Ode to You!

The Pride Center is honored to recognize the DREAM Program as the next recipient of the ‘Ode to You’ award.

At a time when undocumented communities across the country are facing renewed federal attacks and heightened uncertainty, the DREAM team has remained a powerful force of protection, advocacy, and care for our students. This is not easy work! It is emotionally demanding, often invisible, and politically charged. And yet, the DREAM Program continues to show up for students, staff, and faculty with extraordinary strength and grace. Under Dario Fernandez’ thoughtful leadership, the team creates spaces of safety and trust while navigating shifting policies, limited resources, and the very real impacts of anti-immigrant rhetoric. Their continued partnership with the Pride Center has been both meaningful and affirming. It is our privilege and honor to uplift their leadership and to thank them for their tireless efforts to protect and empower our undocumented community at Mt. SAC.

The Event Services team is delighted to recognize the Pride Center as the next recipient of the ‘Ode to You’ award.

The team at the Pride Center embodies the spirit of joyful collaboration. From the initial facility request to the final execution, their thoroughness and openness to professional input make working with them a true pleasure. River and Cara, in particular, exemplify leadership through their inclusive approach to event design, ensuring student leaders are actively engaged in the process. Their commitment to empowering students and fostering meaningful partnerships lifts up our team and reminds us of the value of collaborative excellence. Thank you for inspiring us by consistently exuding thoughtfulness and care and for showing how impactful and enjoyable event curation can be.

The Event Services Team is always responsive to our requests and always shows enthusiasm and willingness to help and support the Student Life Office. We appreciate them so much!

Event Services is amazing. They always make your dream and vision happen and go above and beyond to make sure that your event is a success. Andrew, Elizabeth, Sean, and Abby have all been instrumental in the success of our Student Life and Associated Students programs and we are SO grateful for them. Thank you, Event Services!

Student Life collaborates with the Event Services department quite often to ensure our events are reserved well in advance and that we have the proper space and resources needed to make sure our events run smoothly. I truly appreciate how much Event Services goes above and beyond to follow up, meet us for walk-through of spaces, as well as assist with weather necessary back-up plans. A huge thank you to the Event Services Department!”

Working with Student Life collaboratively while they moved into the new Student Center space was an adventure!

They are very deserving.

The Facilities Planning and Management Department, Maintenance and Operations, and the Design and Construction Team and IT are frequent collaborators, forming a partnership that is crucial to meeting the goal of creating a smooth functioning campus for students, faculty, and staff.

The Facilities Planning and Management Department and Maintenance and Operations exhibited remarkable dedication and proactive involvement during the recent building floods. When faced with this crisis, the department swiftly mobilized its team and resources to mitigate the water's impact on campus buildings and infrastructure. They worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff, displaying exceptional teamwork and professionalism throughout the response. Not only did they manage the immediate crisis by deploying alternative classroom space, but they also took proactive measures to avert future incidents. Their commitment and tireless efforts, working around the clock, exemplified their dedication to the College's well-being.

Beyond emergencies, the Facilities and Construction teams consistently demonstrate commitment to their work and the campus community. They regularly conduct routine maintenance checks, implement sustainable practices, and collaborate with other departments to enhance campus functionality. Their proactive approach contributes significantly to the overall well-being of the College community. It ensures the investment made in state-of-the-art learning spaces for students, remarkable sports and event spaces, and offices will be here for future scholars.

IT relies on the Teams as a valuable partner to coordinate the behind-the-scenes details of campus infrastructure and the little things that keep our systems and servers ticking to provide the best support possible for students.”

These IT professionals go above and beyond to ensure the success of the Student Life/Associated Students programs and applications such as the Students of Distinction, LEAD Program, RSCO Activation, and Associated Students officer and committee applications. They are always ready and willing to help with any issues or new ideas and they should be commended for handling a thousand and one tasks at a time with grace and professionalism, never making us feel like an imposition, and always taking the extra time to explain in ways we understand.