Speakers discussed scholarships, HIV testing and training for job success.
By R.Eguia
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Nine students attended the Men of SPC event Feb. 17 at St. Philip’s College, along with 10 faculty members and various organizations.
All of the students participated in a raffle and everyone won something.
Three $50 gift cards from the campus bookstore were awarded.
Other prizes included pizzas and bags complete with a T-shirt, planner and other St. Philip’s swag.
Physical therapy sophomore Albert Pacheco won a grab bag and said it is hard returning to college after being out of school for several years.
“Life happens. We gotta work. We become dads. We have to pay rent,” Pacheco said.
He received extra credit in his human anatomy class for attending the Men of SPC event.
“I won’t qualify for all of the programs they talked about, but I will pass the word along,” he said.
Pacheco is optimistic about the success of his little brother in school because he has received a lot of mentorship from the aviation program at St. Philip’s.
The event was organized by Kevin Shantz, St. Philip’s service-learning coordinator in absence of Dr. Paul Machen, dean of student success, who had a previous engagement.
“We understand that college is not the only thing going on in their lives,” Shantz said. “There is a lot more going on. We see a different group of students each semester.”
He said these events are a part of a simultaneous strategy in the long-term efforts for student success.
Shantz passed around sign-up sheets for several interest groups for students to join and possibly find mentorships.
These included sports groups; a home renovation group; a “geek” group for comics and games; a tennis group; and a fantasy football group.
He wants to see more activities at the next event in addition to lectures.
Community service specialist Michelle Hoothe spoke on behalf of this city’s department of human services.
She talked about the Training for Job success program that pays for a student’s tuition, textbooks, uniforms and equipment and gives support from a case manager who will assist them with finding a job if they qualify.
Call human services at 210-207-5929.
Students had an opportunity to suggest an organization or speaker they want to attend the next meeting.
One nursing student suggested a health care professional speak next time about navigating the health care career field.
Sociology sophomore Taylor McAllister said some men might not complete college because their financial aid is cut off.
Gloria Hernandez, St. Philip’s College scholarship coordinator, told students about scholarships available with approaching deadlines.
St. Philip’s College awards about $600,000 in scholarships annually, she said.
One public health representative spoke about HIV and HIV testing available on the college campus.
Three academic advisers were available to the students after the speakers.
One adviser talked about the approaching deadlines for a study abroad scholarship opportunity for summer 2017.
Political science freshman Percival Bragg said he will attend the next Men of SPC event to learn more about opportunities he didn’t know about before.
The next meeting will be at noon-1:30 p.m. March 23 and April 20 at the Morgan Gallery on the Martin Luther King campus of St. Philip’s College.
No registration is required.
For more information, call Dr. Paul Machen at 210-486-2157 or John Martin at 210-486-2241.