Volume III | March 2017
Legacy News

The mission of the Legacy Program is to provide students with a strong academic program, instructional resources, and motivational support that will support facilitate their progression toward transferring to four-year institutions.  With its basic skills and transfer level holistic curriculum and interactive activities that emphasize the African-American experience in the United States, the Legacy Program is geared specifically toward student populations who are underrepresented in higher academia.
Legacy Celebrates Excellence though Black Culture and Inclusiveness for Kwanzaa

Through collaboration and inclusiveness, the Legacy Program worked with many individuals, groups, and departments to educate and continue the conversations on the rich culture of African Americans. 

Legacy Scholars participated in a range of interactive cultural activities that allowed them to also build their leadership skills.  Scholars organized informational tables, a soul food fest, and facilitated the program for Kwanzaa this past December





Educating through Excellence
Black Hair Symposium

Cypress College kicked off Black History Month with a Black Hair Symposium. Faculty, staff, and students came together to discuss the historical, social, and political aspects of black hair. This conversation generated even more conversations afterward. Legacy students participated in the panel discussion and Professor Ron Wilson facilitated a lively and educational question and answer session.  Our progressive leader President Robert Simpson has created a legacy in which our students, staff, and administrators can participate in intellectual conversations on topics that are relevant in the black community - thank you!

  Black History Month Library Display
by Legacy Scholar Lynda Terry
 
Mothers of the Movement
Continuing the Conversation through Community Collaboration

Cypress College celebrated the local Mothers of the Movement (MOTM). Over 130 students, faculty, staff and community leaders listened as the Mothers shared their narratives. The event started with NOCCCD Chancellor Cheryl Marshall, Cypress College President Robert Simpson, and Cypress College Associated Students President Amanda Aros. Legacy Scholar Emeka Obi provided the welcome to the MOTM. Also in attendance was NOCCCD Board of Trustees President Molly McClanahan.  The stories and activism the Mothers presented on the panel discussion reinforced that African-American history is tied to protest, struggle, and growth. The MOTM shared the importance of uncovering, amplifying, and reconstructing silenced voices and experiences.
Collegiality through Communication and Teamwork

The highlight of Black History Month was the coming together of faculty, staff and students. Four events were planned: Black Hair, A showing and discussion of the Documentary "Thirteenth", Mothers of the Movement, and a Day of Expression. Black Hair was moderated by Professor Wilson; Professor Estrada and Professor Lind facilitated the discussion on " Thirteenth"; Professor Adams moderated the panel discussion of Mothers of the Movement; Professor Giardina and Professor Afra coordinated the Day of Expression, which included the  InterACT Troupe from CSU Long Beach.   Each event attracted a record number of members from the college and community and had standing room only attendance. Thank you Black History Month Planning Committee and Contributors:  Virgil Adams, Maha Afra, Tonya Cobb, Steven Estrada, Armando Garcia, Ed Giardina, Annette Letcher, Daniel Lind, Regina Rhymes, Samantha Simmons, Warren Washington, and Ron Wilson.
Celebrating Excellence through Mentoring

Mentoring is the cornerstone of the Legacy program.  The support the students receive from their mentors is key to staying motivated and connected to instructional resources. This quarter Legacy honors three mentor-mentee matches: Mentor Dr. Brandy Young and Mentee Bianney Castillo; Mentor Dean Eldon Young and Mentee Marcus Parchman; Mentor Ed Giardina and Mentee Emeka Obi. 

When asked what do you appreciate the most about your mentor, Bianney shared "the academic support she receives from Dr. Young."  

Mentee Marcus appreciates that his Mentor Dean Young has given him such great insight on his computer science major.  In addition, he shared, "He's shown me a wonderful study abroad program that will help me get out in the world and meet more amazing people".

Mentee Emeka Obi shared, "I've learned three things from my mentor Ed:  everyone has their own way of writing, a picture is worth more than a thousand words, and one can go from Cypress College to the Chicago Willis Towers in a matter of minutes with a little bit of photo shop."

La Palma Board Member Grants Scholarship to Legacy Student

Congratulations Trey Rentie for winning the first Kwanzaa Essay Scholarship. 

Alumni La Palma Board Member Marshall Goodman and his wife Laurie Goodman believe in providing financial support for academic excellence. Along with a committee of professors and community leaders, the Marshalls requested that students write an essay on community engagement. Trey Rentie is the first recipient of the Marshalls' Scholarship.

Trey Rentie not only represents excellence, but is on track to transferring to his dream school -- University of California, Irvine.
Honoring Student Leadership
Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself.  When you become a leader, success is about growing others - Jack Welch

This quarter, Legacy honors those students who supported others growth by saying "Yes" to opportunities.   All have contributed to the awareness of the Legacy Program as well as issues impacting the black community. Lynda Terry created one of the most talked about library displays on the Cypress College Campus.  Austin Thompson organized an informational table for Cypress College Senior Day and recruited his peers for support.  Marisol Garcia organized weekly study groups for her peers.  All have played instrumental leadership roles in the operations of the Legacy Program and the Black History Month Symposium Series. Thank you  Lynda Terry, Austin Thompson, and Marisol Garcia!
 
Legacy Scholars' Introduction to Toastmasters
Collectivism through Community Connections
Toastmasters mentor Legacy Scholars with their leadership and communication skills. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development.  The mission of Toastmasters is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.  Legacy is happy to incorporate elements of Toastmasters into its holistic curriculum. The Legacy Program is dedicated to student success by making them not only competitive in the classroom but in the job market.
 
District leaders from Fullerton, Long Beach, Carson, Compton and Seal Beach volunteer time to coach Legacy Scholars on soft skills: Scholars learn extemporaneous speaking, speech-craft, timeliness, teamwork, and evaluations. 
 
Copywriters:           Annette Letcher, Daniel Lind and  Regina Rhymes

Copy Editors:          Annette Letcher,  Daniel Lind, and Regina Rhymes

Photography:          Legacy Scholar Barbara Rodriguez, Annette Letcher, and Regina Rhymes
Stay Connected
  Upcoming Events

Northern UC Trip with Puente and Honors Program                 April 20 - 22
Legacy End of the Year Celebration                                          May 11