Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) Unity Report

For

Fall 2008

The Unity Program for Fall 2008, on the campus of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, garnered more than 60 applications from interested students.  The program was marketed and advertised using classroom presentations on-campus and through community outreach at high schools, churches & barber shops in the community.

Each Unity student receives an educational plan, financial aid counseling and personal counseling. The educational plan helps students visualize goals they need to develop while in their educational program. With each educational plan, I list a group of activities that would support that student’s educational goals (Tutoring, Study groups and Writing lab).

In addition, financial aid counseling assists Unity students with monetary support in the form of grants ie. Federal Pell grant, work study, Cal-Grant and fee waivers. This financial support helps sustain students with their books, trade materials and transportation.

Finally, personal counseling sustains a student’s adjustment to the college culture. This is an adjustment from K-12, the work environment, or just general life. Personal counseling can and will support the Unity population here at LATTC while the student is on their educational journey of life.

To facilitate the Unity Program, I formed a taskforce to support and help grow the program. The taskforce members are as follows: Dr. Raul Cardoza (Dean of Enrollment Management), Maurice Burnett (General Counselor), Linda Cole (GAIN/CalWORKS-Director), Dr. Ayesha Randall (Learning Skills-chair), Kyle Skinner (EOP&S-Counselor), Derek Brown (Financial Aid- Technician), Chini Johnson (General Counselor) and Brandon Bell (Admissions & Records- Technician). This group will collaborate in setting the agenda for Unity (Fall 2009).

In October of 2008, I attended an Umoja Conference in San Diego, California. This conference discussed recruitment strategies, student learning outcomes (SLO), Umoja art and culture, communication, education, information technology, lifelong learning, safety & health, and sports & recreation. In the addition to the conference, I networked with other Umoja directors or coordinators. As a result of attending the conference, I established a relationship with the WLAC Umoja coordinator, Pasadena City College Umoja director, and the El Camino Community College Umoja coordinator. Each Umoja group shared their strategies with me to help advance the Unity Program at LATTC.

September 2008 (Activities)

1. Every Wednesday there was a meeting in the ASO conference room from 12 noon to 2pm which included lunch.
2. Helped Unity students to add classes for fall 2008.
3. Reviewed financial aid applications.
4. Reviewed or developed educational plans for Unity students.

October 2008 (Activities)

1. Wednesday meetings in ASO conference room with lunch.
2. Financial Aid workshops for Unity students.
3. Reviewed student conduct via college catalog.
4. Reviewed “Needs Analysis” with Unity students.

November 2008 (Activities)

1. Wednesday meetings in ASO conference room with lunch.
2. Career planning workshop for Unity students.
3. Thanksgiving celebration for Unity students
4. Reviewed adjustment process to LATTC for fall 2008.

December 2008 (Activities)

1. Wednesday meetings in ASO conference room with lunch.
2. Reviewed Winter/Spring 2009 class schedules for Unity students with declared majors.
3. Discussed final exam for Fall 2008 strategies.

M. Burnett, MSW

Assistant Professor of Counseling

2-27-09