“Although this campus becomes your world, Stevenson College is home.”
Name: Sarah Vigil
Year: Junior
Major: Business Management Economics
Clubs/ Organizations/Activities: Programs Assistant at Stevenson College, College Office Assistant
Meet Sarah Vigil! Both a student and employee of Stevenson College, Sarah is familiar with what it takes to make Stevenson feel like home to many students. As an office and programs assistant at Stevenson, her duties range from preparing the monthly college night to assisting her peers with valuable academic information. She comments that she loves being part of a community that practices “positivity, encouragement, and support for all types of people.” Moreover, she loves being around the students who also contribute to the environment by being “active, creative, positive, fun, funny, understanding, and diverse individuals.” Sarah is a great example of Stevenson students taking initiative to create a space for themselves and others in the community.
“Core definitely brings everyone together, which I think is different at other colleges because our class really requires you to look inside yourself to connect with other people.”
Name: Michelle Borreggine
Year: Freshman
Major: Art
Clubs/ Organizations/Activities: Michele Guard Scholarship Recipient
As an incoming freshman, Michelle found out college was not as scary as she thought it was going to be. At Stevenson, Michelle was able to quickly develop friendships and find a community of her own. Because she is constantly with her peers in and out of class, her social and academic life often intertwine: “Core definitely brings everyone together, which I think is different at other colleges because our class really requires you to look inside yourself to connect with other people.” One of her most vivid memories of the welcoming environment that is provided by Stevenson was attending a scholarship banquet at the Provost Alice Yang’s house. Upon arriving, she was kindly received by Alice and other scholarship recipients. Michelle was awarded the Michele Guard Scholarship offered to Stevenson students only. To find out more about the scholarship, click here.
“If I ever have any questions or need assistance, I know I can count on one of my fellow Stevenson peers to be a great resource.”
Name: Priscilla Lopez-Rios
Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Management Economics
Clubs/ Organizations/Activities:Mailroom Assistant ‘12, Stevenson Office Assistant, Chicano Latino Resource Center Intern (El Centro), CAN’s Alternative Spring Break ‘13
As a resident and former core course student at Stevenson, Priscilla has found ways to connect what she has learned in class with activities done outside the college. During Spring break 2013, she participated in a service-learning experience in Mexico with the Community Agroecology Network and learned what it meant to be part of a different community. Her plans involve coming back to the Stevenson community to share her story and initiate a conversation related to the Self and Society concepts. Ultimately, Priscilla’s goal is to encourage Stevenson students to explore co-curricular activities and to get familiar with the variety of communities provided at Stevenson. Recently, she was awarded a Stevenson Student Council award and the Student Research Project scholarship to participate in the Alternative Spring Break (ASB).
"I’ve had such wonderful experiences talking about these kinds of issues and making sure that Santa Cruz is a place where discussion of these issues is encouraged."
Name: Kevin Garcia
Year: Freshman
Major: Classical Studies
Clubs/ Organizations/Activities: Path to a Greener Stevenson (PTAGS), Vagina Organization, Mailroom Assistant
Although it is his first year in college, Kevin Garcia is already making his presence known. This past year he collaboratively worked with other enthusiastic students to produce the play The Vagina Monologues and he has been attending the weekly PTAGS meetings. His involvement comes as a result of being comfortable connecting with fellow peers and Resident Advisors. For example, Kevin remembers a day when he spent time studying with a group of Residential Advisors on the Knoll and then joining them for lunch in the downtown area. Interestingly enough, Kevin was introduced to the Vagina Organization by one of the Residential Advisors. Because of his involvement, Kevin has been able to learn and take action on social issues that are prevalent in our society.
