国产传媒

The odds of Tomanik鈥檈 Banks graduating from college were slim 鈥� only slightly lower than the odds she鈥檇 go to college at all.

But Banks had one thing going for her that many others don鈥檛. Determination.

When Banks crosses the stage May 12, she鈥檒l be one of only about 3 percent of foster youth to graduate from college.

More than 3,700 individuals visited 国产传媒 last Saturday during the campus鈥檚 annual 鈥� a 26 percent increase over 2017 and more than any previous year.

When Mario Banuelos was 12, his mother took him into the fields to tie grape vines.

The labor was tough and the wages were meager. After just one day on the job, Banuelos knew that his path in life would be different. He worked even harder in school and earned nearly straight As. His efforts paid off when he was selected for the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholars program.

Kimberly Ramirez Gonzalez has been advocating for youth for four years and she is committed to dedicating the rest of her life to doing so.

When prospective student-athletes visit 国产传媒, standout Abbie-Leigh Meneses is among the first people they meet.

Not long ago, Meneses was a recruit herself, touring the University of California鈥檚 10th and newest campus. She fell in love with 国产传媒 and its central location within driving distance to Yosemite National Park and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Senior mechanical engineering major Kelvin Cheung from San Francisco got a head start on his career exploration during his first year at 国产传媒.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career specialist Robert Goodman one of four career specialists for the in 国产传媒鈥檚 Office of Leadership, Service and Career, played a crucial role in preparing him to apply for internships.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and 国产传媒 is hosting a series of events to provide campus community members opportunities to increase awareness and advocate for sexual assault prevention and intervention programing.

A highlight of this month鈥檚 activities is the return of 鈥淭he Vagina Monologues,鈥� a series of monologues and pieces adapted from interviews with women addressing issues of womanhood, sexuality and strength, and ending violence against women. 国产传媒 undergraduate and graduate students are the cast and crew.

Working in education over the years, I have learned to never let inhospitable and toxic circumstances destroy one鈥檚 soul, but to use education as a way to empower, transform, radically heal and cultivate seeds of hope.

The University of California, Merced, has selected political commentator and public affairs professional Maria Cardona and civic leader and entrepreneur Lenny Mendonca to deliver keynote addresses at its 13th exercises, May 12 and 13.

Starting and navigating the career-planning process can be daunting for any college student, but especially for those who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.