2008 Woodie Awards
Building bridges to better awareness
Amanda Garcia
Issue date: 11/22/02 Section: Campus Life
Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian, East Indian. These are just some of the many ethnicities represented at Yuba College. The Yuba College campus is very diverse, but how much do we really know about each other?
The "Crossing Borders and Building Bridges" program is a series of multi-cultural and race relations speaking events, designed for students and staff to gain a better understanding of the many different cultures and religions that make-up the Yuba College community.
According to coordinator Neelam Canto-Lugo, the title "Crossing Borders and Building Bridges" was selected with the belief that if we overcome our barriers, we can build a bridge of understanding.
The program began four years ago, and is the joint effort of speech instructor Neelam Canto-Lugo, Instructional Associate Tony Jow, counselor Bidya Pradha and counselor Neena Gill. In 1998, the committee wrote a grant proposal and was awarded $3,500 to begin the series.
Since 1998, the college has been unable to continue funding the program. According to Canto-Lugo, however, many community members and other organizations on campus have been very gracious in donating money to the program, including the Staff Development Committee, the Associated Students of Yuba College (ASYC), retired political science instructor Bob Singh, Yuba College Board Member Leela Rai and retired philosophy instructor Larry Moorman.
"This program has made a connection between Yuba College and the community," said Canto-Lugo. "Many of our speakers don't even charge us because they believe in empowering students by giving them knowledge."
Many of the speakers speak about cultures and race relations, but the program has also featured speakers on gender, disabilities and political issues. According to Canto-Lugo, presenters are usually people in the community, Yuba College instructors and students, or professors from neighboring colleges.
The number of presentations range from 7 to 12 per semester and are at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually in room 521.
The "Crossing Borders and Building Bridges" program is a series of multi-cultural and race relations speaking events, designed for students and staff to gain a better understanding of the many different cultures and religions that make-up the Yuba College community.
According to coordinator Neelam Canto-Lugo, the title "Crossing Borders and Building Bridges" was selected with the belief that if we overcome our barriers, we can build a bridge of understanding.
The program began four years ago, and is the joint effort of speech instructor Neelam Canto-Lugo, Instructional Associate Tony Jow, counselor Bidya Pradha and counselor Neena Gill. In 1998, the committee wrote a grant proposal and was awarded $3,500 to begin the series.
Since 1998, the college has been unable to continue funding the program. According to Canto-Lugo, however, many community members and other organizations on campus have been very gracious in donating money to the program, including the Staff Development Committee, the Associated Students of Yuba College (ASYC), retired political science instructor Bob Singh, Yuba College Board Member Leela Rai and retired philosophy instructor Larry Moorman.
"This program has made a connection between Yuba College and the community," said Canto-Lugo. "Many of our speakers don't even charge us because they believe in empowering students by giving them knowledge."
Many of the speakers speak about cultures and race relations, but the program has also featured speakers on gender, disabilities and political issues. According to Canto-Lugo, presenters are usually people in the community, Yuba College instructors and students, or professors from neighboring colleges.
The number of presentations range from 7 to 12 per semester and are at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually in room 521.