High School Student Empowerment Conference

Bridging Dreams to Reality:

Empowering Your Success

High School Student Empowerment Conference 2025 

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Schedule of Activities

TIMES	ACTIVITY
8:45-9:30 a.m.	Bus drop-off / Check in at Campus Center Resource Fair and Tabling in Conference Rooms A&B
9:30 a.m.	Program Begins in Main Dining Room Bryan Hernandez and Joshua Madrid, De Anza Student Ambassadors
9:35-9:45 a.m.	Land Acknowledgement Adriana Garcia, Program Coordinator, Office of Equity
9:45-9:50 a.m.	High School Roll Call – see list below
9:50-10:15 a.m.	Welcome and Keynote Dr. Omar Torres, President, De Anza College
10:15-10:30 a.m.	Transition to Breakout Sessions
10:30-11:25 a.m.	Breakout Session Choose your workshop – see descriptions below
11:25-11:30 a.m.	Break
11:30 a.m.-noon	Lunch Pick up food in Conference Rooms A&B; eat in Main Dining Room
11:40-11:45 a.m.	Guitar Performance Alex Macedo and Oswaldo Macedo
11:45-11:55 a.m.	Dance Performance KDC Coxmix
Noon-2:50 p.m.	Campus Tours – see schedule below Your tour group will be the same as the workshop you attended
2:50-3 p.m.	Closing Remarks and Prize Drawing Main Dining Room in Campus Center
3 p.m.	Buses Depart – We Hope to See You Again!

Breakout Sessions – Choose a Workshop!

Remember your workshop letter and color or symbol. Your workshop group will also be your tour group.

Workshop A (RED):

Finding Your Purpose in College

• Location: L-25
• Presenter: Long Phan, Counselor, EOPS and Guardian Scholars/NextUp
• Are you graduating soon and feeling unsure about going to college? Find your purpose and discoveryour path in this session.

Workshop B (BLUE):

Self-Discovery Through General Education

• Location: L-27
• Presenter: Jayme Brown, Student Success Specialist, Offi ce of Outreach
• Don’t know what to study in college? This session will explore General Education courses that are needed to earn a degree or transfer, and may help you fi nd that special interest that leads to a future career!

Workshop C (ORANGE):

Help, I’m Majoring in STEM!

• Location: L-28
• Presenters:
  • Yvette Campbell, Director, MESA and STEM Success
  • Melissa Maturino, Counselor, MESA
  • Yolanda Johnson, Counselor, Math Performance Success
• Are you interested in science, technology, engineering or math? This session will give you a better idea of what it’s like to major in these fi elds, and the support that De Anza offers to help you succeed.

Workshop D (WHITE):

English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Location: L-49
• Presenter: Maria Marin, Instructor, English as a Second Language
• Did you grow up speaking a langue other than English? De Anza’s ESL program can strengthen your English language skills, critical thinking and information literacy – while building confi dence to achieve your academic and personal goals.

Workshop E (PURPLE):

Empower Your Future: EOPS, CARE, Guardian Scholars/NextUp

• Location: L-61
• Presenters:
  • Flora Payne, Counselor, EOPS and Guardian Scholars/NextUp
  • Maria Perezalonso, Student Success Specialist, EOPS
• De Anza offers extra support for students who are economically or academically disadvantaged. Learn about the resources available from our EOPS offi ce, plus CARE for single parents and Guardian Scholars/Next Up for current and former foster youth.

Workshop F (YELLOW):

Get Help Paying for College

• Location: L-76
• Presenter: Millie Perea, Financial Aid Specialist
• Need help paying for college? You may qualify for fi nancial aid, but you won’t know if you don’t apply! This session will cover the basics of how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Workshop G (PINK):

Disability Accommodations After High School

• Location: L-72
• Presenter: Denisse Dolmo, Program Coordinator, Disability Support Services
• If you had an IEP or a 504 plan in high school, you’re likely eligible for accommodations at De Anza. Learn more about the services and benefi ts that we offer to students with disabilities, and how to apply for this program.

Workshop H (GREEN):

Going To College – Where Should I Start?

• Location: L-73A
• Presenters: Erick Aragon, Teresa Castro, Leticia Gonzalez Hernandez, Jesus Ruelas, Chai Schweikert and Charles Van Meurs, Counselors, Offi ce of Outreach
• If you’re a new student at De Anza, the Outreach Offi ce can provide you with academic counseling and other kinds of support. Learn about our services and special programs including the De Anza College Promise, Food Pantry and Resource Hub, Men of Color Community, Rising Scholars and more

Workshop I (CHECKERBOARD):

Draw Your Journey – Barriers, Hopes and Dreams

• Location: L-81
• Presenters:
  • Claudia Guzman, Program Coordinator, Professional Development
  • Katrina Stewart, Administrative Assistant, Equity and Engagement
• What are your goals – and what’s standing your way? In this hands-on drawing session, you’ll use markers and paper to explore your goals and map out a path to reach them. Previous art experience is not required!

Workshop J (STAR):

Where My People At? Hint: They’re Closer Than You Think

• Location: L-82
• Presenters:
  • Maurice Canyon, Counselor, Umoja
  • Huy Le, Counselor, Pride
  • Jorge Morales, Counselor, First Year Experience
  • Liliana Rivera, Counselor, Puente
  • Amy Wang, Counselor, IMPACT AAPI
• Going to college is a big step, but it’s also a great way to meet new friends and fi nd community with others. This session will introduce you to Learning Communities such as First Year Experience, IMPACT AAPI, Pride, Puente and Umoja. We’ll also play fun games to help you refl ect on what makes you unique, while you connect with other students!

Campus Tours

TIME	GROUP A: RED	GROUPS B + C: BLUE + ORANGE	GROUP D: WHITE	GROUPS E+F: PURPLE + YELLOW	GROUPS G+H: PINK + GREEN	GROUP I: CHECKERS	GROUP J: STARS
Noon	Child Development	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV	Campus Highlights	Journalism	Health Technologies
12:25 p.m.	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV	Campus Highlights	Journalism	Health Technologies	Child Development
12:50 p.m.	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV	Campus Highlights	Journalism	Health Technologies	Child Development	Automotive Technology
1:15 p.m.	Film/TV	Campus Highlights	Journalism	Health Technologies	Child Development	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies
1:40 p.m.	Campus Highlights	Journalism	Health Technologies	Child Development	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV
2:05 p.m.	Journalism	Health Technologies	Child Development	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV	Campus Highlights
2:30 p.m.	Health Technologies	Child Development	Automotive Technology	Design & Manufacturing Technologies	Film/TV	Campus Highlights	Journalism

High School Roll Call

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