Beyond Education: Grant Provides Real Life Preparation

(Crafton Hills College) - Working on campus at Crafton Hills College is a chance for student Destinique Brown to make a difference, she shared. "Without the opportunity to work on campus, I would be working dead end jobs, paycheck to paycheck,” said Brown. “Because of my job as a student assistant, I imagine not only a career that provides a good living, but one that impacts the lives of others.” Brown and over 60 other CHC students are working part-time campus jobs after the college received a $100,000 Increasing Student Engagement, Employment & Knowledge (ISEEK) grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in August last year. Brown changed her major from respiratory therapy to teaching after working as a student assistant, believing she has now found her calling. At a recent luncheon for friends of CHC, she shared her story and thanked San Manuel for the opportunity. The ISEEK grant also earmarks $10,000 for scholarships, which help students while they are at CHC and when they transition to a four-year institution. “It is always heartwarming to hear what a difference the on-campus jobs make for our students,” said Dr. Cheryl Marshall, president of CHC. “It allows students to spend more time on campus and focus on their studies, leading to higher success rates. We appreciate San Manuel’s contribution and their dedication to education.” Many of the students hired work in the Tutoring Center, helping other students. This results in a wider impact of the grant, helping hundreds of students a semester.