P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program

Cerritos College P.R.I.D.E. Scholars

The P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program is committed to the success of all its LGBTQ+ students. Its main objective is to assure that LGBTQ+ students have the necessary support systems at Cerritos, in and out of the classroom; and to encourage self-actualization through Perseverance, Resilience, and Innovative Development in Education.

The P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program serves as an expansion of the P.R.I.D.E. Scholars' educational journey by providing multiple opportunities to challenge themselves and to explore potential in different capacities. Additionally, there are several opportunities for students to cultivate community; and to discover and embrace unique facets of their identities throughout their journeys as P.R.I.D.E. Scholars.

Students do not have to identify exclusively as LGBTQ+ to join the program; allies are welcome to participate.

There is no deadline to complete the Program. It has been designed so that a student may complete it within one semester; however, participating students will have the entirety of their academic journeys at Cerritos College to complete it.

Program Requirements:

  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • Must be in good standing with Cerritos College.
  • Attend the LGBTQ+ Career Planning Workshop.
  • Attend at least one LGBTQ+ Leadership Workshop.
  • Meet with the LGBTQ+ Program Facilitator three times to assess Program Standing.
  • Accumulate 125 P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship points.
  • Complete the end-of-the-program survey.

 

P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship Points are accumulated through intentional engagement with the LGBTQ+ Program and the variety of programming it houses and hosts throughout the year. Engagement has been partitioned into the following three (III) tiers under the P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program:

  • Volunteer & Engagement (I)
  • Leadership & Professional Development (II)
  • LGBTQIA+ Living Learning Communities* (III)

*Tier III of the P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program, LGBTQIA+ Living Learning Communities, is expected to expand to include additional components for Fall 2024 and all semesters thereafter:

The higher the tier, the more rigorous and/ or time-consuming the tasks may be; however, the completion of these tasks yields a greater number of P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship points. Points may be earned by participating in LGBTQ+ Program events and workshops outlined in the Syllabus, or by completing academic prompts available in Canvas.

 

Examples of how to earn P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship points under each tier are below:

 

Tier I: Volunteer & Engagement:

These opportunities are volunteer-based. Participants will be tasked with activities that may not have a definitive gauge of time until the event is taking place.

Additionally, the number of volunteer slots available will vary based on the event. For observances, students may participate by providing or contributing content as advised. One may also volunteer to assist with S.A.F.E. Club events, such as clean up or outreach.

1. Buddy Accompaniment

Buddy escorts provide supportive accompaniment to those who may not feel safe entering a location on their own. By lending their presence, P.R.I.D.E. Scholars provide a safe place for individuals who may not feel secure enough to access the locations otherwise.

A buddy escort may accompany a buddy to: Gender-Inclusive Restrooms, Falcon’s Nest, Student Health Services, Campus Police, Library, Student Success Center, Transfer Center, Equity Center, etc.

2. Recruitment, Tabling, & Outreach

    • Club Rush
    • LGBTQ+ Student Orientations
    • Vigils & Healing Spaces
    • Welcome Day, Welcome Week, & Picnic Day
    • Family Day

3. Cerritos College Campus Initiatives:

    • Falcon’s Nest Food Distribution
    • Human Trafficking & Stalking
    • Leadership Retreats
    • LGBTQ+ Mixers
    • Mental Health Awareness
    • World AIDS Day
       

4. Moments of Observation:

As there are many moments of observation throughout the calendar year, there will be several opportunities to demonstrate P.R.I.D.E. Scholarship. Be sure to mark the calendar for observances such as:

    • Day of Silence
    • International Lesbian Day
    • Trans Day of Visibility
    • Transgender Week of Awareness
    • National Coming Out Day
    • Spirit Day
    • Prop 8
    • Club Pulse
    • Club Q
    • Juneteenth
    • Indigenous Peoples’ Day
    • Hispanic Heritage Month
    • AAPI Heritage Month
    • Black History Month

 

Tier II: Leadership & Professional Development:

These opportunities are rooted in leadership and cultivating professional development skills, which may indicate more rigorous or attentive involvement.

These tasks are typically more time-consuming in nature. As a positive consequence, completion of these tasks yields more points. The LGBTQ+ Program Facilitator will assist with any effort or feature upon request.

1. Grand Openings:

2. Newsletters (LGBTQ+ Program or S.A.F.E. Club):

    • Writing
    • Features
    • Spotlight

3. Student Speaker:                                                         

    • Out at Cerritos Panel
    • Lavender Graduation
    • Vigils & Healing Spaces
    • Special Event Requests

4. Student Facilitator:

Facilitation can be challenging. The goal is to foster an academic space in which to further a particular topic. While doing so, P.R.I.D.E. Scholars will guide activities or conversations in a culturally responsive and attentive manner that ultimately evokes the communication of a theme or message.

Student facilitators have an opportunity to lead powerful discussions and engage with community members from all across the spectrum for a variety of spaces. In addition to other ways one may participate during any series of events, students should look out for any facilitation opportunities throughout the calendar year:

i. Social-cultural spaces:

    • OUTober
    • Pride Tide
    • P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Summer Symposium
    • S.A.F.E. Club (meeting co-facilitation with another club officer)

ii. Panels:

    • Out at Cerritos
    • UndocuQueer Panel

 

5. Officer in Student Alliance for Equality “S.A.F.E. Club":

    • The current officer positions in S.A.F.E. Club are: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian, and ICC Representative.
    • P.R.I.D.E. Scholars must run and secure the position(s), just as a non-P.R.I.D.E. Scholar would.
    • Elected officers must complete the respective academic term as the officer of the club (Fall or Spring).

 

6. Lavender Graduation Student Liaison Committee Member:

    • Students must interview for this position.
    • An interview does not guarantee placement.

Duties as a Student Liaison Committee Member are centered around assisting with student-specific endeavors. This could include:

    1. Assist with scouting performers and other talent for Lavender Graduation.
    2. Assist with conceptualizing décor and designing activities for attendees.
    3. Providing insight around student requests for the ceremony.

 

LGBTQIA+ Living Learning Communities (III):

Traditionally, living learning communities provide undergraduate students an opportunity for deeper, more meaningful, and connected learning in a shared academic environment.

At this time, the LGBTQ+ Program is working to expand living learning communities for the LGBTQIA+ student population at Cerritos College.

Under the LGBTQ+ Program, learning communities can be a place to receive and provide education. For example, the required LGBTQ+ Leadership Workshops can be classified as learning communities. Taking this into consideration, there are a few models of a learning community that P.R.I.D.E. Scholars may choose to engage with:

P.R.I.D.E. Scholars are required to attend two (2) Leadership Workshops, or complete supplemental assignments. Eligible workshops include:

    • Safe Zone
    • LGBTQ+ Allyship 101
    • LGBTQ+ Advocacy
    • Navigating Coming Out
    • LGBTQ+ Career Planning Workshop
    • Public Speaking 101: Centering the LGBTQ+ Community
    • Bystander Intervention & The LGBTQ+ Community
    • Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth of Color
    • Community Resiliency Model (CRM)

 

2. Certificate in LGBTQ+ Studies

The Women's & Gender Studies Department houses Cerritos College’s LGBT Studies Certificate, as well as the AA-T in Social Justice with an emphasis in LGBTQ Studies.

The LGBT Studies Certificate program seeks to increase understanding and appreciation of the social, historical, and cultural contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Students will learn the terminology utilized within the academic area of queer studies, and identify the differences between sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

The program also promotes understanding of the intersections of LGBTQ+ identities with those of race, ethnicity, class, and age, among others. Students will also learn about LGBTQ+ individuals, their contributions to U.S. and international cultures, both historical and current, and their struggles and achievements toward equal rights.

Visit the website to learn more about the LGBTQ+ Studies Certificate.

 

Completion of the Program

Upon successful completion of the P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Success Program, Scholars are invited to walk in the annual Long Beach Pride Parade with Cerritos College, receive a P.R.I.D.E. Scholars Announcement at Lavender Graduation, and earn the totem of P.R.I.D.E. Scholars: an LGBTQ+ Tote Bag comprised of exclusive P.R.I.D.E. Scholar and Lavender Graduation regalia.

 

Program Benefits

  • Advocacy and allyship development
  • Cultural workshops and activities
  • Direct resource linkage
  • Field trips
  • Leadership opportunities
  • LGBTQ+ career programming
  • Mentoring
  • Resume crafting and expansion
  • Social support and community building
  • LGBTQ+ student success planning

 

Program Registration

Students who meet the requirements and are interested in joining P.R.I.D.E. Scholars must submit a Participation & Agreement Form to the LGBTQ+ Program's office. This form may be submitted to the office of the LGBTQ+ Program:

The Program Syllabus and the Participation & Agreement Form are located in the Equity Center in the Santa Barbara Building on campus. The digital versions of both documents may be located online.

 

Appointments & contact information:

For any questions or inquiries, please contact the LGBTQ+ Program Facilitator at lgbtq@cerritos.edu. If you would like to schedule an appointment with the LGBTQ+ Program Facilitator, please visit this booking page.

Please note, the LGBTQ+ Program's office hours vary. Bookings are subject to change.