Jerome Samora and Mayra Gutierrez |
In its ten years as a branch campus of the state’s flagship
university, UNM-Taos has sought to expand its services and increase the
diversity of the student body by identifying those groups that might benefit
most from higher education, but due to circumstances beyond their control, need
a little extra help to get started, develop a clear education plan and graduate.
College and Career Prep, the summer Puentes program, Upward Bound for Veterans,
Upward Bound for Math and Science, the GED, English as a Second Language and
Adult Learning programs, along with the recently activated CAMP Program are all
good examples.
Last week I met with Jerome Samora, summer CAMP coordinator,
who, along with Nicole Romero, is in charge of recruitment, and Mayra
Gutierrez, Senior Academic Advisor for CAMP, to find out more about the
program.
Samora explained that CAMP is the College Assistance Migrant
Program. It is federally funded through the US Department of Education through
the Office of Migrant Education, and it was established to identify, recruit
and enroll migrant and seasonal farm worker students. Currently they are
recruiting for both the summer and fall programs.
“We provide academic, social and financial support so that they
can complete their first year of college,” Samora explained. “The program
offers financial assistance, academic advisement, paid internship opportunities
and tutoring along with getting them involved in social and cultural
activities. A lot of the students we get are first generation college
students.”
Gutierrez said that there were still a few openings both for
the Summer and Fall programs, and the only requirements to qualify were that
students or their parents had done at least 75 days of agricultural work in the
last two years, which could include farming, weeding, growing crops, either for
pay or crop sharing, and that they were enrolled in college and had less than
24 credit hours. “We are actively recruiting,” Gutierrez said. “We have funding
for 35 students and we are not filled up yet.”
“We walk students through the process step by step,” Samora
said. “We have a check list for students including the Compass Test for
placement in English and math, and we are funded so that there is no charge to
students.”
“I know sometimes students are not comfortable applying, not
familiar with the process, so we stay with them every step of the way,”
Gutierrez said. We’ve had students intern at the BLM, Dental offices, working
in green houses. We try to match job placement to what they are going to school
for.”
Samora added that some of the students have never been in a
professional environment before. “It’s their first professional job and so we
help them with etiquette---what’s the right way to behave, dress and how to
deal with that world. But probably the most entertaining parts of the program
are the field trips.”
“We are going to be offering two classes this summer,”
Gutierrez added, “intermediate math, and biology in a hands-on educational
environment. We set up experts and professionals on different sites and take
students on field trips for real-life learning experience. Introduction to
Field Research Methods is a cool class because we are going to take students to
Ghost Ranch, Bandelier, the Sand Dunes, and explore the Hondo burn and the
effects fire has on the ecosystem. You don’t just look at slides, you actually
get to be a part of it and get involved.”
The CAMP program strategy is simple: to surround the student
with support in order to make sure that they are successful college students
and they are comfortable with the process. To achieve this, program directors
work in close collaboration with other CAMP programs in the state and UNM-Taos faculty
and staff members, particularly in financial aid, CASA tutoring, admissions,
and student success.
“We all have dreams,” Gutierrez said. “We try to let our
students know that there are other options out there. It’s all about trying to
make something better out of yourself. Higher education can be a life changing
experience. I know it has been for me. I got into a program like this that
believed in me, that supported me, that opened those doors for me and now I
can’t see myself without it. Juan Monte showed us that we are all here to grow
together. He’s all about life learning.”
Samora and Gutierrez both attribute much of their personal and
programmatic success to program head Juan Montes, calling him a mentor and a
role model. Both agreed that he has a way of pushing students out of their
comfort zone, but always with respect and caring.
“I don’t know where I would be today if it hadn’t been for
Juan,” Gutierrez said
“Juan has always treated me as an adult and as a
professional,” Samora added. “And when somebody treats you like that, that’s
what you tend to become.”
To find out more about the Summer and Fall CAMP programs,
call 575 737-3720, 575 737-3721, or just stop by 114 Civic Plaza Drive.
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