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El Camino College's "ElCo Chats" podcast series shares inspiring stories of student success as told by our own students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Discover what El Camino has to offer through the experiences of those who achieved their goals or are continuing their journey, and hear from those who helped guide them on a path to success.
25 Episodes
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When student veteran Daniel Contreras decided to enroll in college after serving in the U.S. Army, he started by taking a walk around El Camino. He found the Veterans Services Office and realized he would not be alone on his academic journey. Through the Veteran’s Resources Center, he found assistance with his education benefits, along with a welcoming community where he is among others with similar experiences.
Alexis returned to El Camino for a career change. After earning two degrees at ECC and a bachelor’s degree, she landed a great job in media. Soon, she recognized her passion for working in education. She is back at El Camino pursuing a degree and career in teaching. Her advice to others in the same position? “Switch it if you need to! You want something that's going to bring you a lot of joy to keep you going every day.”
Jason Barquero, El Camino’s dean of workforce readiness & student life, is focused on putting students to work. A big part of this is providing access and opening doors to employment options in all kinds of businesses and industries so students can pursue the career of their dreams. He also shares information about Intern South Bay, ECC’s first signature internship program that launched in summer 2025.
El Camino alumna, professor of communication studies and assistant director of forensics Brittany Hubble shares her experiences at the college, with a focus on her involvement with the powerhouse speech and debate team. With her unique perspective as both a student and an instructor, she advises students to experience as much as possible outside of class and get to know others in the college community.
MANA coordinator Mele Makalo and alumna Fine Tuitupou share how the program guides Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian, and Native American students through the college experience, from enrollment through graduation. Community is key, they said – MANA offers a place to call home. Mele added that one-on-one services such as academic and social interactions, career development, graduation/transfer assistance, and mentorship make all the difference. Fine, also a recent UC Berkeley grad, said MANA helped shape her future; she appreciated being a part of a community where she felt seen and heard.
As ECC’s LGBTQIA+ Student Success Coordinator, Kenny Simkins wants to make sure all students, faculty and staff feel welcome on campus. He invites everyone to visit the new Pride Center and plans workshops and activities inspired by student feedback so that programming meets their needs. An advocate for higher education, he also encourages prospective students to enroll at El Camino: “Come as you are … there’s a place for you on this campus.”
Emily Torres is a junior at Gardena High who also takes classes at El Camino through the college’s dual enrollment program. The first-gen biology major plans to earn an associate degree at the same time she graduates from high school – with no enrollment fees. Her schedule is challenging, but she says her classes are interesting and supportive professors and staff members help her navigate the college experience.
In her role as coordinator of the Immigrant Student Success program, Josefina Cruz Molina works to provide services and events that help immigrant and undocumented students navigate El Camino and life beyond the classroom. She makes sure students are successful in college and helps them access important resources including financial aid, scholarships, transfer assistance, basic needs support and more.
El Camino grads Cameron Delahoussaye and Yemsrach Burka found community and support through Umoja-Project Success. Now a counselor with the program, Cameron guides students on their higher education journey. Yemi transferred to San Jose State University and credits Umoja-Project Success for helping her define her career goals. Both connected with students and mentors through the family-oriented program that offers university tours, tutoring, academic counseling, scholarships, and more.
Darlin Cano struggled when she first started classes at El Camino. After moving to the area from Guatemala while still in high school, she knew she wanted a college education but didn’t know how to navigate the system. By her second semester, the first-gen student connected with professors who helped her take advantage of all ECC has to offer; now she is in the honors program and aiming to transfer to UCLA.
ECC Foundation Executive Director Andrea Sala explains the scholarship application process and advises all students to apply. This fall, more than 600 students were awarded nearly $900,000 in scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. Sala also shares tips for completing the online application and notes that assistance is available. From athletes to STEM majors, there is a scholarship for everyone.
When recent grad Roshumba Mason returned to El Camino after an extended break from college, she was determined to give it another try, this time with the help of our specialized programs, services, and the many mentors and friends she met along the way. Even though she faced challenges with attending college during the pandemic, she met her goals and is transferring to a university with the goal to be a school counselor.
Ivette Diaz-Quintero is the first in her family to earn a college degree and now works with LA County helping others. In the beginning, the ECC and CSU Dominguez Hills grad wasn’t sure how to even begin her educational journey, but found guidance from the Puente program, along with counseling, mentoring, tutoring, financial aid, and other support at El Camino to help her discover her path and who she wanted to be.
Llendy Bermudez enrolled in El Camino after a 21-year break and remains committed to his education. After earning his high school diploma, he wasted no time to start his college career. He was nervous, but said he felt welcome right away. No matter what age or stage you are in your education, he says that this is a great time to become an ECC student: "The community here at El Camino has changed my life."
Associate Dean of Industry and Technology Katie Sundara invites all prospective students to see the many career paths available at El Camino – and the best way to do that is to take a tour. From earning degrees and certificates to taking classes that build on existing skills, students have a variety of options that lead to high-paying careers, with help from faculty members who guide students to achieve their goals.
Student Sidney Lee is an El Camino Ambassador who wants students to be aware of all college resources so they can complete their educational goals. She appreciates the personalized assistance at the college. With “in-person services you get that one-on-one connection and you’re just in close proximity to your peers,” she says. “These are people you are going to be seeing again. The community is very tight.”
As a first-gen college student himself, El Camino English professor Darrell Thompson knows the challenges those in this group can face. Many have questions about college life, others need help but don’t know who to ask. Thompson makes sure students take full advantage of the college experience, offers support, and helps them connect with a counselor to choose a major and get on a path to success.
Campus leaders Jose Merino and Oscar Hernandez were inspired to enroll in El Camino by family members who had previously attended and found success. As ASO president, Jose found that being a part of campus activities allows him to help the college improve the student experience. Oscar’s role as the Inter-Club Council (ICC) president puts him in a position to make an impact at El Camino and ensure everyone can find a way to get involved in student life. Both discovered a welcoming student-centered academic community at ECC that offers a variety of opportunities for leadership and networking.
As an academic counselor, Dr. Seranda Sylvers helps students identify what they would like to achieve and then make a personalized plan to make it happen. By exploring different classes, majors, careers and goals, Dr. Sylvers shows students how education can shape their future and change their life. Her best advice? “Just start,” she says, even if it is just one class. “In order to reach that end goal, you have to start.”
Vilma Fuentes is a counselor and former coordinator for El Camino’s Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) Program. One-on-one meetings with advisers are a key part of the program, along with support such as meal cards, affordable housing and job referrals, and workshops on various topics that help formerly incarcerated students reacclimate into society and education.
Janet Carraman is a recent El Camino graduate who is now an outstanding psychology student at Cal State Fullerton. She openly shares her experiences as a formerly incarcerated student with staff members and peers, facilitating her own healing while helping to create safe spaces for other vulnerable students. She also started her own nonprofit to support formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students.
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