Porterville College staff pose with president Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib (third from right) after a Caring Campus session. Dr. Habib, inspired by her game-changing experience with a compassionate staff member as she was trying to enroll in college for the first time, brought Caring Campus to her school to foster a community where students feel recognized and valued.
Porterville College President Dr. Claudia Habib, inspired by a compassionate staff member during her own college days, introduced Caring Campus to foster a supportive community where students feel valued and can succeed.
As a 22-year-old immigrant from Colombia, Dr. Habib struggled to register for community college classes and was ready to give up after three failed attempts. A kind staff member in a green dress found her crying in a restroom, hugged her, and guided her to get the help she needed, setting her on the path to success. This act of kindness inspired Dr. Habib to bring Caring Campus to Porterville College.
Porterville College staff completed Caring Campus in November 2023, with the sponsorship of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Since then, Dr. Habib has seen her staff develop new leadership skills and recognize their vital role in student success.
“Our staff are the backbone of our whole operation,” Dr. Habib said. “It’s incredibly important they see their own value and recognize the impact they have on students, and Caring Campus has helped us give them that.”
Porterville College student Sebastian Baca works as a Student Ambassador in the Counseling Center, providing aid and resources to students in need.
Porterville College launched Caring Campus to foster a community where students feel recognized and valued, leading to increased success for all students.
“When I first started my job, there were so many things I didn’t know and I was afraid of making mistakes,” Baca said. “Our Student Services Program Technician, Nicolas Britt, was there every step of the way, answering every single question I had and boosting my confidence. I have always appreciated Nichoals for constantly going above and beyond to ensure I felt comfortable in myself and my abilities.”
Caring Campus provides employees with tools to empower students, helping them succeed in and out of the classroom. Dr. Habib’s story is an example of how small Caring acts can change a person’s life.
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