On May 8th, 2018, APIA held a welcome reception for Dr. Joanna Schilling and Provost Valentina Purtell. In addition, APIA awarded our annual scholarship.
Michelle Tee, Valentina Purtell, Dr. Joanna Schilling and Billy Pashaie
President Greg Schulz of Fullerton College, Chancellor Cheryl Marshall and Fred Williams (Vice Chancellor, Finance & Facilities)
Camille
was recognized for her academic excellence during her studies at Fullerton
College. She was on the President’s Honor list, she won the library’s Banned
Book essay contest, and she received a UCLA research grant to fund her work on
the topic, “Marginalization Through Diction: Examining everyday
microaggressions to LGBTQ students of color at Community College Campuses.”
While
keeping up her grades, Camille also found time for volunteer work that earned
her the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Community Service Award. Camille volunteered off-campus at
Commonwealth Elementary School and at retirement homes, but she has also been
very active on-campus. She received the Senator of the Year award for her
service on Associated Students as the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and
in various other capacities. She also served as the Fullerton College delegate
for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Camille participated
as a representative or panelist at events at UCI, UCR, and Fullerton College to
provide perspectives and solutions for educators and students dealing with
LGBTQ students of color. Camille also received the Students of Distinction
Service Achievement Award.
Our Cypress College APIA scholarship recipient, Bao Tran,
unfortunately had a scheduling conflict and was unable to accept his award at
the Anaheim campus event. Bao Tran came highly recommended by Jane Jepson, a
counselor at Cypress College, who has known him since 2016. They met when he
became a student worker in the Career Technical Education department. He
immigrated to the US in 2013 and after overcoming language barriers and
financial hardships, Bao completed high school then enrolled at Cypress
College, where he has studied graphic design. He plans to attend Cal State Long
Beach this fall, continuing his studies in graphic design. He was very busy
during his 3 years at Cypress College. He became known for his technical and
artistic expertise. He also gained a reputation as the person that his peers
could always count on. Bao found his calling in human rights and you could find
him volunteering at the International Student Club and Multicultural Club
events. He won a number of awards for his activism and academic achievements.
