>> On live, the floor is yours, Dennis.
>> Okay.
So good afternoon, everyone.
Welcome to our men of color action network
booth.
We're gonna start off with introductions so
you can get to know us and who we are and
go from there.
So, my name is Dennis Funes and I am a counselor
here at Santa Monica College for the office
of student life and also for the peer navigator
program.
Mr. [Overlapping] [ Indiscernible ].
>> Bienvenidos, my name is Jose Jesus Hernandez,
counselor in the Welcome Center gentleman
I'm Greg bookins, I'm the professor of accounting
and I teach in the business department.
>> Hey, everyone.
I'm Daniel Jimenez, I'm the director of activities
for Associated Students and I've been a student
here for two years now.
>> Perfect.
So, who we are, so the men of collar action
network is group of SMC students, administrators,
faculty, and staff who advocate for SMC men
of color while focusing on systemic, which
is academic, political, social change needed
to optimize opportunities for career and academic
success.
So we got together as a result because of
the killings of George Floyd and also the
continuous police brutality that has been
going on within our society.
And we have been hosting a lot of sessions
and workshops throughout the summer that have
talked about a lot of things, about systemic
racism, resources as, and also how we can
best support our men of color here on campus.
So some of the resources that we as a team
provide so we as a collective are a group
of, like, I mentioned, a lot of us on campus.
But we provide a lot of support.
So one of those things is being financial
aid.
And Jose, do you want to talk a little bit
about financial aid as a resource?
I think you're muted, by the way.
>> Because I want to make sure I was all clear.
One of the things about financial aid is really
understanding what it is.
What's available to you, how to access it
and how you get the most for you.
For most of us the students that come through
here, this is the start of their journey.
So one of the things we want to make sure
we're aware of is how do we maximize the aid
that you get.
It might seem like a lengthy process but after
you get comfortable and understand the nuances
of it, what it takes, it's a simple process.
We're here to support you in understanding
what that is, how 20 access it and go beyond
financial aid and even begin to start looking
at scholarships.
>> And also within our own network, there
are a few of us who are counselors and also
helping you plan for classes.
Understanding who we are and knowing that
we're there to support you, and the whole
process of understanding what a career is,
different areas to explore, how do you navigate
classes at SMC, we know as you're coming to
SMC, it can be overwhelming, in my high school,
I was probably picked all my classes but here
I'm at libber toy choose what I want to study.
And that can get a little bit overwhelming.
Knowing that we can be there to support you
and cut that whole process out or even answering
simple questions.
The beauty of it is that we have professors
like Mr. Greg Berkins, in the business department
that can assist you with that, right?
And Greg, if you want to talk about, you know,
your experience also.
And I think you're muted as well.
>> How many different departments, so many
different disciplines on the campus, one of
the great things about college is now you
get to decide what's important.
I'm in the business department so I teach
accounting.
There are a lot of different facets of business
and so you can look in to that.
There's sociology, there's Spanish, we have
foreign languages, we've got the sciences,
the arts.
And so a lot of that is just finding out,
plugging in to those things and then plugging
in to your counselors to find out what is
your education plan?
What's your pathway?
Now that I want to do art, what do I need
to do, which classes do I need?
I want to transfer.
What is my plan for that?
And so with respect to the various disciplines,
I would tell you to be all in on just deciding
what are some of the things that can work
out for you and as you, you know, get a chance
to see those things, go after them.
Don't be afraid, get the counseling, get the
answers that you need.
But at the same time don't be afraid to try
something new.
Because you may find out you love it, not
just like it.
>> Mm-hmm.
And I think as men of color, one of the things
that we're not good at is asking for help.
I think is seeking out to, like, who, you
know, like, I don't know who to talk to.
It's easy for us, whatevers, I'm gonna leave
that behind.
Me for myself, that's something I was guilty
of when I was in my undergrad institution,
I didn't ask for help because I thought I
could figure it all out.
However that was not the case.
I wish I had some type of support group like
this I could go to and hey you know, like,
I want to take this business class but I don't
know how the professor is and, you know, this
group definitely provides opportunities because
we are as again as a collective, we have groups
from all over from the sociology department,
business, Spanish, et cetera who can assist
you with navigating those courses as well.
And also, the cool thing is that some of our
members in our group are also part of the
athletic department.
And for any student athletes out there, navigating
okay, you know, what does it mean for me if
I want to go to a D1, D2, D3 school.
Knowing that you have someone here who can
help you with those questions of eligibility
and so forth is definitely very welcoming.
And Danny, if you want to talk about your
role as a director of the AS?
Very brief, by the way.
>> All right.
Sorry, there's, like, an echo, I don't know
if you can hear me, but there's an echo and
it's just, sort of delayed for me.
So, what's up, everybody.
I'm Danny.
And I'm hearing myself.
Oh, God.
So, I've been a student at SMC for two years
now, majoring in Chicano studies, I'm telling
you about my experience with MOCAN and helping
me out especially now during the pandemic
--
>> Sorry, Danny, do you want to, we'll get
to the question later.
But if you wanted to explain what AS is.
>> Oh, sorry.
It's just, I can't hear.
[ Laughter ] okay.
So I work for Associated Students and Associated
Students is pretty much the student government
at SMC.
We handle a lot of the funding and so many,
so many other things.
It's such a great way to get involved and
so many amazing faculty and staff, especially
students working on AS.
And it's just, like such a good thing to get
involved.
There's so many ways to get involved with
it.
And you probably know by from the AS fees
you paid, when you pay those fees to become
a member, so many benefits that come from
it.
Not as much now because we're online but once
we come back in person, you find out how many
amazing benefits we get.
>> Perfect.
And also, with that, part of our office of
student life is also our clubs.
So for myself, I am a, one of the club core
advisors, where I oversee all the 80 clubs
on campus.
And definitely how to assist you in navigating
all those different clubs on campus.
If you are interested, you can definitely
benefit from.
And also we have definitely a lot of our members
are also part of student services programs,
like, EOPS, the DREAM program, Guardian Scholars,
and Jose if you want to talk a little bit
about that.
>> Things I would encourage all students to
explore are the different programs you can
get connected here.
A lot of these services are here to support
you to help you achieve your dreams.
Most students come in here thinking that they'll
be in and out in what, two years, right?
But there's a lot of challenges and hiccups
in times that we run in to.
All these programs here to make sure you stay
on track by getting counseling services, some
of them provide book vouchers.
The most important thing these programs provide
we should all be taking advantage of are the
tutoring services.
These are the first places we want to get
to, get comfortable like Dennis [ Indiscernible
] sometimes it's a challenge for us to ask
for help.
As to one place you want to be at to make
sure you stay on track and choose your goals
in a timely manner.
And we'll talk a little bit more about, you
know, how you take advantage of all these.
So many different things and opportunities
you want to take advantage of while you're
here at SMC.
You chose to come here for a reason.
Let's make the most of it.
And we're all here for you.
>> Mm-hmm.
And also, I mean, once again, one of the biggest
things that a lot of us are a community, we
definitely create a space that's a lot of
questions asked because even though we may
have all the answers -- we may know a lot,
we may know a lot, we also don't have all
the answers.
So we're always asking each other, hey, you
know, what do you think about this and that?
And I think that's where it comes to helping
you navigate the different resources that
we have.
So speaking about our experience while at
SMC, we'll kind of talk amongst ourselves
about what, how we got here, right?
So for me, I grew up in South Gate, California
which is South L.A. near Watts.
And I grew up as a first generation Latino
male and didn't really know the proper guidance
of how to navigate college in itself.
And it wasn't until actually when I got my
masters in counseling that I realized hey,
you know, there's this thing called mentorship.
And I'm, like, wait, what's mentorship?
And mentorship is just basically seeking others
help you to be the better version of yourself.
And that's where I actually had the opportunity
when I did a program here at Santa Monica
College that I met Jose Hernandez which is
right there.
And he became my mentor because he guided
me towards navigating conversations of how
do you go through your professional life,
right?
And so Jose, thank you so much.
It's really been a blessing for me.
And yeah.
Greg or Jose?
>> It's my pleasure, es un placer.
Real quick, Jose Hernandez, first generation
in my family as well.
I grew up here on the West side.
Went to Venice High School.
Ended up at Santa Monica College by accident
because I had no idea what I wanted to do.
They used to have paper and pencil testing,
they would provide a bus at the school so
I jumped on the bus to get away from the high
school for a day.
And this is what happened.
It was all an accident.
And I didn't know anything about college.
I didn't know anything about financial aid.
My dad wanted me to be a postal worker because
in his mind, he wanted me to have a secure
job with benefits.
I looked at him like he was crazy.
How you gonna think that's the only thing
I want to do?
But he didn't know any better.
And this is why we have this space.
The space is to help us understand the challenges
that we encounter at home and sometimes how
it isn't easy to be able to achieve our goals
with just what we're equipped with.
It took me six years to get out of SMC because
I was one of those who didn't know how to
ask for help.
I was too scared to ask for help.
And then I didn't even take advantage of financial
aid.
And now, I like to say I'm a pro at it.
Because I want to make sure every single one
of my students understands the resources available
to them and helping them find their desire
and their path so they can make their first
[ Indiscernible ] before I did.
And that's what I appreciate about our group
and what we're trying to do for all our men
of color.
Because I know for me, it was a big challenge.
This gray was earned through all the hard
work that I did and I didn't have to do it
as hard.
Maybe the gray wouldn't have come out so quickly.
But it did, and that's okay.
I own it and I'm excited to be here because
I'm here to support you all of our students
to find their way to be connected and to enjoy
their experience while here at SMC.
Senor Berkins?
>> Thank you.
Welcome all of you guys again.
I'm happy that you took the time to be here
because listen: You could've been any place
else.
You could've been on another call, you could've
been someplace else.
And so we're really thankful to have you here.
And I hope you really take advantage of these
opportunities to share with Daniel, Dennis,
Jose and I in terms of just what the opportunities
are out there, that are out there for you.
I was born and raised here in L.A. as well.
I went to high school three miles away at
university High.
Jose's Venice, three miles in the other direction,
I'm three miles north.
Born and raised here in L.A. I went to school
at USC.
I come from a little bit of a different path,
my parents and family has a little bit of
college in them but I never wanted to teach.
Never saw myself in an institution.
So I spent eight and a half years in finance,
accounting and in particular, in the entertainment
industry, I spent eight and a half years,
probably spent about 14 years in accounting.
So when I came here, I was ready to be here.
I coach baseball and baseball was the one
thing that actually brought me to community
college.
Not the desire to teach, but I learned that
through coaching that I was teaching.
And when I decided I wanted to make a career
change, I thought I like to do this at the
college level.
Some of the things to be aware of and if you're
interested in business, come see me or send
me an e-mail and maybe if there's a way Jose
or Dennis when we get to a point we can post
up e-mails, I don't have a problem with you
sending me an email and saying hey, I want
to meet up with you on Zoom or send you an
e-mail and talk before you take your first
accounting class or just to kind of help along
in terms of the what are the different things
that you can do with a business degree or
a business AA here at the college.
So I'm all in because this is a great college
and it's a great opportunity for you to transfer
for those of you that want to transfer.
It's an opportunity for you to get a great
career experience for those of you that want
to be in career-oriented fields.
And it's a great place for you to search if
you're not quite sure.
The last thing I want to plug is for those
that are interested in some of our clubs which
are Adelante that's our Latinx students, Black
Collegians for Black students, and I saw fans
e-mail about, you know, his discussion, you
know, you are welcome.
We're here for all students.
So feel free to listen in and see if this
is something that you think fits what you're
trying to do.
With respect to the Latino Center and the
Black Collegians Programs, those two programs
support those students and as a result they
have a relationship with us over at the business
department where we actually have something
called the career closet.
So if you go on a job interview, being one
of those, part of one of those programs or
taking a business class, you can go get a
suit of clothes, interview for a job, you
get to keep them and you can basically gear
yourself up to go get paid.
So those are some of the things that I see
for my point of view and absolutely when I
put my information in the discussion, please
feel free to use it.
I'm not just saying it.
When you e-mail me, I try to get back to you
within a day or two.
The last couple days before class starts,
it's a little busy.
But I definitely intend to reach to you if
you send me an e-mail.
So thank you, guys again, for coming.
>> Perfect.
And I think Greg, you definitely hit on something
that, you know, as a collective, we all have
different identities and we all have different
backgrounds.
But we all come together, you know, to assist
you and that's why we are here in our positions
because we believe in the success of our students
especially you here on the call.
And how we can best support you going forward.
So also, wanted to note that on the discussion,
you can just add your questions and we'll
come back to it later on and we'll answer
whatever you have for us.
So next we're gonna talk about the student
experience being part of the Men of Color
Action Network and Daniel, this is going to
be all you, man.
So first and foremost, tell us your journey
and how you got to SMC.
>> My journey at SMC.
Okay.
Let's think.
So I had a very bad experience in the K-12
system.
Especially with, like, math and science classes
so I didn't really try at all, like, once
I got to high school.
And I got sent to a continuation school.
And luckily, the faculty there genuinely did
care.
And they made a requirement first to graduate
from there to apply to SMC.
And shoutout to them, they're awesome.
I hope they're doing well.
And if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't here.
Once I got here, I also wasn't that, I wasn't
very confident, like, at all with the academics.
I had no study habits, no homework habits,
my first semester was, wasn't that good at
all.
And I really wish I had asked for help.
But luckily, I was in the Adelante program
and I started talking to counselors, I found
out the faculty at SMC genuinely does care
about our success.
Like, it's so important.
So once I started, they recommended me getting
involved in clubs, I joined the Adelante club
and because of them, like, all my friends
from there, I started getting more confident,
more motivated to try my best and do my classes
and get more involved.
And because of that, I ran for elections in
AS and now I'm director of activities.
And I never, never did anything like that
growing up.
It's huge for me.
I'm so happy I did it.
It's such a good opportunity.
And also, academically, I've done, I've done
so much better last semester, three As and
one B. It's really good, especially because
we're in quarantine.
And now, this chance I go, it's top-rated
schools, UCLA, Berkeley, maybe Stanford.
And I never, ever would've expected that.
Like, I never thought I would do those kind
of things growing up.
So, yeah, that's my experience so far.
So far because, you know, still young.
Yeah.
>> No, perfect.
And, you know, what are the tips you have,
now that you've experienced your time at SMC
for a few.
What are some tips that you may have?
>> One thing I seriously recommend, especially
for freshmen is join one program and one club.
That's it.
Like, don't, like, don't overdo it, just one
program, one club.
And just get involved.
Don't immediately -- obviously, get out of
your comfort zone, but be careful.
Do those two things and it will help out so
much.
For one, the program, depending what program
you join, it offers so many resources like
tutoring or counseling, therapy especially
now because of [ Indiscernible ] and for the
club, I know a lot of the clubs I've worked
with or have been in contact with, they are
really trying to find ways to be, like, interactive
with everyone, especially our freshmen because
of COVID.
And it's just such a good way to one make
friends, find opportunities for leadership,
which is one of the reasons I'm here.
It's really nice knowing that there's other
people going through same things as you.
It's another great thing about MOCAN, it's,
yeah.
Like, so that's one thing I definitely, highly
recommend just from first, [ Indiscernible
].
>> Perfect.
And Daniel was actually one of my mentes for
our mentor mentee, so I'm gonna ask you.
What, define how it was for you asking for
help and, like, why is that important?
I know you were upon it and don't worry, Daniel.
You can say what you want, I'm right here.
[ Laughter ].
>> Um, let's see of the don't be afraid to
ask for help.
I know for men of color, it's especially taboo
to ask for help.
It's difficult for us, mainly.
Seriously, don't be afraid to do it.
If I did that in my first semester, my GPA,
I would've been so much better than it is
now.
I would've been all my classes, I probably
would've been involved way sooner.
And it's just such a, so crucial to ask for
help.
Because we can't do everything for ourselves.
Humans are social creatures, we need each
other to achieve our goals.
So please just don't be afraid to ask for
help.
You can ask me, I'll put my e-mail in the
chat later.
Ask anyone at staff, especially at SMC, staff,
they genuinely care.
I'm at SMC a lot.
They really do.
That's one of the reasons I love SMC, it's
my home.
Every time I walk in to an office, I know
that sure, that's their job but they love
their jobs.
That's one thing that faculty at SMC is really
awesome.
They just love their jobs and they love helping
us out.
So don't be afraid to ask for help.
It's not a burden on them, it's something
they like to do to help us out and make sure
we achieve all our goals.
>> And you're also now gonna be our new Student
Director so he's actually going to be pointing
our Associated Student Government Board and
was very competitive to get, and you're one
of the 16 who are going to be a part of this
board.
So how did you do it, man?
This is, like -- I don't want to put you on
the spot but I know it was a process that
you weren't even sure if this was the right
thing, so how did you come out of that?
>> I just got out of my comfort zone.
That's the biggest, I went for it.
Like, I joined, I was in the Adelante program
already but then they encouraged me to join
the club.
When I joined the club, I made friends with
the board, they're all awesome, shout outs,
I know the president and the chair, they're
watching right now.
And so, they had elections and obviously earlier,
K-12 I wasn't involved in clubs or anything
like that, I just decided to go for it.
I ran for elections, but I lost.
The thing is, I'm so glad I lost, I learned
so much on that.
It did put me down, I used that as an experience.
Try harder next time.
And I used that.
So I ran for AS elections which is such way
scarier on a way bigger scale, in the entire
school.
I remember one, I think 50 signatures for,
just to run.
And I got that, like, in an hour because I
made the competition, I guess.
I went around the entire school getting signatures
from random people, talking with them and
it really helped me get more confidence.
And that's how I, and I just ran for AS and
it became online because Corona.
But mainly helped from, I obviously asked
for help and got help from Dennis in my pitch
which is super crucial.
I was so stressed about it.
So just obviously, going for it, asking for
help, and it's so crucial for being the leader,
I guess.
I guess that's always hard being a leader.
But points out there and friends that would
help me out.
And one thing I emphasize, it's scary but
it's really fun, it's like a rollercoaster.
That weird feeling in your stomach, it's a
weird feeling, but it's a rollercoaster.
That's it.
It's weird talking, I hear myself, it's such
a bad echo.
I'm trying to focus on that.
>> Do you think he should take off his headphones?
It doesn't work?
>> I tried that already.
>> Let me ask you one final question on the
leadership one.
Can you tell us about what it's like to be
a leader and how that's changed you in terms
of -- is it hard, what are the things you
have to consider now being a leader for the
students?
>> It is a little hard, not too bad.
One thing, the faculty helps out a lot, they
always say if you need help, don't be afraid
to ask us.
And I just had my retreat with the AS board,
they're all really awesome, it's AS, it's
a big thing.
It makes it super professional and, you know,
scary.
But we're all students.
It's not too bad.
I remember messing around during the retreat
it was hilarious, it's really fun.
It's not too bad.
As long as you, if you put yourself out there
and just obviously you're going to be afraid,
but who cares if you're afraid, just do it.
You know, really go for it.
It's terrifying but so fun and rewarding if
you accomplish and if you fail like I did
for the Adelante club or elections, just get
back up.
It's so generic and such an overused metaphor,
but just get up and keep going.
Because it will be so rewarding.
And the friends you'll make along the way
are just, it's insane.
>> Yeah, and so my final question to you,
Daniel is, how has being a part of MOCAN helped
you and what do you see, you know, from your
perspective as a student benefitting from
being a part of it?
>> Let's see.
Well, MOCAN, it's really helped me out for
one thing especially just because of Corona.
It's obviously I'm at home, I got to stay
inside, and it's a good support group, you
know, joining in once, like, it's a safe space.
It's kind of, like, we're all at a bar, not
taking a drink, but all at a bar, having fun
and just talking about whatever.
I obviously can't say what we talked about,
because it's a safe space, we'll keep it there.
But seeing a lot of the faculty a lot older
than me, not what I would talk about with
my friends.
It's fun.
And obviously a safe space, you can vent about
something that's happened, especially being
men of color, we do go through certain things
that other people went, and one thing that's
good about it but I really want to stress
it, I guess it's really good it's the connections.
The connections of the faculty and staff that
will just reach out and ask for help about
anything.
I really reached out to a lot of the people,
the men from MOCAN just for help on, like,
applications or elections, stuff like that.
Or reaching out to other clubs or programs.
And it's weird.
It's a little weird, like, a lot of faculty
knowing my name.
I'm not used to that.
It's weird -- -- [technical glitch] -- knows
my name.
But for a good reason this time.
It's kind of cool.
It's a really good, just really fun and cool.
>> Perfect.
Well, thank you for sharing.
So --
>> That's it.
>> We do have a few minutes and we'll kind
of leave it open for the Q&A.
I believe there were some questions on there
if they weren't answered, Jose and Greg if
you want to assist with those.
>> So before I begin with those questions,
I also wanted to note in the lobby and information
about our booth, I put a link to our flier
that was created of our faculty and staff
that are part of this group and it's going
to continue to grow.
We have our mugshots in there along with our
e-mail address and the departments we work
for, for you to access us for support.
As of right now, yes, this group is predominantly
men, men of color because we're trying to
create a safe space for us to help us grow
and achieve our goals both academic and professionally.
And I think we lost Greg.
What else did I want to point out?
The connection to the faculty.
I think that's one of the biggest advantages
of the students in this group is to feel confident
and addressing faculty.
I know that sometimes we might feel intimidated
by titles or by names or, you know, titles
that come with professors.
And, you know, kind of like Daniel said, it's
just the level of conversation that we have,
it kind of grounds all of us.
And I think it makes it more, it makes us
a little more accessible.
And that we are actually real people and that
we care.
>> And also, just to echo that because I think
it's very important to note is that a lot
of our life experiences were shaped and who
we are now, you know.
It's being a little vulnerable here is that
growing up, I like I said, I didn't really
know what the concept of asking for help was
and the group of folks that I grew up around
was, like, it was considered weak, you know,
especially amongst the Latino culture as a
man of color to ask for help.
And didn't really know that and being in this
group I was a little intimidated, how can
I ask for help from somebody who knows so
much oh U you're supposed to know this.
But getting over the intimidation factor was
for me, and that was something that was put
in my head at a young age, you should ask
for help and combatting that and it should
be okay, it's perfectly fine not to know.
Because I can ask Jose or Greg or Daniel,
and I know I won't be looked down upon.
So.
>> Jose, turn on 
your mic.
>> Sorry.
Culturally, I think that's the way a lot of
us have grown, as far as males go.
Pride and fearing on our own.
That's one of the things I like about this
group.
Sometimes at this age, I sometimes struggle
with confidence.
And I'm part of a campus group called Academic
Senate that is very involved on campus that
supports a lot of faculty, that supports students.
And I know that in the beginning when I first
set foot in to that space, I was intimidated.
But what I also appreciated was somebody like
professor Berkins, part of Senate, open arms
and made himself available, if I ever needed
anything.
Especially too now that I'm in charge of the
budget and he's the accounting guy.
So great resource to have, right?
So it's definitely made it a lot more comfortable
for me as a professional at this stage and
level.
Thanks.
>> Thank you.
I'd like to drop some information in here
as well and really just encourage you guys
to take a hold of it.
I think one of the things that I get because
it's not just a question of us trying to point
out to you, but we're also learning from the
students.
Jose said something earlier about, you know,
we're all grounded together.
And so there's some things about what's going
on now that you guys are closer to than we
are.
And there's some things that we've learned
over our years that maybe we understand a
little bit more about.
And that's where the coming together becomes
very important in a group like this.
And that's why what Daniel said about us trying
to keep, you know, our discussions as private
as possible so people feel like they can share
things that they're vulnerable about or maybe
a little bit uncomfortable about, and still
feel like they can do it and not go have it
travel around the campus.
And so one of the things that I'm really impressed
with is we have people from the vice president
of Student Affairs in there, we've got faculty
in there, we have counselors in there.
We can basically run a college ourselves just
with the men and the caliber of men that are
there, men that can help you.
I see my friend Vinny Blades on the line,
I tell people Vinny has forgotten more about
financial aid and how to get people money
than I know.
He's forgotten more than that.
So there are people and resources that are
here and you have to come in and get them.
Can't sneak in once every so often.
Come in, build the relationships and hopefully
those relationships are the things that help
you when things get tough.
Those are the folks you can reach to in a
situation like what we've been experiencing
with Corona and other types of things that
we've looked at with the, you know, the incident
with George Floyd, et cetera.
Those are the things that allow you to come
together is if you have relationship.
And that's what we try to build along the
way.
>> Mm-hmm.
And I also had a question for Danny, we didn't
hear about your transfer goals, you were talking
about Santa Barbara and --
>> Yeah, Santa Barbara [Overlapping] [ Indiscernible
].
>> But, you know, but just hearing, like,
how that support is so crucial, especially
when you're gonna enter a stage where you're
going to be leading campus as a student leader
but also applying to transfer, right?
And how that's important for you.
>> I'm sorry.
The echoing is so bad, can you type your question
or something?
I'm sorry.
I was trying to, like, read your lips with
the sound.
But.
I couldn't hear a thing.
[ Laughter ].
>> I put it on the discussion board for you.
>> Jose, are we able to hear questions from
the viewers other than the discussion board
or with can they open up a mic at all?
>> No mics at all, just typed.
>> Okay.
>> You're a Trojan right, Greg?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Just like Dennis is a Trojan.
>> Yeah!
>> Ay, dios Mio.
>> I saw you with that shirt, I didn't want
to start no fun.
>> It's all fun.
[ Laughter ].
>> If there are questions, please feel free
to post them, we are monitoring the discussion
board.
We'd love to hear from you.
>> Oh, my plan after the fall.
I don't know, like, I'm just trying to be
organized, I guess.
Make sure I do obviously my PIQs on time,
they're essay questions that you have to answer
for UCs.
I'm applying, apply to UCLA, UC Berkeley,
Stanford, and UC Santa Barbara.
And, like, yeah.
It's scary, for sure.
But also exciting just knowing that, I know
I have the chance to do this.
But [ Indiscernible ] to be a student leader,
make sure whoever needs help, obviously come
to SMC.
New students at SMC, what they really emphasize
as director of activities, the community that
we built over the years at SMC, especially,
like, collaborating with clubs, but I think,
I don't really know how to answer this question,
Dennis.
Yeah.
>> That's all good.
I think that's the process, you're still figuring
it out.
>> Sorry, guys.
[ Laughter ].
>> No, it's okay.
>> And for all the students out there, that's
what I would encourage you to do, continue
to figure all that out.
Some of us start off not having a clue as
to what it is we might do.
But as we get involved and get connected,
you know, things get to evolve.
And that's the most important thing is, you
know, bring it on in.
Let's have those conversations, let's help
you figure that out.
>> I see a question from Denny, Denny Czar.
And it says, is there an Instagram for MOCAN.
And the answer is no, not yet.
Because we actually just started this organization
in the aftermath of George Floyd.
So this began, I guess in early June and we
probably started making things a little more
formal over the summer.
What we are also doing, we're going to tip
our hats to those who are here, we've been
in talks to get student workers, interns for
MOCAN.
And that would be a perfect opportunity for
somebody to start, you know, a Facebook, an
Instagram, some type of social media presence
for us as an organization.
The students know how to get students.
And so we're looking for ways in which students
can go out there and get more men of color
to come in and experience this along the way.
So if that's something that you may be interested
in, peek your head back in here because we're
still building it, that could be a great opportunity.
Internships are very, very important over
the life of your college career.
>> And I'm also going to put on the discussion
board when are the [ Indiscernible ] for the
fall is.
So we will be meeting Thursday, September
17th from 11:15 to 12:30 via Zoom.
If you are interested, I, I'll put the MOCAN
e-mail on there.
We sent this e-mail to almost everybody.
But if you are interested, feel free to e-mail
us and we'll include you on the list of people
interested and that way we'll also keep track.
So I will set that right now.
>> And, can you hear me?
Do you mind answering that question?
>> Yeah, I was --
>> Yeah, thank you.
>> One thing I would recommend, depending
on your classes, it's important where you're
majoring in, turn your camera on, obviously
say hi to the professor.
A lot of professors in my experience, they
love it when we're active in class, talking
in class, engaging.
And one thing, I didn't do it but some students
in my last semester, they start a discord
for our class, so students can help each other.
Discord was tough, questions, study groups.
If you guys are comfortable with that, I recommend
it.
So cool and actually pretty fun if you know
how to use Discord.
So that's actually, for your professors, like,
a big person, like, your major, really make
sure they know you.
And yeah, I guess that's kind of it.
I'm trying to think of what else, getting
used to the Zoom classes.
Yeah, I think it's mainly it.
Just take it on and talk and engage.
>> Professor Berkins --
>> And obviously form study groups [Overlapping]
.
>> Sorry, I thought Daniel was done.
We have the student perspective, how about
the professor perspective?
>> Absolutely.
Being plugged in is important.
Believe it or not, professors get lonely too.
So when you see a bunch of black screens,
it's hard to connect with people.
I'm the kind of guy, I'm gonna invite you
in, I'm gonna say Mr. Hernandez, can you tell
me what your thoughts are on blah, blah, blah?
Make sure when you go to class, you're connecting.
Because if I can't see his picture, it's kind
of hard.
Is he in the restroom, you know, is he getting
something to eat, is he here?
Then you just turn on the screen and go away,
so those are some of the things what I would
also share, if you don't know the answer,
just say I'm not sure.
Because it would be as if in class, I could
see you don't know, you would shake your head.
If you don't say anything, the instructor
is kind of wondering, you know.
So you want that experience to be as robust
as you can and making the use of that time.
I would encourage you to meet some students
in the class.
You're meeting some of the leaders of tomorrow.
So you're meeting Daniel now.
In your class, you may look back and say look,
I remember that dude from SMC, he's now over
there at Google.
So those are some of the things that you guys
need to kind of make yourself available for
and particularly, you know, for the shy people.
You know, make sure that you say okay, I'm
gonna get out of my comfort zone just a little
bit so that I can meet somebody and you'll
never know who you might meet here.
You might have something in common and it
might take you a long way.
>> Yeah, and also as a counselor -- go ahead,
Daniel.
>> Yeah, one thing you touched up on, a lot
of people start the group chat and Discord,
we're student leaders, I know they're all
really awesome.
If you see that happening in your class, like,
definitely be a part of it and just engage
with them.
Because they could be, like, the future AS
president or something on campus.
Like, it's, trust me, go for it, it's scary
but be yourself and get comfortable.
>> And the only thing I want to add as a counselor,
one of the things I offer my student, if you're
not feeling comfortable to start that conversation,
come in the office and we'll do role play.
I'll help you practice how you can start that
conversation with your professors.
One of the things you want to take advantage
with your professors is their office hours.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Great question in chat from Esmeralda says
any advice for the first day of class?
Woo, hit that for me, man.
>> I think that's what we just answered --
>> Oh, okay!
I guess the other thing may be pay attention
in class too!
[ Laughter ].
>> Pay attention, yeah.
>> I think I may have been talking when you
guys brought the question.
Let me ask --
>> I would say -- sorry.
I would just say one of the big things for
first day of class, know that it can get a
bit overwhelming and understand that it's
not only you.
It's going to be everybody that's new to the
campus and navigating SMC.
Know that things will be okay.
You're going to be there for an hour and 15,
probably on a Zoom call, everybody knows everything,
it's gonna be okay.
You're gonna leave there and say you know
what, I survived my first day.
And then it's just a matter of asking for
help.
And if you're, you know, just being, understanding
that you're gonna come back to it and knowing
that your professor is there based off, you
know, what's on your syllabus.
>> Can I jump in there from another perspective,
if you're in a quantitative class like math
or accounting or sciences, if you have your
books, I would strongly recommend that you
read the first chapter.
At least half of it.
Before the first day of class.
It will make your life easier.
Sometimes it doesn't always work in English
and some of the other, you know, disciplines
because sometimes you may go a little bit
out of order.
But in my class, if you read the first chapter,
then when I start lecturing and I do lecture
on the first day of class, then at least you're
kind of, you're not a blank palette and so
maybe looking to getting a little ahead.
If you get ahead, it's all right to get behind.
The best way to keep from staying behind is
to get ahead.
>> We have a minute left.
>> Just want to do say thank you all, thank
you for attending, this is, you know, this
was helpful for us to get to virtually introduce
ourselves to you.
And again, our meetings will be Thursdays,
September 17.
Send us an email to MOCAN@SMC.edu we'll put
you on the list and send you the Zoom link.
>> Yeah, welcome to Santa Monica College.
>> Welcome, proud to be, SMC!
>> Yeah, welcome!
>> All right, everyone, take care.
Thank you so much.
>> Take care.
Thank you!
