they won. I was really proud of them – their level of commitment, hard work and service to their peers and the university.

Did you have access to a place like the Career & Transfer Center when you were going to school? What do you think are the most-helpful features of FLC's Center?

As an undergraduate I did have access to a campus career center. I remember asking to do an interest assessment and they had me sit at a computer and answer a bunch of questions. I don't remember getting to meet with a real person who could help talk me through the results of that assessment. Later I found the counseling office and they offered career counseling. That experience was so much more valuable. I think a career center is only effective if there are real people available to guide students and help them in the self-exploration and research process.

Is the center a true all-ages facility that has something to offer every level of student?

Yes. Career development isn't something people do once in their lives and that's it. It can and should be cyclical throughout one's lifetime. Due to rapid changes in technology and the way organizations operate in today's marketplace, it's been said today's workers will experience between seven and eleven job changes over their lifetime. A viable occupation today could be obsolete in a decade so individuals need to be flexible and open to change. The FLC Career & Transfer Center is dynamic in the way it serves its student population, offering the latest career resources, advice and industry information.

Julie earned her master's degree in counseling at Sacramento State University.

"Get to know people on campus. Network with your classmates so that you can make friends and establish a support system." Bernadette Anayah Faculty / English as a Second Language / Folsom Lake College

Please talk about your experiences working with first generation college students.

The ESL students who come into my classroom at the Rancho Cordova Center, the Folsom Lake College main campus, or the El Dorado Center are here because of their overwhelming determination to improve their lives. They have overcome the challenges of leaving their own country and making a new life in the United States – with a new language and culture. Their ages range from eighteen to eighty, and it is not uncommon to see two or three generations from the same family taking classes. They know the value of education and appreciate the opportunity they have to attend the community college.

I can identify with their experience and empathize with them in many ways. Having lived, worked, and traveled in many different countries, I know what it's like to adjust to a new culture and learn a new language. I understand their vulnerability, their fears, and their humility. And, I recognize and admire their passion to achieve their dreams and succeed.

I believe in setting high standards and expectations in my classroom. I stress the value of education and tell my students: "You can lose everything else, but you will never lose your education." And, most important of all, I think kindness, support, and encouragement are essential.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Get to know people on campus. Network with your classmates so that you can make friends and establish a support system. Join a club and get involved in college activities. Find people on campus that you can talk to when you need help or advice – one of your professors, a counselor, or a staff member. Find a place on campus where you feel comfortable and like to hang out – a spot in the library, the cafeteria, or a gathering place. This will give you a sense of belonging; you will not feel so alone; and you will have a much more satisfying and successful experience.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I enjoy meeting students from so many different backgrounds, and I love to hear their stories. There is always something new to learn. It is also wonderful when you have students from twenty or more different countries and language backgrounds in your classroom working together, overcoming their fears and prejudices, forming bonds, and ultimately learning that their commonalities are so much greater than their differences.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I think one of the proudest moments was seeing five of my former ESL students walk across the stage at graduation. They had started in the beginning level ESL classes at the Rancho Cordova Center, transitioned to the main FLC campus, and completed their requirements for graduation. I was very proud of them.

Additional Information:

EOP&S Instructor Appreciation Award, 2009

Bernadette Anayah has her B.A. from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and her M.A. from San Francisco State University.

"Life happens. But, whatever comes your way, don't give up. It's your life, your education, and that means it's your responsibility." Tina Royer Faculty / English / Folsom Lake College

How do you help students develop more confidence in their writing skills?

I'm honest with students about my own struggles as a writer- both when I was a student and even now. I often tell students about an experience I had in 6th grade when I was put into "remedial writing" and had to leave class with several other students to learn about writing while the rest of the class got to watch movies. Then, in junior high, I failed my 7th grade English class because I refused to turn any work in. It wasn't that I didn't want to do the work – I did complete all of it – it was that I didn't have the confidence to turn it in. My experience the previous year made me so uncertain about my abilities as a writer, that I didn't want to take the risk of letting someone else read it. Fast forward twenty-something years, and here I am, a college English professor, and I still feel that lack of confidence almost every time I have a writing task. An email, a poem, a writing assignment prompt – all of these still require several drafts before I'm comfortable sharing them. I won't even tell you how many times I rewrote my answers to these questions!

My philosophy is that there is little I can really do to help students develop confidence except to show them, by example, that writing is difficult for everyone. Beyond that, all I can do is offer honest feedback.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't give up. I failed or dropped 3 out of my first 4 college classes when I started as a student at American River College. It was my fault completely; I took on too much, and I didn't devote the time I should have to the courses. That, and life happened! I had other priorities, and school had to take a back seat. I almost didn't come back to school, but I finally decided to give it one more shot. Thank God I did.

I know my story isn't typical of many college students, but all of us deal with outside pressures – family, work, etc. – and school, though it's important to us, can't always be our number one priority. My advice: give yourself permission to make other things your priority. That might mean you earn a C on a paper because you had to make a cake for your child's birthday. Or you didn't do well on a test because you had to work overtime to pay your rent. Life happens. But, whatever comes your way. Don't give up. It's your life, your education, and that means it's your responsibility.

What's the favorite part of your job?

Making connections with people I would otherwise never get a chance to meet. Think about it, every semester, I'm surrounded by hundreds of new students. I can only think of a handful of them over my seven years of teaching that I would have taken the time to get to know if they hadn't enrolled in one of my classes. And, more times than not, I'm so glad to have made their acquaintance.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

My proudest moment happens every time I see students at the beginning of the semester who have little or no confidence in their writing, but, by the end of the semester, they recognize that their words have value. Most people aren't what I would call "good writers," but most everyone can produce a "good" paper, at least sometimes.

Additional Information:

My creative work has appeared in ZYZZYVA, Fugue, Poetry Now, Calaveras Station, The American River Review, and other journals. I won a number of awards when I was a student, including a Bazzanella Award from Sacramento State.

Tina Royer has her B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Sacramento.

"Be open to learning and the process of discovery." Linda Abraham Faculty / Biology / Folsom Lake College

What aspect of Biology are you most interested in?

Biology is the study of life. I am interested in all living organisms but since I started teaching I have been fascinated by how people learn. This interest in education is coupled with my training as a bench scientist and the study of the unseen microbial world. Microbes play a critical role in our ecosystem and impact all aspects of the earth and its residents. Yet they are often labeled as “dangerous germs”. The more we understand about the microbial world the better we are able to evaluate the role they play in our quality of life. The vast majority of microbes are beneficial and just a small percentage, known as pathogens, cause disease. If we consider the impact of just three diseases: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, we can appreciate how devastating infectious disease is on a global level. I am interested in helping students understand this dichotomy as they learn about microbes.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Firstly, be open to learning and the process of discovery. Let it excite you the way it did when you were a toddler. Get involved, don’t be passive, engage your mind. Find what interests you, pursue it passionately and learn at a deep level. In the field of infectious disease there is so much we talk about in the classroom that then is heard in the current news. Everything from drug resistance, MRSA, nosocomial infections, mad cow disease to H1N1. These topics come alive when you relate them to your own life and their impact on society. Patricia Cross states that “passive learning is an oxymoron; there is no such thing”.

Secondly, pace yourself. Science classes are rich in content. Do NOT cram for an exam the night before. Disaster will follow. Keep up with the material, whether you are reading or writing or thinking. Consider running a long distance marathon, you have to put in regular training to achieve ultimate success. There is an anonymous quote that captures both of these suggestions: “If you study to remember you will forget, but, if you study to understand, you will remember."

What’s the favorite part of your job?

I care about my students and my subject area. I am inspired by Parker Palmer, a highly respected writer and teacher: “[teachers] are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students, so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.” I get excited when students see the relevance of the material in my classroom. I love it when students ask to borrow books to read and when they bring in articles they found in the library or in the newspaper. If I can play a small role in the lifelong learning process then my job has meaning.

Plus, I get summers off to travel with my family. This past weekend I was in Monterey with two days in the world famous aquarium, a few weeks ago I was in Yellowstone National Park. Last summer I explored the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A teaching job has its perks if you like to travel and maintain a love of learning!

What was your proudest moment working with students?

There are many rewards each semester. I would find it difficult to choose a “moment”. I love to hear that students who have previously been intimidated by science find it fascinating and fun. Recently a student completed the class and then wrote a rap song inspired by gas gangrene. She sent me the YouTube link. Another student was accepted to vet school in Scotland. Many microbiology students go on to careers in allied health, particularly nursing. Some plan to work in health clinics in Africa or Mexico. I am humbled that I get to be a part of their career plans. I often joke with my students that if I am their patient one day I want to know that they really understand key elements of infection and disease.

Linda Abraham has her M.Sc. from University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and her Ph.D. from University of British Columbia, Canada.

"I become energized about the amount of learning and discovery that takes place here - you can almost hear that energy buzzing!" Juan Flores Faculty / Student Success Programs / Folsom Lake College

Please talk about your experiences working with students in your programs:

I have the best of both worlds! I meet with students to aid them in planning out their courses, majors, possible careers, and to address issues that might affect their progress in school. I then work with students in the classroom where I am a part of the process and journey that they undergo as they become critical thinkers, educated members of society, and leaders in their communities. It is an honor to be able to be trusted by the students so that they disclose some very personal issues and concerns to me. I am not in the business of solving students' issues, but working with them to uncover possible solutions, identify steps needed to address them, and empower them to act. That way they are armed with the knowledge of doing rather than have it done for them.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Be open to the journey that is higher education. Allow yourself the flexibility to be unsure about your major and career and to take courses that you have an interest in. Explore options, take the classes that interest you, and those that may intimidate you. You may find a totally new way of thinking, a direction, a passion!

What’s the favorite part of your job?

I love being on a college campus – just walking around, I become energized about the amount of learning and discovery that takes place here – you can almost hear that energy buzzing! And working with the students keeps me feeling young!

What was your proudest moment working with students?

When I hear a student say that my class was eye opening for them. That they were challenged to think differently than they were used to – that they look forward to coming to class…that is amazing!

Additional Information:

"Diversity: Appreciating the Differences Among Us" - Chapter in the textbook Your College Experience volumes 5, 6, 7, 7th Concise
"Career Development and the Migrant High School Student - A Curriculum for Counselors"
Pedro Arrupe Service Award

Juan Flores has his B.A. and M.S. from CSU, Sacramento.

"You can take AP classes and college classes together, and that can be enough for an AA degree." Amelia Warzecha Alum / Advanced Education / Folsom Lake College

What started out as just one online theater class, resulted in three associate degrees and counting – all before graduating high school.

If enrolling in college courses feels overwhelming, Warzecha recommends starting with classes that seem interesting and then going from there.