A Legacy of Compassionate Education and Community Service

Publish Date: Aug. 22, 2023

Photo: CHC Professor Janine Ledoux.

Janine Ledoux moved from her hometown of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to southern California in 1988 to attend Loma Linda University. Before attending Loma Linda, she earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and worked as a physical fitness director. One of her responsibilities was to recruit guest speakers for various health and wellness topics. When one speaker did not show up, she filled in and delivered a presentation on stress management. This experience led to a passion for educating adults about health-related topics. 

She then resumed her education at Bridgewater State College, where she earned her master’s in education in health promotion. She went on to earn her doctoral degree in public health at Loma Linda University in 1992. During her studies she was hired as an adjunct instructor at Crafton Hills College. In August of 1991, she was hired as a full-time faculty instructor in CHC’s physical education (now kinesiology and health) department. 

Janine’s accomplishments are too numerous to include all of them here, but in addition to her being a favorite instructor among CHC students, Janine also initiated CHC’s COACH (Creating Opportunities and Changing Hearts) program. She enlisted students, family members, and friends to establish a food pantry and community garden. 

The COACH Program provided service learning and helped provide food and personal hygiene items for students experiencing food insecurity. Janine recruited student volunteers to serve at monthly community dinners at the Blessing Center and Family Service Association of Redlands; work at the COACH Cupboard food pantry; and plant, care for, and harvest vegetables in the garden. More importantly, students learned about “giving back” to the local community. 

Her work as a professor has remained rooted in the belief that knowledge is secondary to compassion. She says, “Show people that you care before you share what you know. Always lead with your heart and your life will be enriched.”