ElCo Chats

Vilma Fuentes is a counselor and former coordinator for El Camino’s Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) Program. One-on-one meetings with advisers are a key part of the program, along with support such as meal cards, affordable housing and job referrals, and workshops on various topics that help formerly incarcerated students reacclimate into society and education. Janet Carra...

California Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian talks about how El Camino College – and all the California Community Colleges – offer students an accessible and excellent education. Her best advice for prospective students? “Do it now. Now is the right time for you to go to the El Camino website and look at how El Camino can really help you take the next step. Don’t overthink it. Just...

As the coordinator of the Basic Needs Center, Sharonda Barksdale makes sure students have access to food, housing, transportation, and clothing so they can focus on classes. Students enrolled in at least one unit can get personalized basic needs assistance and access to CalFresh, Metro U-Pass, Warrior Pantry, and the Warrior Closet, which Sharonda opened in 2018 to offer new/gently used clothing a...

Delfino Camacho is a current journalism/communication major who is giving college another chance after joining the workforce for several years following his high school graduation. With support from family, El Camino, and a scholarship from NBCU Academy, he is working toward transferring to a university and pursuing a journalism career. He said coming back to El Camino after a break in his educati...

Dr. René Lozano, El Camino’s transfer center coordinator and counselor, helps students use El Camino as a springboard to the university of their dreams. He lets students know that becoming transfer-ready starts with their very first class – it’s never too early to be aware of all the options available. Students can learn more about universities, take tours, meet with alumni, and find help with the...

El Camino alumna LaTanya King is proud of the progress she’s made in her education. Her comeback, as she calls it, was possible thanks to key players at El Camino who guided her. Professors, counselors, staff members – King had a strong support system in place that led to her ECC graduation and put her on a path to UCLA where she is now majoring in political science and African American studies.