Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[ Silence ]
>> I thought we would introduce to you someone
who has actually negotiated, successfully, college who started
in Learning to Support English.
I want to introduce a proud graduate of the class of 2011
from Georgia Gwinnett College, Mr. Homero Gonzalez
to tell you the story, Homero.
>> Good morning.
I am Homero Gonzalez and I am a Gwinnett College alumni
and a proud Emmy Award winner.
[laughter] Today I'm here to tell you about Student Success
in Georgia Gwinnett College.
But before I start I want to thank Dr. Kaufman
for allowing me to come and talk to you about a program
that is really dear to my heart being
that I'm a first generation college student. [photo, Mr. Gonzalez with family.]
And also I want to thank Dr. Jessica Damien
for all always supporting me and being my mentor
from the beginning of my journey at Georgia Gwinnett College.
I'm going to talk to you about my experience
with student success in three different stages beginning
with setting expectations, confidence and last
but not least foundation.
When I started at Georgia Gwinnett College in 2007,
Student Success definitely set up the expectation for me
and it got me above speed for what I needed to learn
to be successful in my college level classes.
I remember being in classes like English 1101
where my peers would ask questions
that I already knew the answers to but that was
because I had taken Student Success courses prior
to my college level courses.
In that sense I really felt like I had an advantage
over my classmates because I knew what those courses were
going to ask of me as a student.
Also I was able to pinpoint writing skills
that I was missing and through the endless support
that the faculty from Student Success provided me I was able
to overcome those obstacles and be successful in my classes.
Secondly, student success provided me with the confidence
to be involved in more than just my classes.
I became a student leader at Georgia Gwinnett College
and I became president for three consecutive years
of the Organization of Latin American Students.
Also I became Vice President
with student government association
and I became involved with many other organizations on campus.
Also I pursued a Studies Abroad Program in Europe
and I became the first in my family to ever visit Europe [photo, Mr Gonzalez with family.]
and countries like Belgium, Switzerland and France.
Last but not least, the student success program offered me a
foundation for me to be able to pursue my career goal.
I was able to graduate in four years
from Georgia Gwinnett College which is a huge accomplishment
for any student, especially students like me
for whom English is not their native language.
Two years ago I started working for a Hispanic TV station
and today I stand in front of you as an Emmy Award winner.
But none of this would have been possible if it wasn't
for the support that Georgia Gwinnett College offered me
through the Student Success Program.
I'm a true advocate for what GGC does to support their students
and as proof of that I have my two younger brothers going [photos, Mr. Gonzalez with his brothers.]
to Georgia Gwinnett College as well.
If I was able to win an Emmy Award,
just imagine what they're going to be able to do. [photo, Mr. Gonzalez with family, younger brother in cap and gown.]
Thank you.
[ Applause ]