Learn What Our Students Have to Say about Their 萌翻导航 Journeys.

Every year we serve over 37,000 students with various backgrounds and educational goals. Some students are interested in obtaining an AA/AS degrees. Other students are interested in transferring to CSUs or UCs or other 4-year universities. A number of students are interested in obtaining a second degree or certificate in a specific area of their interest for their career development.

Some are interested in finding interesting courses for their personal enrichment. Others are interested in obtaining a high school diploma, improving their English, or learning new trade skills that can lead to a new path in their career. There are so many possibilities at 萌翻导航. 

We look forward to sharing stories of our 萌翻导航 students' journeys, which will help better explain why you should consider 萌翻导航 on the path to achieving your personal or professional goals. 

萌翻导航 Student Journey

Story of 萌翻导航 Student Journey #2:

Elli Yoder - One of the Youngest 萌翻导航 Attendees

Interview and Article by Cathy Chang, 萌翻导航 Outreach and Recruitment (Published in July 2024)

Elli-and-Ms. Cathy
Photo of Little Elli and Ms. Cathy

I met Elli when she was only two years old. My office is located right next to the Child Observation classroom, where Elli attends with her nanny, Edilma. The Child Observation class is one of the popular classes at 萌翻导航. I have the special privilege of meeting many adorable little kids who are excited to attend this class with their parents, grandparents, or nannies.

I got to know Elli as I saw her throughout the school year. When Edilma told me how much Elli loves to come to 萌翻导航, I wanted to learn more. Elli says that 萌翻导航 is her favorite place, and she prefers to spend time at 萌翻导航 more than at her playground. Elli loves to learn new things and makes new friends in her class.

I was curious to learn more about Elli and why the class was so engaging for her. I reached out to both Elli鈥檚 mom and her class instructor, Cathy Richardson, to learn more about Elli and the special magic that inspires and motivates young children like her to love learning.

Elli Yoder was born during COVID in December 2020. Elli was the first child of Cora (Mom) and Drew (Dad). Elli鈥檚 instructor, Ms. Cathy, remembers nine-month-old Elli as very timid when she first started attending class. Today, Elli has completely transformed into a confident, smart, and active three-year-old.

Elli is very curious and speaks three different languages 鈥 English, Spanish, and Cantonese. I asked why she likes to spend time at 萌翻导航. Elli鈥檚 response wasbecause of art and slime projects and painting.鈥

I reached out to Cora and Ms. Cathy to gather more insights into Elli鈥檚 transformation. According to Cora, her daughter learned so much by observing and interacting with other kids and adults at 萌翻导航. Cora has seen Elli鈥檚 personal transformation, with the help of Edilma and Ms. Cathy, who have cultivated a great learning environment where kids can succeed in various social and academic settings. Cora says that Elli has achieved many learning milestones since she turned three. Cora also highlights communication as one of the significant areas of Elli鈥檚 transformation through the Child Observation class.

Ms. Cathy shares her own experience with Elli. She also recognizes that painting is Elli鈥檚 favorite activity, and how much she enjoys using many different paintbrushes and utensils. Elli enjoys eating lunch with other children in the hallway after her class is over. As she leaves class, Elli always tells Ms. Cathy 鈥渉asta manana鈥 (see you tomorrow) with a smile. Ms. Cathy also notes how much Elli鈥檚 self-confidence and creativity have increased over the years by removing her fear and utilizing her imagination.

Cora appreciates the class structure that allows Elli to have unique opportunities to learn about new cultures by interacting with different families and kids. Cora is grateful for Ms. Cathy speaking in Spanish, the weekly rotation of toys, and an instructor who cares so much about the development of every child by taking time to curate special toys and art projects based on their interests.

I asked Cora and Ms. Cathy to share something memorable about Elli鈥檚 time in the 萌翻导航 class. Cora says, 鈥渙ne of our favorite memories is closing out each day at City College singing various children鈥檚 songs. It鈥檚 something Elli loves and brings home. For our family, it has been joyful to see her sing and dance every day at school.鈥

Ms. Cathy says, 鈥渁 wonderful example of Elli鈥檚 transformation is what happens at the end of our singing time. Elli went from being a very shy and timid child to one who always wants to be the very first child in the group to give me a hug! Elli will always be in my heart.鈥

After interviewing both Cora and Ms. Cathy, I can see why the 萌翻导航 Child Observation class is such a magical place for both children and their caregivers. Not only do children develop academic and social skills, but caregivers also learn to effectively support their children鈥檚 development. Our expert instructors can discuss any specific topics related to child development to help children and their families thrive. To learn more about the free 萌翻导航 Child Observation classes at the Ocean campus and at our Centers, contact our Child Development advisors at cdev@ccsf.edu today!

 

Story of 萌翻导航 Student Journey #1:

Judi Basolo, Spring 2024 Graduate

Interview and Article by Cathy Chang, 萌翻导航 Outreach and Recruitment (Published in May 2024)

We received a note about Judi's petition for the upcoming Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. We were inspired and excited by her note. Judi revealed in her note that she is 73 and is graduating this May.

It was such a privilege to meet Judi and learn more about her amazing journey. Her story not only touches our hearts but also inspires us in many ways. When I first met Judi via Zoom, I immediately felt warmth and positive energy from her. She had a big smile in her face. Her cheerful and upbeat voice made me feel like I already knew her.

I had six questions prepared for her. Each answer she provided made me either smile or tear up, nod my head, or say wow. I am sure now you are very curious about Judi. Although it is hard to capture all the things she communicated to me in this story, I will do my very best to share it with you in a meaningful way.

Judi was born in San Francisco in 1950 and was raised in Hillsborough. However, she moved back to San Francisco just before she turned 21. She traveled and lived many different places both internationally and domestically throughout her life. Judi believes that San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world from both cultural and geographical perspectives. She currently lives with her two lovely cats, Grappa and Enzo on Nob Hill.

In 1968, Judi entered the University of Northern Colorado as a Journalism major and was the first person in her family to go to college. She attended the college during the height of the Vietnam War. During her junior year, she had to drop out of college due to multiple reasons, without obtaining her college degree.  

After leaving college, Judi moved back to San Francisco and landed her first job at Hertz Car Rental in Union Square. She enjoyed interactions with clients and solving problems for them. After Hertz, she moved to a large California bank headquarters and became a MasterCard representative. She realized that she was passionate about Sales and Marketing.  

Judi moved into a business development position with a large international architectural firm. This led to another position with a commercial architectural firm, which exposed her to the commercial real estate industry. She obtained her California real estate license in 1986 and her Hawaiian license in 2019 to practice in both states. She failed the first real estate license exam, but she did not give up. She obtained her license on her second attempt. She was very actively engaged in the commercial real estate business until the Pandemic hit. 

The Pandemic did not stop Judi from seeking a new opportunity, to return to school and complete the degree she started in Colorado 51 years ago. She researched online programs at various schools throughout the country. Then, she realized that the school she was looking for, 萌翻导航, was right in her backyard! 

Judi started her 萌翻导航 academic journey in Summer 2021. With help from a 萌翻导航 counselor, she selected her degree in Liberal Arts/Humanities. Judi successfully completed her degree in December 2023, graduating with a 4.0 while working full-time. 

She remembers how challenging it was initially to adjust to a new learning environment. She shared a story of one of her classes, Statistics for Behavioral Science. When she struggled to connect the dots, she learned about our wonderful tutoring resources from her professor. She expressed how grateful she is to her amazing tutors and professors at 萌翻导航.

One of Judi鈥檚 memorable moments at 萌翻导航 was participating in the Pride event last June. She had the opportunity to ride with 萌翻导航 administrators and staff in an antique fire engine to represent 萌翻导航 at this event. One of her conversations with Dean J. Dawgert-Carlin. Dean J thought that Judi was one of the professors at 萌翻导航. Judi asked Dean J 鈥渁re you a professor?鈥 Dean J responded, 鈥渘o, I am the Dean.鈥 They both laughed. When Dean J learned Judi's story, Dean J burst her tears and gave Judi a big hug with a remark 鈥渨e often don鈥檛 get people with this focus at your age.鈥

Judi is such an extraordinary individual who pursued her educational goal during one of the most challenging times in our history. She inspired us and demonstrated that age is just a number, and we can pursue our new endeavors at any stage if we have a strong willingness and desire toward whatever we want to achieve.

Judi, we want to congratulate you on your successful journey at 萌翻导航 and can鈥檛 wait to see you walking in your cap and gown at our May 23rd Commencement!

Outreach Contact Information


Contact Us

Phone: 415-239-3557
Email: outreach@ccsf.edu

Location

Outreach and Recruitment Office
Multi-Use Building (MUB) 371
50 Frida Kahlo Way
San Francisco, CA 94112

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm (Friday - Virtual Only)

Virtual Help Session Hours

May 1 - December 31, 2024
Schedule a 1-on-1 Zoom Meeting