We are thrilled to have Nalleli Cobo, an award-winning environmental activist and Mount San Antonio College's keynote speaker for our 2024 Earth Week events. Growing up next to a toxic oil drilling site in South Los Angeles, Nalleli began her activism journey at just nine years old. Despite severe health impacts on her and her community, Nalleli's relentless efforts not only led to the shutdown of the oil well but also fueled significant legislative changes in California.

Join us as Nalleli shares her powerful story of community, resilience, and the ongoing fight for environmental justice. Her experiences underscore the importance of solidarity and collective action in driving change and safeguarding public health against profit-driven exploitation.

Resources;

PROTECT CALIFORNIA NEIGHBORHOODS FROM TOXIC OIL DRILLING! : cavsbigoil.com

Visit: Mt. SAC’s Sustainability Website

Run time: 16:09 min

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE

We're thrilled to sit down with Dr. Connie Gutierrez, our new Dean of Access and Wellness, who joined our community in January of 2024. Today, Connie shares her compelling personal journey, marked by her roots in community college that dramatically altered her family's course. From her mother's transformative experiences to her own unique path through higher education and various professional roles. Connie's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and profound commitment to accessibility and support services.

As she leads the Access and Wellness department, Connie brings a wealth of experience in working with diverse populations including the deaf and hard of hearing community and individuals with disabilities. Get ready to explore the impactful programs under her leadership and hear inspiring stories that highlight the crucial services provided to our students.

Resources:

Access: https://www.mtsac.edu/access/

Run time: 25:55 min

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE

Are you doing all you can to support the needs of your students in and beyond the classroom? In this inspiring episode, host Tania Anders leads a powerful conversation with a dynamic group of faculty and students who delve into the realities and stigmas surrounding the Access Program at Mt. SAC. Students, Jason Chico, Jesus Ramirez, Joshua Flores, and Becca Garcia bravely share their personal educational journeys, highlighting their resilience and determination to overcome challenges such as incarceration, learning barriers, and a lack of support.

They discuss the crucial need for self-advocacy, the strengths gained through the Access Program, and the power of faculty allies like Peter Churchill, Michelle Nava, and Julie Cortez who share effective teaching strategies and the importance of empathy in creating an inclusive learning environment. The group addresses the faculty’s role in fostering an Access-friendly atmosphere and the significance of accommodations, while urging educators outside the program to be cognizant of and responsive to students' needs.

Resources:

Access: https://www.mtsac.edu/access/

Writing Center: https://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/

English Department: https://www.mtsac.edu/elcw/

Run time: 36:32 min

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE