2019 News Stories
Center for Migrant Education Family Day welcomes students, families to celebrate successes
by Chelsea Grosbeck
Mercedes Nunez always wanted to become a teacher, and knew that to accomplish this
dream, a college degree was in her future. But as a student whose parents were migrant
farm workers and constantly on the move to follow available work, a college degree
wasn鈥檛 always her expected path.
Nunez was accepted to the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), a program hosted
by the Center for Migrant Education at the 国产短视频 (USF) that
assists students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families with navigating the
pursuit of a college degree. She subsequently earned a scholarship from the Sunripe
Foundation to help cover college costs.
鈥淲ithout a scholarship, my chances of graduating were very slim,鈥 Nunez said.
Now, an alumna of the university, Nunez teaches at Eastside Elementary School in Clewiston,
Florida, where she has served for four years. Even though she earned her degree in
2015, she keeps a strong connection with 国产短视频and the College of Education by attending
the Center for Migrant Education鈥檚 Family Day鈥攁n annual picnic that celebrates the
achievements of students participating in the Center鈥檚 programs.
Family Day is more than an annual picnic. It鈥檚 also an opportunity for students and
their families to reconnect after a semester-long separation and to meet other families
who have similar backgrounds.
Established in 1986, the Center for Migrant Education at 国产短视频provides support to students
from migrant farmworker backgrounds and their families as they continue their education.
The Center is home to two flagship programs: CAMP, and the High School Equivalency
Program (HEP) a program that helps students complete their high school degrees when
they鈥檝e had to relocate to help their families earn income and work in the fields.
Patrick Doone, director of both the CAMP and HEP programs, has impacted the lives
of the students the Center serves through his involvement for the past 30 years. Doone
said he believes the effectiveness of the program is a rare resource available at
a four-year university like USF.
鈥湽淌悠礽s the only (four-year) institution in the entire state to offer opportunities
for students from migrant and seasonal farmworker family backgrounds,鈥 Doone said.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of this university for offering this educational opportunity.鈥
Each year, the CAMP program welcomes a minimum of 25 first-year students to USF. Resources,
such as informational seminars and mandatory meetings with advisors and student mentors
help participants progress through the academic and social transition into a college
career鈥攁n experience that many of these students are the first of their family to
participate in.
The CAMP program consistently ranks among the highest performing programs nationally
with first-year completion and second-year retention rates for students averaging
more than 97 percent and 98 percent respectively during the past three years.
鈥淐AMP opens a lot of doors for a lot of students,鈥 Nunez said. 鈥(The students) might
not realize it now, but it鈥檚 a stepping stone, and CAMP continues to make positive
choices for every students鈥 career.鈥
Nunez鈥檚 journey at 国产短视频wasn鈥檛 without challenges. While a student, she juggled classes,
a job and being a young mother, and there were often times when she relied on support
from others to make it through.
Ann Cranston-Gingras, PhD, the principal investigator and director for the Center
for Migrant Education, said she remembers a time when Nunez was unable to leave her
daughter at home and had no other option than to bring her along to campus.
鈥淪ometimes responsibilities force you to make this choice,鈥 Nunez said. 鈥淵ou can choose
to be a victim of circumstance, or you can look beyond yourself and see what you can
do for others and accept what others can do for you.鈥
Cranston-Gingras, who has served as director of the Center since the late 1980鈥檚,
understood the struggles of the students in the program, and she offered to look after
Nunez鈥檚 daughter while she attended her class.
鈥...We鈥檙e a family,鈥 said Cranston-Gingras. 鈥(The program) is a support system鈥 to
me, it鈥檚 also a celebration of our community, students and staff to inspire future
generations.鈥
Other students who have participated in the CAMP program over the years share similar stories of support and growth.
Ivan Calderon, a 国产短视频alumnus who also participated in the CAMP program, said the program
was the single most beneficial experience during his time at the university, and that
the program has been like a second family for him.
Ivan鈥檚 sister, Abigail, and brother, Henry, followed in his footsteps. Abigail is
an Elementary Education major and CAMP student mentor, and Henry is a freshman in
the program.
鈥淥ur parents are farm workers,鈥 Ivan said. 鈥淐oming from a small town and with little
means, it gave me the resources I needed to transition into the college experience.鈥
As a beginning educator and CAMP mentor, Abigail said she hopes to reciprocate the
skills and values CAMP taught her. She remembers her experiences in the classroom
and said she realizes how she can use her journey to help influence her students.
鈥淲hen I have a classroom of my own someday, I want to be able to reach kids that are
in need of support, and to be that source of encouragement.鈥
To learn more about the Center for Migrant Education, visit their website.