San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Provides Opportunities for Crafton Hills College Students

Publish Date: Jan. 19, 2021

In January 2020, the Crafton Hills College Foundation received a $300,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The grant, awarded to support the College’s Increasing Student Engagement and Knowledge (iSEEK) program, provides student employment opportunities and direct support through scholarships, emergency grants and textbook assistance for Crafton students.
The iSEEK program has grown substantially since its inception in July 2014, ultimately helping over 300 students attain their educational goals. Crafton Hills College President Dr. Kevin Horan expressed how grateful he is for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ continued support of Crafton students. “This funding has helped alleviate financial barriers for students while allowing them to gain valuable work experience,” Horan shared.
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the student employment piece of the program was modified to provide an alternate mechanism for students to learn job skills while adhering to health and safety guidelines.While the purpose of this program remained consistent, to prepare students for successful employment and to be strong candidates for competitive scholarships and transfer, the implementation of the program shifted to a virtual format as the College began remote instruction and services in March.
The employment portion of the program was managed through the College’s career center, where students developed a career portfolio that included a resume, cover letter, and elevator pitch; learned hirable leadership and employability skills through online training; earned digital badges; and gained interview skill preparation. A newly developed mentorship component was added this year connecting students with employees at San Manuel to foster professional development and growth.
At the culmination of the program, students were able to purchase a professional suit for interviewing, employer networking, and job search. Career center coordinator Trinette Barrie explained how the ability to purchase professional attire has impacted students. “Most students struggle with making ends meet and have to watch every dollar. The ability to wear a new appropriate outfit to an interview helps students feel confident which influences how they present themselves.”
Direct student support through scholarships, emergency grants, transfer application fees and textbook assistance have been more important than ever this past year. In some cases, this funding meant the difference between students continuing their education and dropping out. In others, it relieved food insecurity due to loss of wages or helped pay certification fees so that a student could start his/her career. In every instance, this funding provided hope for students who often expressed that having others believe in them helped them believe in themselves.
Horan concluded, “The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians helped Crafton students respond to unforeseen challenges and provided the financial support they needed to continue their studies during this very challenging year. It is more important than ever to help our students stay in college, earn their degrees, and build a better future, and we are so grateful for San Manuel’s philanthropy and dedication to improving our community.”