New Vice Provost plans to 鈥減ay it forward鈥� for students
Jessica Lavariega Monforti, Ph.D., joins 海角社区CI
By Kim Lamb Gregory
Whether it鈥檚 in school or in life, new 海角社区CI Vice Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti, Ph.D., sees individual success as a team effort.
鈥淚 was always raised to work hard, but not alone,鈥� Lavariega Monforti said.
Growing up in a Latino household, a sense of family, neighborhood, and community are at the root of her achievements, which is why Lavariega Monforti wants to create a similar environment for 海角社区CI students 鈥� especially for those who, like her, are the first in their family to attend college.
鈥淲hen I was in K-12, I was surrounded by a lot of naysayers,鈥� Lavariega Monforti said. 鈥淢y best friend was pregnant at 15, and statistics were not in my favor. But between my parents and a handful of faculty members, somehow I stumbled onto a career I didn鈥檛 know existed when I was 18. I really look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward here at 海角社区CI.鈥�
Lavariega Monforti grew up in Long Island, New York in a neighborhood where big family Sunday dinners were the norm.
鈥淢y dad was a mechanic, and my mom was a hairdresser. My mom was the one who said, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to college,鈥欌�� Lavariega Monforti said. 鈥淪he wanted me to not depend on other people for my survival.鈥�
Lavariega Monforti earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and women鈥檚 studies from Florida State University, then moved north to attend Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor鈥檚, a master鈥檚, and a Ph.D. in political science.聽 Her career took her to Texas, rural Georgia, and eventually California where she became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at California Lutheran University (CLU) before joining 海角社区CI in January of 2022.
Her experiences in these different demographic cultures reinforced her belief that a strong social foundation of friends, family, and professional colleagues is critical to success, especially for students of color.
Lavariega Monforti said students and faculty alike mocked her Latina/o heritage.
鈥淚 remember kids in my graduate cohort ended every single word with an 鈥榦,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淥nce, a very famous political science faculty member said 鈥榃hat did you get on your GRE? I want to know if you鈥檙e smart enough to be here.鈥欌��
Among the initiatives Lavariega Monforti is excited about is 鈥渂lock scheduling鈥� for first year students beginning with the Fall 2022 semester. Basically, a cohort of students will have blocks with 12 units of foundational courses, which they will take together as a group. The group will serve as a 鈥渧illage鈥� for the students to help them develop a sense of togetherness and belonging.
鈥淲hen students first come to college, they are often less worried about academics than they are about fitting in,鈥� Lavariega Monforti said. 鈥淭hat tends to be why we can lose students, because 70% of a student鈥檚 college experience is spent outside the classroom.鈥�
Provost Mitch Avila, Ph.D., is confident Lavariega Monforti鈥檚 experience and vision will benefit 海角社区CI.
鈥淒r. Lavariega Monforti is motivated by the belief that education can empower students and help them and our communities achieve their potential,鈥� Avila said. 鈥淗er background and experience will be a critical asset for 海角社区CI in the coming years as we pursue our graduation and retention goals and advance the mission of the campus to serve the region.鈥�
鈥淚 just want to remove the barriers for students so they can go out and do amazing things,鈥� Lavariega Monforti said.
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漏 Spring 2022 / Volume 27 / Number 1 / Biannual