damian trujillo: hello and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i am damian trujillo. today, we're talking all about education on your "comunidad del valle." ♪♪♪ cc by aberdeen captioning (800) 688-6621 aberdeen.io arturo rodriguez: hello, i'm arturo rodriguez, president emeritus of the united farm workers. damian, we just wanna thank you in a very special way for all that you've done in the last 25 years to keep our community so well informed with your program, "comunidad del valle." continue on and sí se puede. damian: and that was our good friend, "artie" arturo rodriguez, the president emeritus of the united farm

workers, of course, celebrating 25 years on "comunidad del valle." we're gonna start the show with a bang here. with me now is dr. eric bishop. he's the new president and superintendent of ohlone college. dr. bishop, welcome to the show. welcome to "comunidad del valle." eric bishop: good morning, damian. thank you. it's a pleasure to be here. damian: all right, thank you for being here. well, tell us, you're relatively new to ohlone college. tell us about how your experience has gone so far. maybe you wanna sum up what the challenges are and what the talking points, the highlights, are. eric: actually, i can't wish for a better experience for someone who started as a leader in--during the covid era. i can't think of a better community to come to and a better place to work with. it's been fantastic, even amidst all this. everything's been about keeping the community and the college safe. that goes for our students, our staff, and how we can contribute to keeping our local community safe. so it's been a pleasure and the people have been supportive, both in the college and in the local community, so i'm excited

to transition to the bay area and be in ohlone. damian: yeah, well, what is normal now because i think a lot of us have lost a sense of what normalcy really looks like. at ohlone what is normal at this point? or is it normal? eric: well, normal for us right now, we started school just this week, is having students back on campus. the majority of our classes are still online, but we do now have students and faculty on campus. it's exciting that after a year of sitting in my office and not seeing students and faculty, that we kind of have a college environment. i think one of the things about normal is the nature of that word is we're moving into what will be a new normal but i think we get to define that. and one of the things i try to remind our community is that what was normal didn't work for everyone, so we wanna now create what is normal that works for everyone and gives everyone access and opportunity. damian: all right, well, you know, but what a perfect name also for a college and it's been there for decades,

ohlone college. it's just a tribute to the native american ancestry here in the bay area; the ohlone nation is very strong here. so why, sir, why would a student want to go to ohlone? what is your sales pitch to them? eric: i think my sales pitch is that we're a college that provides access. we provide affordability. we allow students to come and redefine themselves and create their pathway to whatever that next step in their life is, whether that is to come and get an education and transfer or to come and get a certificate or take classes and then go get into the workforce. at the end of the day, every student that comes to college is looking to enter the workforce. the question is when do they need to go to get a bachelor's or a higher degree or can we get them into the workforce with some training. so this is the place i think that we want to keep people local so whether you go to college and come back or you get into the workforce here, we wanna see you come, get your

education, again, as cheap as it can be in the state, in the country, and then contribute to the economy of our local community. damian: and age is not--is a non-factor, right? it doesn't matter if you're 18 or if you're 58. ohlone, like every other community college is there, if that's where you decide to begin your higher education. eric: damian, i love that question because i--my staff teases me and i tease my staff because just because i'm talking to a bunch of high school seniors or even elementary school students, i am actually recruiting the parents at the same time. it's never too late to start your education, it's never too late for that next step. some people just want to do educational enrichment and learn more, and some people really wanna get a step up or change the career path they're on or change their job or take classes just so they can get more units and get more skills and get a promotion. so as we serve so many different facets of the community that

there is no age barrier. our actual average age is about 26, so when people think about college they always think that high school student, graduate, coming in, but we see a lot of adult learners who, when you think about the nature of our society, just over a quarter of adults over 25 actually have a bachelor's degree. so it shows most people don't go to college right away or go into higher ed so there's plenty of room for everyone. damian: all right. well, we're talking about ohlone college. they're right here in the bay area. we'll have the website information for you, and there it is on your screen. a lot of schools, actually, changing their names to ohlone school and so ohlone college has been ahead of the game. we'll be back with dr. bishop and talk more about, specifically, the spa program and what else might be happening at ohlone. stay with us. ♪♪♪

damian: we're talking to dr. eric bishop. he's the new superintendent and president of ohlone college here

on "comunidad del valle." tell us about the spa program there at ohlone, dr. bishop. eric: thank you for the opportunity. our spa program, which stands for student pathway apprentice program, is designed to make the transition from high school to college easier. as an open access institution, we accept 100% of our applicants, but the goal is to create a scenario and a pathway where high school students really know and don't have to do as little work as possible to enter college. so what we've done is we create a pilot program where we have graduate students who are embedded in each of our -- high schools in our district, so that a student who needs to take ohlone classes whether they're taking 'em while they're in high school through due enrollment or they're intending to take summer classes or they're intending to come to ohlone post graduation, can go to that single person and have all their paperwork done, all their questions answered,

everything done. so they really never have to leave their high school to do their enrollment process at ohlone. and so the goal is to simplify it, make it easy, and give them continuity so that they know who's contacting them. damian: well, yeah, and that benefits me, it benefits everybody in the community and including those students, of course, because, you know, a better educated society, you know, we can only expect better things in the future. so that's a good program there. also, documentation. if you're documented or not, it really doesn't matter at ohlone, right? you're gonna educate those who need that education. eric: actually, it doesn't matter at all. we will find a way. we are what we call an undocu-friendly institution. we welcome our undocumented students. it's even a term that we are wrestling with, just the stigma of how that goes. when i say "open access," and i think my staff would agree with this, we really do want everyone, and i think this is the place, that this is the land of opportunity, the community

colleges are the foundation for that opportunity. we will find a way to make sure that we get you in and get you on to what we--what i call or have come to call the pathway to generational wealth. we want--parents want their children to have a better life than they had, and the community college that i believe is the first step to that. damian: yeah, you're right, the terminology means a lot, sir. here at "nbc news" across the entire network, the words "undocumented immigrant" are not allowed. i'm saying it now because i'm explaining what the policy is, but the words do mean a lot. i know i've asked a lot of questions, sir. what is it that you would like us to know about ohlone? eric: i think just to know that ohlone is--i take the word "community college" seriously. we are part of the community, we want to be part of the community. we want you to trust us with your education needs and know that we're gonna get you to your next step. we're here to enrich you, to grow you, and to be part of you. damian: any student--you said you were making it easy for them

when they're at their local high schools to attend college. i mean, that's what it's all about, right, access, because i know that in some corners of the bay area, maybe in some of the rural communities, it's difficult to really know what college life is like unless they go to you 'cause it's difficult for you to go to those college campuses and get that tour but what you're doing is you're going to them and it's all about access. eric: it absolutely is and to one of your points earlier, we aren't stopping with the traditional high schools. we're also working with our continuation schools, with our adult schools, with--and with some of our private and charter schools because every--it doesn't matter where you're doing--where you're at in your educational process, we want you to have the opportunity, we wanna make that pathway as streamlined as possible. damian: all right, that's dr. eric bishop, the new superintendent president of ohlone college. any final thoughts, sir, before we let you go? eric: thank you, and thank you to the community. we welcome you. if you ever see me on campus, please stop me and, as i tell my

students, if you don't see me with a smile, you have the right to challenge me and to make sure that i'm smiling because i love what i do and i love where i do it. damian: dr. bishop, class act. you're always welcome on the show. thank you so much for being here. eric: thank you. damian: all right, thank you very much. ohlone college, again, the web address we're gonna show you. there it is on your screen. log on and find out more about your collegiate opportunities. we'll be back and talk more about a program called "10-thousand degrees." stay with us.

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damian: the program is called "10-thousand degrees." cinthya cisneros is both a beneficiary of the program and a contributor now to the program. cinthya is my guest now here on "comunidad del valle." cinthya, welcome to the show. cinthya cisneros: hi, thank you for having me. appreciate it. damian: tell us--and thank you. tell us, first of all, about the 10-thousand degrees program. what's that about? cinthya: so 10-thousand degrees is an organization here in the bay area that supports students through mentorship and

through scholarships throughout their four-year undergraduate degree. damian: and you are--you benefited from that. tell us about that. cinthya: i did. when i was a senior, i was a recipient of the scholarship and, yeah, i mean, the mentorship was huge for me throughout college, being the first in my family to go to college, low income. it just--it really supported me to go all the way through and then financially too which was huge for me as well. damian: yeah, i mean, where would--i mean, where would we all be without the financial help that we got in getting us through college? where would you be, cinthya? cinthya: oh man, i have no idea. i honestly--i cannot thank them enough for getting me to this point. i think without them, i would have--i don't know. i really needed that. i really needed someone to support me emotionally, mentally, and monetarily, and they did it all, so i really appreciate them.

damian: you know, and then when the student receives a monetary contribution, let's start with that, it's not only the money, the dollar figure, that is going into their bank account, but i think it's the gesture, the belief that, wow, this person, this group, this organization, they care about where i'm coming from and where i'm going and what i want to do with my life, that might benefit my community. and so it's, mentally, it's gotta recharge your batteries knowing that there's someone, a group, an agency, that believes in what you're doing. cinthya: absolutely. and i think because i was the first in my family and being undocumented, i really didn't have that much of a push, right? and so, you're exactly right. you said it perfectly. it's when you have someone that's backing you up, they believe in you, and so then immediately everything you do is to thank them. hey, i can do this. they believe in me so i'm gonna show them i can do this. so, yeah, you said it beautifully, 'cause that's exactly how i felt.

damian: and you know, and there are millions of undocumented folks in this country still, and many see that as an obstacle, as a deterrent, to succeed. what is it about your generation that says, "no, it's not gonna be an obstacle. i'm going to jump over that hurdle. i'm gonna be successful at whatever it is i do"? cinthya: i think it's we're a very resilient generation. we try to figure it out. we see the obstacle and we're like, "okay, how can we get there?" whether it's this way, that way. and we like to hustle. i think our generation is just--tries to figure out how to make ends meet, how to make it. and so, that's exactly where my mindset was, how am i gonna do it. this is my obstacle and how am i going to overcome this. and, yeah, we're just a strong group of individuals, for sure. damian: oh, absolutely, and inspirational, i'll add that word as well. 10-thousand degrees, they're all over the bay area. cinthya: correct, yes.

they have offices throughout the bay area. san rafael is where i came across them when i was in--going to sonoma state at the time but, yeah, they have one in san francisco, they have one in napa, so they have it throughout the area, to really directly support the students 'cause i think one thing that is huge is that mentorship piece, someone to walk you through this and so, yeah, they're chilling it by making sure they have access to their students throughout the area. damian: yeah, what would it--what would you tell those daca students maybe, or those who might not even qualify for daca, when they think that they're down and out, that the walls are crowding in on them and they're not gonna, you know, be as successful as they want to be? cinthya: yeah, it's first of all, finding your, i call it the hype crew, right? your crew to get that buoyance that backs you up, that helps you out. so, really clinging on to those people and both professionally and, you know, within your family and friends, to really guide you to get through those really big down moments

'cause it gets tough. and just preparing yourself just in case, right? we don't know what's gonna happen. and it's just how can i prepare myself to be ready for what's gonna change? there are so many changes that are happening and--but more than anything it's that group of people that are gonna keep you sane and keep you supported and feel supported throughout this journey 'cause it's a tough journey. damian: yeah, great tip. in our next segment, i wanna talk about your beautiful living room that you have in the background. that's when we continue but, again, the 10-thousand degrees program is helping students all across the bay area. you can log on to the website for more information if you want to maybe benefit from this program. maybe you have some scholarship money that you'd like to contribute, maybe start your own scholarship fund. there is the web address on the screen for more information. we'll be back with cinthya and talking about the 10-thousand degrees program when we continue. stay with us.

damian: we're back on "comunidad del valle." we're talking with cinthya. we're talking about the 10-thousand degrees scholarship

and mentorship program across the bay area, but i wanna talk about that beautiful living room where you're at, right now, cinthya. tell us where you are and what it means to you. cinthya: yeah, i'm hanging out at the oldest building in napa, the old adobe house, and this is where my little business exists. so my little business is la cheve bakery and brews here in a building that was built in 1845. built when it was still mexico, which is beautiful. but yeah, we are known for our breakfast. we have a breakfast menu that transitions into lunch, and then we have over 40 options of craft beer with beer that i make as well. and then my mom is the head baker for our bakery. so we also have a ton of baked goods that we make fresh every day. but, yeah, this is my cozy little house. damian: so your chemistry degree is coming in handy with your craft beer business? cinthya: yes, yes, yes. i think that's how this whole came about. i started brewing at home and it just became a thing that we would all hang out in the garage and i would make beer, my uncle would make tacos, and, you know, my dad would hang out with us

while doing it, and my mom would make the pastries. so it just became a thing. damian: i think i chose the wrong major. i should have chosen chemistry but not that-- i wasn't that smart for it. but you--the reason we're bringing your business in is because now, with that, you are helping the 10-thousand degrees program. cinthya: yeah, exactly. one of my goals in getting into business was to give back to my community and one of those ways that i feel like i can directly contribute is through scholarships. just because i--the last thing i want is a student to not--to say, i didn't go to college 'cause they couldn't--they didn't have the funds or the money, right? and so this is a dream for me. like, i cannot believe that i have scholarships in place for students that are, you know, that were--that are dealing with stuff just like me when i was a kid, and yeah, we're supporting a student who's majoring in business and another one that's majoring in science. so it's so awesome, right? i--it just feels cool and it just feels good that the meals that people are eating here, the drinks that they're buying here,

it's going directly towards something like that in our community and hopefully it's just a chain reaction. so going from one student to the next, and then once they get to this position, they can help, you know, other students in our community. so it just feels--it feels really good. it feels really good. damian: and that's what it is, right? it's you're--somebody planted the seed with you and look at you. look at how successful you are now, and now you're planting the seed for somebody else and you're waiting to see how that fruit blossoms and what it turns into. cinthya: exactly, yeah, and i think that's the best way i can support our community. i'm gonna do it 'cause whatever i can do, i'm gonna do it, and that's i'm just so--we're so proud of it. i think it--the whole team gets very inspired to--just to do what we're doing for that, so we're all grateful. damian: i think a lot of us who share that similar background, it's not that we don't believe in ourselves at the beginning but it's, i mean, just so much, maybe it's 'cause we don't see--we didn't see success to this level growing up

and all we needed was somebody to kind of push that door open a little bit and for you to peek in and see what's on the other side. that's what happened with me and that's exactly what's happening with you. cinthya: absolutely, i think when you feel down and under and you know that someone is helping you out, backing you up, and they believe in you, that's what forces you to get out of bed and each morning to really, you know, make it. and that's truly what 10-thousand degrees was for me. they supported me in a very meaningful way and they kept me going, you know. they made me feel like i was going to be successful and so i did what i could to get there so, honestly, they're a huge impact in my life and i'm forever grateful for them. damian: yeah, lastly, before i let you have the final word, your advice to those who maybe are using that as an obstacle, the fact that they might be in this country undocumented or that they--there's things happening at home that is gonna prevent them from being successful.

cinthya: yeah, it's going back to that finding your group. find someone that you look up to as mentor, find your friends and family that are gonna support you emotionally, 'cause that's huge. finding resources locally if you need, you know, mental health support, anything like that 'cause that's important. and just keep the hustle going. i think it's always preparing yourself for whatever happens or does change, and it's just finding those people. i think it's just networking. network like crazy. even to this day i didn't think i would talk to x, y, and z person that i met when i was, you know, 18, 19, and when i came back to napa, i made that connection with them again, so i think networking is so, so important for so many reasons and, yeah, definitely, just getting that hype crew going. the hype crew, i keep going back to that. damian: all right. she's a proprietor of la cheve bakery and brews, and cheve, yes, is a slang term for cerveza.

any final thoughts, cinthya, before we let you go? cinthya: just thank you for supporting us. i think it's a chain reaction, right? people who are coming in to our doors, supporting us, we're able to give it back to our community so just a huge, huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. i appreciate it so, so much, so thank you. damian: yeah, congratulations on your success and thank you for what you're doing to contribute and to pick--going back and picking people up who are behind you. again, this is the 10-thousand degrees program giving scholarships all across the bay area for worthy students like cinthya and those who now she's giving scholarships to. we'll have the website here for more information on the screen. one--10-thousand degrees on "comunidad del valle." any--there's a website on the screen. any final thoughts, cinthya, before i let you go? cinthya: i'm fan-girling right now 'cause i used to watch this channel when i was a kid, so thank you. damian: there you go, ha, ha. thank you so much and good luck to you. cinthya: thank you. damian: all right, well, if you'd like to get a hold of us here on "comunidad del valle," you can follow us on twitter.

my handle is @newsdamian. you can also follow me on instagram. my handle is @newsdamiantrujillo. there we go. and also pick up a copy of "el observador" newspaper and support your bilingual weeklies all across the bay area. many of them are virtual now, so it's easier to support. and we thank you once again for sharing a part of your sunday with us. last week, we were preempted by golf on nbc but we're back for the rest of the year. we thank you for joining us. we're gonna leave you with a little bit of little joe y la familia. we'll see you again here next week. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ male: [speaking in spanish] ♪♪♪ male: sing it with me, please.

♪ ¡ya todo se me acabó! ♪ ♪ ¡no me puedo resistir! ♪ ♪ si voy a seguir sufriendo mejor quisiera morir ♪ ♪ yo voy vagando en el mundo ♪ ♪ sin saber a donde ir ♪ ♪ los años que van pasando ♪ ♪ no me canso de esperar ♪ ♪ a veces que estoy cantando mejor quisiera llorar ♪ ♪ ¿para que seguir sufriendo si nada puedo lograr? ♪ male: everybody. ♪ las nubes que van pasando. ♪ crowd: ♪ se paran a lloviznar ♪

♪ parece que se sostienen. ♪ ♪ cuando a mí me oyen cantar. ♪ ♪ cuando a mí me oyen cantar. ♪ crowd: ♪ se paran a lloviznar. ♪ ♪ parece que alegran mi alma. ♪ ♪ con su agua que traen del mar. ♪♪ male: soar like an eagle. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ male: a proud eagle. ♪♪♪ male: a united--

i'm sara gore and this is open house. wait until you see the places we have to show you this week, including the cozy home of this restaurateur in the hamptons. and the curated beverly hills home of a jet setting actress and playwright. plus, we are cliffside in carmel at the former home of vertigo star kim novak. but before all that, famed fashion designer christian siriano shows us around his stylish westport, connecticut retreat. you can see the trees, see the nature. this is just like a need from being in new york city all the time. you have to come out here and get a little escape. right poppy? you love this place.