Positive People Speaker Series
The MJC Positive People Speaker series invites local success stories to come and share stories of inspiration and motivation. Each of our speakers have endured a life journey that has been filled with challenges they have had to overcome as they pursued their dream. This is a FREE event for all. Appropriate for children 12 and older.
2021-2022 Positive People Speaker Series
Positive People Series
Please join us on March 3, at 6:00 p.m., for our next engaging Positive People Guest Speaker, Elida Miranda-Zaragoza. Elida is a Student Success Specialist at Modesto Junior College working to remove barriers and advocate for student equity. She currently co-leads the MJC Comunidad Network supporting Latinx students. Elida possesses a persevering attitude and believes that hard work, determination and passion are key to overcoming obstacles. Elida began her higher educational journey at Modesto Junior College, then transferred to CSU, Stanislaus where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in psychology. She continued on to earn a Master in Public Administration. Elida will share her perspectives as a first-generation college student and lessons she’s learned along her 15-year career that are sure to inspire participants to follow their dreams.
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Positive People Series
Please join us on February 3, at 6:00 p.m., for our next engaging Positive People Guest Speaker,Glen Stovall. Glen has been a consistent fixture in the Modesto community for many years. He began community service by driving an hour round-trip to pick-up people for church when he first received his driver's license. His desire to assist others led him to begin teaching classes and coordinating youth activities at his church. Glen has played piano for many years and his love of music led him to become the Minister of Music at Modesto Christian Center. He established Jashlin Productions fulfilling a dream of recording music and producing concerts and albums for various artists. He directed two sold out concerts at the Gallo Performing Arts Center and has produced audio books, jingles, Christmas, Gospel and Smooth Jazz albums. For many years, Glen has successfully coordinated many programs at Modesto Junior College. His main mission has been to assist all students to achieve their academic goals. He has worked hard in creating internships, volunteer opportunities and jobs in the community for students in his programs. He coordinates three programs at MJC, The Collaborative for African American and Latinx males, Rising Scholars Network for students that have been formerly incarcerated and the UMOJA program which impacts with an intentional African American perspective. Relationships are key when creating success and new pathways. He has set up great teams that has assisted more than 700 students in graduating and transferred from MJC.
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Positive People Series
Please join us on November 4, at 6:00 p.m., for our next engaging Positive People Guest Speaker, Jose Sabala. Jose is the Former President and founder of South Modesto Partnerships (SMP) which has expanded its reach and now has become Stanislaus Equity Partners (STEP). Jose serves as the Vice Chair of STEP as well as the Vice President CRA Officer for Oak Valley Community Bank. Born and raised in Modesto, Jose was the first in his family to graduate High school from Thomas Downey High. He was also the first in his family to receive his Bachelors degree in Business Management. Jose is passionate about serving the Community and has over 20 years of business and community organizing experience. He also serves as a board member of City Ministry Network and served in various other boards such as Love Our Cities Inc. and Central Valley Hispanic Chamber. Additionally, Jose has a heart for connecting, building and empowering men and has founded a ministry called Journey Men. Out of all his accomplishments his number one ministry is his family. Jose is proudly married to his beautiful wife Araceli of over 18 years and they are both raising his two kings Ezekiel and Jude.
Click here to view Zoom recording
Positive People Series
Please join us on October 7, at 6:00 p.m., for our next engaging Positive People Guest Speaker, Domenica Escatel. Domenica is a first generation college graduate and holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University and a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Art Education and Photography from San José State University. Having previously worked for the Stanislaus County Office of Education, she has over a decade of experience working with children and their families. She loves training, teaching, and working with community professionals. Through community work, Domenica has received several recognitions: 2020 Brainz Magazine Global Influencer, 2019 Latina of influence, 2018 Outstanding Women, 2016: 20 under 40 Modesto Bee.
Currently, Domenica works for the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. At this time, Domenica launched her bilingual podcast, The She Powered Podcast and was invited to host the Cafecito show on The Happiness is Attractive Network on the Roku Channel. In her off time, you can find Domenica speaking at various conferences or being an auntie to Logan who is eleven and Abby who is seven.
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2020-2021 Positive People Speaker Series
Positive People Series
Please join us on March 4th, at 6:00 p.m., for our next engaging Positive People Guest Speaker, Dr. Amelia Herrera. During the last fourteen years of her teaching career at Davis High School, Dr. Herrera has been privileged to learn from a globally, diverse population of students. These students have shared priceless lessons about violence, war, peace, humanity, and most importantly -- unconditional love.
Dr. Herrera believes that students who are most in need of care, deserve a quality education with the most thoughtful, philosophical, and loving guidance of caring teachers. She has strived to become this role model for students.
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Positive People Series
Please join us for an inspirational session on how students can persevere in the face of adversity and accomplish their goals. This session is led by one of our very own: Modesto Junior College ASC/Veterans Counselor and Veterans Service Coordinator, Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson is a student-centered, servant-leader dedicated to educating and empowering students to achieve their life goals. His commitment to student success and equity is demonstrated through the art and science of counseling. Michael has dedicated his career to providing strength based and solution-focused counseling services. It is his endeavor to provide support to students who are considered high risk or disproportionately impacted on community college campuses. Despite obstacles he may have faced, Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Science with a concentration in Psychology, Sociology and Organizational Leadership. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and a post graduate certificate in Higher Education Leadership for Student Success.
Zoom recording: Click here to view
Positive People Series
Please join us on November 5th at 6 pm to hear Monica's empowering story. Monica was born in Venezuela and now resides in Modesto. Monica is the Marketing and Community Relations Manager for La Perla Tapatia and the Managing Partner at Sam and Dave's Market. Monica is an asset to our community as she sits on the Board as Treasurer for Central Valley Hispanic Foundation and a Board Member for the Hughson Chamber of Commerce. Monica's hard work has been recognized in our community in recent years as the 2017 Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year and the 2020 Outstanding Women by the Stanislaus County Commission for Women.
Click here to view the Virtual Event recording
Please join us for this virtual event to hear Karlha's motivational and inspiring story. Karlha currently serves as the Director of Alumni Engagement at CSU, Stanislaus. Karlha Davies will be sharing her story as a first-generation college student and the adversities that she experienced along the way. Karlha has an impressive 25+ year career in public relations, fundraising and community engagement in the sectors of non-profit, education, government, and private business.
Click here to view the Recording of the event
2019-2020 Positive People Speaker Series
2018-2019 Positive Speaker Series
Juan Arroyo Presentation Part One: Click Here
Juan Arroyo Presentation Part Two: Click Here
John Griffin Part One Click Here
John Griffin Part Two Click Here
John Griffin Part Three Click Here
Adreena Alkhas Part One Click Here
Adreena Alkhas Part Two Click Here
Adreena Alkhas Part Three Click Here
Sam Pierstorff Part One Click Here
Sam Pierstorff Part Two Click Here
Sam Pierstorff Part Three Click Here
Sam Pierstorff Part Four Click Here
2017-2018 Positive Speaker Series
2016-2017 Positive Speaker Series
Joanna Murillo Beaver Part One Click Here
Joanna Murillo Beaver Part Two Click Here
Joanna Murillo Beaver Part Three Click Here
John Ervin Presentation Part One Click Here
John Ervin Presentation Part Two Click Here
John Ervin Presentation Part Three Click Here
Tamara Mena Presentation Part One: Click Here
Tamara Mena Presentation Part Two: Click Here
Tamara Mena Presentation Part Three: Click Here
