Inland Empire student leader’s Q+A to inspire you
By Beverly Rapouw, Former SBCCD Student Trustee
This May, two new student trustees were sworn-in to the San Bernardino Community College District governing board: Autumn Blackburn from San Bernardino Valley College and Jujuan Dotson from Crafton Hills College. These talented and bright student leaders will represent the voice of our 25,000 students on the governing body of our district. We sat down with them to learn more about being a college student leader in the Inland Empire.
Meet Autumn Blackburn
Autumn is a 22- year old life-long resident of San Bernardino, California who is studying human services/psychology at San Bernardino Valley College. Autumn was elected this May by the student body to represent them on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees. This position allows her to be the voice for 25,000 students. After graduating SBVC, she plans to attend Cal State University San Bernardino. As a Student Trustee, she is driven to eliminate mental health stigmas in her campus. She is also committed to pay it forward and empower others to grow in her community.
Q. What has San Bernardino Valley College taught you that has made an impact in your life?
San Bernardino Valley College has given me the exposure to the political light which has allowed me to give back to my community. SBVC provides me with the skills that I know will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have also learned the importance of organization and time management.
Q. Complete this sentence, “My greatest hope is…”
My greatest hope is to let future generations of students know that their education is important and that people are rooting for them to succeed.
Q. What are your personal goals for this upcoming school year?
My personal goals are to effectively accommodate the students needs and working towards building relationships and friendships on and off campus.
Meet Jajuan Dotson
Jajuan is a 24 –year old from Highland, California who is majoring in kinesiology at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa. He was elected this May by the student body to represent them on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees. Building upon his involvement with the CHC Student Senate, Jajuan one day hopes to become a firefighter and give back as a mentor for students.
Q. What’s the most valuable advice anyone at Crafton Hills College has given you that has impacted your life?
The best advice I have received was from my advisor, the Director of Student Life at Crafton Hills College, Ericka Paddock, when I was deciding whether to take on a part-time job or put school aside. She said, “No matter if the job is paying fifteen dollars an hour, in ten years you will not be able to afford the life you want to live with that wage.” Her advice helped me realize that skillful time management with school and work is possible.
Q. What has been the best part of being actively involved at Crafton Hills College?
My involvement at CHC has played an important role in shaping me as a student and a leader. I’ve learned to have an open mind and step out of my comfort zone.
Q. What advice can you give to high school students who plan to attend community college?
My advice for future college students is to make time to study. You get what you give, so if you give one hundred percent of honest effort to studying, you’ll get a lot out of school. If you give zero percent you can expect that as well. Crafton has given me the opportunity to grow and develop skills that I will continue to use throughout my life.
The San Bernardino Community College District serves 22 cities in the heart of Inland Southern California and creates new opportunities for 25,000 students each year through two fully-accredited campuses: Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. SBCCD cultivates minds and transforms the community through its Economic Development & Corporate Training division and KVCR, the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television affiliate station. Through its day-to-day educational enterprise, SBCCD generates $621 million in local economic activity each year. Learn more at www.sanbernardino.impact.study
