{"id":38,"date":"2022-04-05T23:32:26","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T23:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-summer-2022-volume-5-issue-1\/all-kinds-of-students-all-kinds-of-support\/"},"modified":"2022-06-15T01:23:21","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T01:23:21","slug":"puma-center-right-where-you-belong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/summer-fall-2022-volume-5-issue-1\/puma-center-right-where-you-belong\/","title":{"rendered":"PUMA Center – Right Where You Belong"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Paulina Vaclav enrolled at DVC, she hoped to find a place where she felt comfortable and accepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“In high school, I sometimes I felt like I wasn’t seen, or like I didn’t belong there. But at the DVC PUMA Center, I feel represented,” said Vaclav.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Paulina<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the PUMA Center?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The PUMA Center is the home for three college access and success programs that support underrepresented students \u2013 <\/span>Puente<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Umoja<\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>MESA. <\/a><\/span>These programs provide an enriched student experience that leads to greater success.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I remember looking around the center. It was filled with people of color, my people, and I just let out a sigh of relief,” said Vaclav.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"PUMA<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe PUMA Center builds and nurtures community by embracing and validating students\u2019 cultural identity and humanity. The center has also expanded to serve the First Year Experience (FYE) Program, Program for Adult College Education (PACE), and the Community of Pride,\u201d said Ada Ocampo, the manager of student engagement and early college experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students visiting the center build leadership skills and connect with mentors and peers. Enrichment activities create a sense of belonging that enhances their own experience at DVC, while extending cultural awareness throughout the broader campus community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Each learning community focuses on different, underserved students. Puente focuses on the Latinx students, Umoja supports African American students and friends of Umoja students, and MESA supports underrepresented STEM majors,” said Vaclav.<\/span><\/p>\n

PUMA support services<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe PUMA Center was developed by caring staff and faculty guided by the principles of accessibility, responsiveness, transparency and collaboration. The center is also inclusive of students\u2019 opinions and suggestions. Together, we create a warm and safe space for learning,\u201d said Ocampo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Services include:<\/span><\/p>\n