Welcome Reception and APIA Scholarships

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.