San Manuel Grant Helps CHC Students - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: Jan. 15, 2015

A person on a computer
Photo Caption: Destinique Brown, benefactor of the ISEEK grant from San Manuel, works in the CHC Disabled Student Services & Programs (DSPS) office.

Crafton Hills College (CHC) is already seeing results from the grant it received from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in August 2014. "Without the opportunity to work on campus, I would be working dead end jobs, paycheck to paycheck," said Destinique Brown. "Because of my job as a student assistant, I imagine not only a career that provides a good living, but one that impacts the lives of others."

Brown is one of the 80+ students who are working part-time jobs on campus, thanks to the $100,000 ISEEK (Increasing Student Engagement, Employment & Knowledge) grant funded by San Manuel. On-campus student employment has been shown to increase student engagement, which helps students stay connected to school and succeed in their classes. It also helps them pay for enrollment fees, textbooks, transportation and other expenses that may otherwise interfere with their ability to stay in school.

Brown changed her major from respiratory therapy to teaching after working as a student assistant, believing she has now found her calling. She had an opportunity to share her story and thank San Manuel for the opportunity at a recent luncheon for friends of CHC.

The ISEEK grant also earmarks $10,000 for scholarships. Scholarships help students while they are at CHC and when they transition to a four-year institution. Over 90% of Crafton students intend to transfer to a four-year institution. These scholarships will help smooth the transition from community college to a four-year institution, and being a scholarship awardee will help the student transfer with greater self-confidence.

"It is always heartwarming to hear what a difference the on-campus jobs make for our students," said Dr. Cheryl Marshall, president of CHC. "It allows students to spend more time on campus and focus on their studies, leading to higher success rates. We appreciate San Manuel’s contribution and their dedication to education."

Many of the students hired work in the Tutoring Center, helping other students. This results in a wider impact of the grant--helping hundreds of students a semester.