At its regular board meeting on Oct. 15, 2024, the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Board of Trustees approved a $5 million donation from Edward E. Martins, one of the board’s longest serving members.

To acknowledge the district’s largest donation, the board also approved to name Chabot College’s Building 600 The Donna and Edward Martins Library and Learning Center.

In the official press release, there was a quote from Martins, in which he expressed that “education is where dreams take root. I’m thrilled to support Chabot College because I believe it can really change lives for people in Hayward and the surrounding areas.”

With being one of the original board members back when it was called South County Community College District, he and his late wife, Donna, have been steady supporters. From regularly providing funding towards scholarships, various programs and more, they have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to supporting educational opportunities for students in the community.

In an interview, Yvonne Craig, Chabot College’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, mentioned that the $5 million is an endowment, meaning, that they’ll always have that money to tap into. She explained that “the whole $5 million is invested. It’ll always be there as an investment for the college, and no one can touch the principal.”

Over the next five years, Chabot will receive the donation in $1 million chunks. Although the funds aren’t for anything specific, how it’s utilized needs to align with the foundation’s goal of supporting Chabot College programs and students. This could mean more scholarships, program support, or even new staff.

Yvonne added, echoing Martins’ intentions, “We’re trusted to use it where students need it most.”

Edward Martins’ generous donation ensures that in the years to come, students will be provided with opportunities and resources to pursue their goals.

College dining often feels routine, but San Francisco State University (SFSU) takes it to another level with The Vista Room. Located in Rm. 401, The Vista Room stands out with a restaurant-like setting that combines variety, quality, and professionalism.

Their polished three-course menu changes three times a semester, offering a selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. A standout aspect of their menu is their soup and pasta of the day, along with weekly specials, providing various options. Those options include Provencal Lamb Stew, Eggplant Parmigiana, Vista Room House Salad, Mocha Panna Cotta, and Seasonal Fruit. 

Although the food quality is high with responsibly sourced ingredients, the seasoning was an issue. Some dishes, like the stew and eggplant parmigiana, were bland, so they could have delivered a more flavorful experience. Despite being well-cooked, they lacked bold flavors.  Or how the salad had too much lemon vinaigrette and salt. 

However, the desserts were a highlight. The Mocha Panna Cotta was light with a smooth texture that melted in the mouth. It had a balanced blend of sweetness and bitterness, creating a subtle complexity.

The Seasonal Fruit was a small bowl containing pineapples, raspberries, and blueberries. They were fresh and vibrant, offering a nice end to the meal.

Unlike Chabot College, where the food options are the same daily, The Vista Room at SFSU emphasizes having a wider variety and focuses on creating a dining experience. With student servers, making a reservation, and a rotating curated menu, a sophisticated and professional dining environment is created. This approach elevates the meal and makes the dining experience enjoyable.

Nesians Unite is a growing learning community to provide support for Pacific Islander students at Chabot College.

The main goal of Nesians Unite is to help Pacific Islander students achieve their educational goals, whether that’s transferring or completing a certificate. 

Although Nesians Unite is still in the process of becoming a learning community, students have access to a large network. “They have direct access to mentorship from Nesians faculty as well as those in Movement,” Andrew Lai, a Nesians Unite instructor said. “We also have a sister program at San Francisco State, which they have access to, and we’re trying to build one at Cal State East Bay.”

Additionally, students have a community within Nesians Unite at Chabot. Although they have their own student organization, students have also started clubs, like the first ever Japanese club. Andrew mentioned that “outside of getting good grades and a degree, you have a community that’s going to be here to support you when you come to school.”

Already, Nesians Unite is a place for Pacific Islander students to feel seen, valued, and connected. Andrew also added that with Nesians Unite being under Movement, everyone can connect. If Nesians Unite or Movement is having an event, students in either program are invited, fostering more support and community.

Only one class is offered, which is Ethnic Studies 6: Introduction to Pacific Islanders and Oceania Studies. However, in Spring 2025, Ethnic Studies 13: Pacific Islander Expressive Cultures, a class that focuses on cultural arts from the Pacific, will be added.

For those interested in joining the program, you can enroll in one of the offered classes to automatically be added. Additionally, you can go to office 767 E and/or F in Building 700 to speak with one of the Nesians Unite faculty.

To find more information, you can visit the Nesians Unite page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/aapi/nesians-unite/index.php. 

Chaot College’s Umoja learning community offers an opportunity for Black students to achieve academic success while exploring culturally relevant topics.

Umoja offers six to eight classes per semester including English, communication studies and general studies, like Student Leadership. Tommy Reed, the program’s coordinator and counselor, explained that they ensure the classes are transferable. He said, “Whatever is happening in the Black community currently, they can have conversations and debates about it while meeting the course content requirements for transferring or graduating.” 

One class that is offered is The African American Experience, which surveys the history of the U.S. through the eyes of African Americans. This is the only class of its kind in the entire state of California.

What’s unique about Umoja is how they encourage students to not take math in their first semester. “We want students to have a balance of academic and experimental classes, allowing them to take classes they’re interested in,” Tommy mentioned. The structure allows students to discover their interests, find a suited pathway, and not be overwhelmed by the “must-dos.”

Students are encouraged to build relationships with program faculty through counseling or even being in the Umoja space in Buildling 700. They can also build relationships with Umoja students outside of Chabot through statewide conferences, college fairs, and tours of HBCUs.

With a focus on relationship-building, Tommy noted that it’s to help students find a sense of belonging, preparing them for success at other campuses.

If you are interested in joining, you can fill out the online application on the Chabot College Umoja page or set up an appointment with Tommy. To learn more about the program, visit the Umoja page: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/specialprograms/umoja/.

Chabot College’s RISE (Restorative Integrated Self-Education) program gives formerly incarcerated students who may have lost hope a chance to dream again, helping them to rebuild their lives.

The RISE program exists to support formerly justice-impacted students who want to pursue higher education and successfully reenter society. “We focus on increasing full-time enrollment, promoting academic success, and creating transfer paths, while building a strong community,” Eric Gentry, the program’s coordinator explained. “[We aim to provide] support through mentorship, workshops, and cohort models that emphasize collective growth and empowerment.”

Students have many opportunities to build networking connections beyond Chabot College. RISE often collaborates with local organizations, educational institutions, and community groups focused on supporting justice-impacted individuals. This effort allows students to connect with both professionals and peers who share similar goals.

Additionally, RISE offers courses tailored towards incarcerated students. “RISE has classes such as Entrepreneurship, English 1, and Ethnic Studies and they are aimed at providing practical knowledge and personal empowerment,” Eric said. Workshops are also held, covering topics like financial literacy and preparation for college success to teach students important skills for success.

For students interested in joining RISE, they can go to the program office, fill out the interest form on the Chabot website, or receive a referral from Chabot College staff or community partners. The main requirement for students to join is that they were formerly incarcerated or involved in the legal system in some way.

To find more information, visit the RISE page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/academic-pathways-student-success/rise/.

Feeling out of place at Chabot because you need a note-taker or test accommodations? You are not alone – the Accessibility Center for Education (ACE) offers support and community.

ACE counselor, Linda Phan, explained that this community helps students to navigate the college setting while learning life skills and social interaction. “They have many groups from the adult schools or high schools,” she mentioned. “They’re in a cohort, taking learning skills, PE, and even psychology counseling classes together. And they hang out with each other in the cafeteria.”

She said that they push social interaction by hosting end-of-semester celebrations and the Able Disabled Club and encouraging the students to attend Chabot events. Linda says, “I feel like academics are really important, but I feel like students will do well academically if they’re happy and they have friends.” 

ACE also provides many resources that students can access. From one-on-one disability management counseling to providing specialized accommodations, like mobility tables. They aim to ensure that students have what they need to make attending school easier for them.

To get involved, students can complete an application online and then will be contacted to meet with an ACE counselor. If they qualify for the program, they can utilize its resources and find community. If you want to learn more about ACE, visit their page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/dsps/ace-learning.php.

Movement isn’t the only Chabot community that goes beyond classes and assignments. There’s also Puente, a learning community for Hispanic and other minority students alike.

The purpose of this learning community is to promote college transfers among minority groups, helping them to pursue higher education. They aim to support students in overcoming academic disadvantages.

Puente only offers English and Psychology Counseling (PSCN) classes, but Counselor Assistant Julie Sanchez said it’s like a family. “There are many benefits, community-wise,” she starts. “They’re taking the same classes with the same group of students, so they build familia within our community.” 

Students can build relationships through other opportunities like the Puente Club, field trips to universities, and even the Puente Motivation Conference. Last November, students even visited the Oakland Museum to explore exhibits that related to concepts in their English classes.

One thing that makes Puente unique is its mentorship program.

Students are paired with a professional in the field that they’re pursuing, allowing them to get first-hand insight. Adrian, a Puente student assistant, expressed that this has been most valuable for him. “The day I met my mentor was pretty cool. I now have someone to ask for help or advice whenever needed.”

Adrian also mentioned how the student assistants were a great help to him during his first year. He said they were helpful, and he was even able to build a relationship with them – it’s because of them that he decided to become a student assistant.

If you’re interested in joining, you must see if you’re eligible to enroll in the PSCN classes and ENGL 1, 4A, or 7A. Afterward, you can complete the online application and meet with a Puente counselor. However, if you don’t want to commit to the learning community, you can always join the Puente club, which will allow you to be involved.

For more information, visit the Puente page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/specialprograms/puente/.

Starting college can be difficult – figuring out where to go, who to ask for help, or how to shape your college experience. At Chabot College, the First Year Experience (FYE) program makes everything easier.

FYE was created to help students transition to college, whether from high school or for first-time college attendees.

The program’s coordinator, Patrick Mwamba, said that “our main mission is to provide support holistically for students in their first year, in terms of like their transferring goals.” He added that they aim to remove structural barriers so that students can focus on their vision for life and future career.

Although students will have the core classes they need for their major, FYE also provides classes. Specifically PSCN, English, Math, and Ethnic Studies, allowing students to learn alongside peers in the same position as them.

What makes FYE unique is that students are split up into cohorts. The cohorts are divided by majors, allowing students to connect with like-minded people.

Even with the cohort structure, FYE emphasizes community building. “We have peer guides who are students that were apart of the program and will provide workshops [for all cohorts],” Patrick started. They also have events that students from the different cohorts can attend, such as movie nights or weekly hikes.

Patrick emphasized that this learning community offers a chance to help others navigate their college journey. Even if you aren’t a first year student, they encourage anyone who wants to provide support and be of guidance to join. To find out more information, visit the FYE page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/fye/.

Are you interested in fighting for justice as a college student but aren’t sure of where to start? Chabot College has the perfect place-Change It Now (CIN), a social justice learning community.

What makes CIN stand out is that it’s multicultural, allowing students to learn from different perspectives while building community. The program coordinator, Carmen Johnston, said that because of the diversity “it’s important to us that students see themselves part of a community, but are also connected to their own and wanting to make a change in it.”

Carmen also stated how leadership is student-driven in its own way. If someone needs a ride to an event, needs somewhere to stay temporarily or even needs help with an assignment, someone is always ready to help.

CIN offers classes, such as English and Psychology that are taught from a social justice perspective. This is the way into the CIN as students begin getting exposure to to the topics and can connect with students already in the community.

Joymara Coleman, CIN’s part-time counselor, mentioned how alumni have expressed that it was nice finding people with common interest or having the same class as others.

She went on to say “they’ve [alumni] told me that they had a chance to flesh out what they were already interested in in a more dedicated space. They were able to further deepen what they were already called towards.”

If you’re interested in social justice or are looking for a community that shares your values, CIN is the space for you. With a community of like-minded individuals, you can learn to make a difference now and in your career. To learn more, visit the CIN page on the Chabot website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/cin/index.php.

Imagine if your college experience was more than just classes and assignments. What if you had a built-in support system, priority registration, and personalized mentorship? For students in Movement, this is their reality.

Movement was created to provide a safe space for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) students and staff, with student success at the core. Michael Lai, the program’s coordinator, shared that “in addition to building community and providing counseling, curriculum, and classes, we connect with past Asian American Pacific Islander social movements.”

This learning community utilizes the “three C’s”: Community, Counselor, and Classes. The focus on community helps to bring people together while each student is assigned a counselor to discuss academic goals. Movement also offers specialized classes, such as Asian American History, Pacific Islander Studies, and English, tailored specifically for its students.

Additionally, students benefit from priority registration, allowing them to sign up for classes earlier than others.

One of Movement’s standout features is its mentorship program. Developed with the help of Striving Black Brothers Coalition and Puente, the program was solidified two to three years ago, after many students requested it in 2016. 

“Our continuing students are paired with incoming students, serving as mentors,” Michael explains. “In addition to the mentor and mentee peer, we connect them with a staff member, so they work as a trio.”

The program not only helps new students to settle in, but also allows returning to give back.

If you’re interested in joining Movement, there are many ways to get involved. After completing the online application, you can join the Movement Club. This is the student leadership group, perfect for those who enjoy interacting with others and planning events.

However, if you want a lighter commitment, you can simply take the classes, follow their social media, or use the counseling services. Whether you participate a lot or just a little, every bit of involvement helps the community.

Michael emphasized that Movement welcomes all students, despite different backgrounds. “We serve students across the world. We have non-Asian-American, non-Pacific Islander students, and it creates a rich learning environment.”

Whether you’re an AAPI student or simply interested in the culture, check out Movement in Building 2300, Room 2301. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded students and grow together. For more information, visit Movement’s page on the Chabot College website: https://www.chabotcollege.edu/aapi/movement/.