This is the story of a 22-year-old young man who graduated from a university with a bachelor’s degree, and he thought the degree could earn him a job that pays enough money for him to rent his own place, but it didn’t.
This is also the story of Vilma, a Cuban immigrant with an elderly mother who worked hard to graduate from her local community college and achieve the American dream, but she now works at a fish market and is beginning to think that it doesn’t exist.
This is the story of thousands of college graduates today that are walking around with degrees that don’t actualize anything in their lives.
According to the 2023 Buisiness.com article, this
year only five percent of all applications submitted for jobs by recent college graduates were met with interest from employers.
According to the same article, of that five percent of applications that received interest, “only two percent of online applications resulted in interviews.” This staggering statistic shows that many of the applications submitted by college graduates for jobs were left uninterested by the employers, leaving college graduates struggling to get hired for good jobs that live up to the degree they hold.
Pierce College can play a role helping offset these numbers by starting a mentorship program. Students can have access to individuals on campus that can offer them
help and guidance, which can give college graduates their best shot at attaining good, sustainable jobs.
According to the 2014 article in The Atlantic, studies show that “12.4 percent of Black college graduates were unemployed” while “for all college graduates, the unemployment rate stood at just 5.6 percent.”
In the same article, “all Hispanic college graduates faced a 5 percent unemployment rate, more than whites but less than African-Americans.”
Pierce College has a student demographic consisting of 48.5% Hispanic students and 4.55% of Black students. Pierce College has the opportunity to assist its large Black and Brown student popula-
tion, who, unfortunately, are disproportionately affected by un/underemployment.
Through creating a mentorship program, students could have the ability to sit with qualified individuals, be it staff, alumni or even transfer students, on a monthly basis.
Topics will include what jobs to seek, how to seek them and the steps necessary to take. This not only helps guide soon-to-be college graduates, but it also helps them prevent wasting years of their life with no direction by giving them access to people that can help them formulate a plan.
Pierce can play a part in helping offset this striking problem affecting more college graduates than you know.
Community colleges are known for being beneficial to a wide demographic of people, from those learning new skills, to others looking to cut costs from a traditional four-year and some who would otherwise be unable to attend due to the high cost of tuition. Many of those students live throughout the San Fernando Valley, and unless students live directly on a bus line or drive a car, getting to campus could prove difficult. So how can Pierce College be made more accessible to students?
A new single-rider program called Metro Micro began in Los Angeles County in 2020, offering specific service
areas across the county short rides for only $1 - similar to Lyft or Uber for a fraction of the price. Users only need to place a ride 20 minutes in advance to use the service, and it is much more flexible than bus schedules.
Unfortunately, the Metro service zone for the San Fernando Valley includes only the Northwestern area, or anything from Parthenia Street up to Senson Boulevard in Porter Ranch, leaving the Pierce campus just out of reach. If it was expanded to the lower West Valley, it would allow even more students access to the campus.
Many students are juggling school and work. Accord-
Have you experienced a teacher sharing their political views?
“During class I’ve heard where they stand and regardless of their view, they kept a humanitarian point of view. I feel like regardless on what they truly believed, dealing with injustice is what’s impactful.” - Lex Martel - Pyschology major “In high school yes, she said she is a Democrat because that was during my economics class. She did share her point of view of why she didn’t like Trump.”
- Antoine Mbok - Computer science major
ing to the California Career Center, approximately 80% of community college students also have jobs to help save for school or pay for everyday life. Those students don’t have the options to wait for busses that don’t align with their class schedules - and often have to choose between planning their days around the Metro line, or missing class altogether.
Not only would Metro Micro be beneficial to those juggling responsibilities, it would also provide safety and security to those who need to use public transportation.
According to Los Angeles Daily News, serious crime within Metro lines rose 24%
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from 2021 to 2022, and statistics for 2023 already surpass those numbers. With growing uncertainty about the safety of public transit in Los Angeles County, Metro Micro would provide an alternative for students who are afraid to take the bus.
Community colleges are essential to providing accessible, affordable education.
Accessibility means far more than just providing classes.
It must also make efforts to make sure that students have the resources to get to those classes. Working with Metro to expand these services for the West Valley would add to those resources.
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“A handful of times, I had a history teacher that had a swift way of talking about it. We would talk about politics and it was conservative on how he challenged their ideas.” - Nicholas Molinaro - Music education major “One of my math teachers was expressing her view towards the election of Biden and Trump. She was strongly stating her love towards Trump and how much she loved and agreed with him.”
-Tuilr Macedo - Music major
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Teachers have a great amount of influence to the benefit or the detriment of the students in the classroom.
For that reason, teachers should not impose their political affiliations on students.
Today’s college classrooms are populated by students with big ideas, plans and futures that most haven’t figured out. That is a great thing. We live in a time when politics divide people for reasons that often don’t make sense.
Students might find it emotionally exhausting to hear an educator talk about their political ideologies.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, among other things.
Educators can use the influence of their position to abuse their power by disciplining students who may disagree with them.
That could create a problem for students or create other consequences for disagreeing with a teacher’s political opinion, including the belief that their grade might be affected by their difference of opinion from their professor. That may or may not happen, but the point is the student may be concerned that it could.
For example, a teacher might address a
specific topic such as reproductive rights and express to the students their opinion that abortion is wrong. A pregnant woman sitting in class may be considering getting an abortion. The women might be wondering why this is being discussed in the classroom. But more importantly, she might have thought that if he knew what she was considering, it may negatively affect her grade in the class.
A survey from Edweek’s Article revealed that 42 percent of educators find it more challenging to talk about specific national politics to students. According to the study, it’s harder for educators to talk about subjects like LGBTQ, race, and gender equality, which have been at the forefront of many discussions in classroom settings and can turn ugly and unproductive from inside the lecture hall.
The main benefit of teachers who keep their political opinions to themselves is the unnecessary political debates that may occur that have no place in the classroom.
An additional advantage is that students who feel uncomfortable about personal politics will not be distracted by the possibility that their personal beliefs are at odds with those of their teacher’s.
Talking about politics, including personal political positions, might be relevant in a U.S. government or political science class. However, a professor’ politics isn’t appropriate in a biology class.
By Maxine Chaykovskiy ReporterTeachers should be able to share their political views to their students.
According to the Hechinger Report by Charlotte West, studies show that teachers’ political ideas have minimal impact on students’ own political views.
Alyssa Dunn, an education professor at Michigan State said it’s not synonymous with indoctrination.
“You’re not requiring students to share your belief, you’re just sharing yours with them,” Dunn said.
When teachers share their political views, they encourage students to think critically.
Teachers can present different perspectives on a given political issue, prompting students to analyze and question viewpoints.
Education professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wayne Journell did a study which revealed that students are unconcerned about the political views of their teachers as long as they don’t feel pressured into adopting a particular viewpoint.
“They actually like knowing where their teachers stand,” Journell said. ”
Teachers can offer useful insights into the political environment, current affairs, and policy issues when expressing political stances. This provides them with the information they need to make wise decisions as future voters and contributing
members of society.
According to the New York Times, students from around the world spoke their opinions on teachers being able to express their political views or not.
A student from the American School of Recife in Brazil, Maria Quidute, was part of this discussion.
“We often portray them as robots and not people who need and deserve their freedom of speech, which by law is obligatory,” Quidute said. “Students should learn from a young age how to handle adversity and have conversations with those who do not share their opinions.”
Quidute also said growth comes from provocation and challenges.
“If we do not crave to listen to others and their beliefs, negligence and ignorance will flood our societies. By so, we will perpetually remain the same,” Quite said.
Open political debates can also help students learn important life lessons, like empathy and respect for other viewpoints. Teachers can encourage students to actively participate in determining the direction of their communities and nation by sharing their political ideas with them and highlighting the value of civic engagement.
Teachers should be able to voice their opinion to enhance learning but not stating them as a fact. Doing so may encourage critical thinking and help students become informed and active citizens.
Educators can use the influence of their position to abuse their power by disciplining students who may disagree with them.PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/Roundup News/RACHAEL ROSENBERG PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/Roundup News/RACHAEL ROSENBERG
Pierce College made a contract with virtual service Timelycare this year, intended to provide well-being and mental health access for students.
Given recent economic worries and health care difficulties for students who aren’t dependent on parents, it is meant to ease the already heavy burden of a college life.
Director of the Student Health Center Houry Tanashian said services have been open since Aug. 28.
“We are trying to do outreach to let students know this service is available to them,” Tanashian said. “The entire staff is learning how to work the Timelycare system.”
Through an app on a smartphone, this center can be accessed with a login register by typing an individual’s student email or through the website online. From there, a profile page can be filled with the name and a couple of identification markers. Mental health care services, personal counseling and yoga may be scheduled, which are free to the students and insurance isn’t necessary.
“The practitioners and the clinicians belong to the Timelycare agency– they are not a part of Pierce College,” Tanashian said. “But these are all licensed psychologists and clinicians that help the students.”
While the Student Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays (except Friday which is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Timelycare is a 24/7 service for every day of the week including holidays and breaks.
ASO President Gayane Zazyan said for either fulltime or part-time students, the service may prove to be beneficial for their well-being.
“Student’s mental health is a priority for us,” Zazyan said.
Excluding private physicians and clinicians, the two major health centers outside Pierce are the West Hills Hospital and Medical Center and the Kaiser Permanente Center.
The United States continues to have the costliest healthcare throughout the world. Healthcare spending reached up to $4.3 trillion in 2021. That averages to approximately $12,900 per person, and it includes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Peter J. Peterson Foundation.
Despite efforts from the government to make it affordable, people still continue to feel stress from premiums and taxes.
Jonathan Green, a Pierce student double majoring in economics and physics, said he is fortunate to be dependent on his parents but knows many students who experience the woes of the healthcare system.
“I know many people who have trouble with healthcare with basic things like dental,” Green said. “They leave it alone until it gets bad enough that they have to get it treated.”
Hundreds of students made their way to the Mall in search of a club that appealed to their interests on Sept. 13 and 14.
Club Rush has been back on campus for the past two semesters after a brief hiatus due to the pandemic. The event allows representatives from the many clubs at Pierce to encourage prospective members to join.
This semester’s event followed an old fashioned country hoedown theme. There were vibrant western costumes and farm animals, as well as lively music. Representatives from various branches of the armed forces visited among all the ASO clubs.
Some of the clubs in attendance include film, theater and psychology.
Film major Devorah Porter of the Film Club said there are many benefits to joining her group.
“Networking is really important,” Porter said. “We get to learn about the camera and how to get interested in film.”
She added the group talks about film and play games related to films.
The club meets on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.at a location to be determined.
Theater major Dale Van Slyke who represents the Theater Club had comments to lure new members.
“We allow them to be themselves, express them-
selves and be surrounded by like-minded people,” Slyke said.
The club also does improv, games and holds auditions to create a show at the end of the semester.
Slyke said that meeting people is what he enjoys most about his club.
The Theater Club meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Andres Chamorro, who is a chemistry major representing the Psychology Club, said that individuality is a great benefit for members who join the club.
“We talk about psychology and how we communicate with others,” Chamorro said.
Chamorro said he also enjoys meeting new people and learning something new everyday.
Among the many students attending the event was Tatiana Torres, a psychology major who is a second year student at Pierce.
“It’s just like a community,” said Torres. “I just want somewhere that I can go, sort of like a family.”
Torres said that it is really good to interact with people who are running the club and see what they are all about.
Fellow second year student Mohamed Kamal, a computer science major is also interested in building relations and making new friends.
“I attended Club Rush to get more involved in the campus, build good friends, communicating, and
networking,” Kamal said.
Kamal also believes that joining a club would enhance his opportunities to meet people who are successful in his field.
There are twenty five ASO clubs at Pierce. They range from French and English to Health and Fitness. There are Cultural clubs as well as academic and lifestyle clubs that promise to benefit an individual’s campus experience. All the clubs are listed on the Pierce College website in the Campus Life section.
Clush Rush returned this fall semester at the Pierce College Mall on Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14. Hundreds of students and faculty attended. The event featured more than 20 clubs and its theme was based on the old American West.
It’s 8 a.m and already a busy day at the Student Center. Some students are running late to their classes, and others are trying to find the right room.
But someone is there to assist.
Gayane Zazyan, the president of the Associated Student Organization, shines with knowledge and with a friendly smile. She starts her day by greeting everyone that passes next to her.
From a young age, Zazyan participated in gymnastics, dancing and singing. She said she wants to help others by being the voice of those who feel lonely, distressed and have no support.
“My favorite song is called ‘My Home,’” Zazyan said. “Which reminds me of how Armenians didn’t have the resources and had to move to make sure we get better education and job opportunities.”
By seeing a smile on the students face and by making a small change in their day it makes her feel fulfilled.
Zazyan spends most of her time on campus working in the Dual Enrollment and Promise Program at Pierce. She helps students understand and reach academic goals.
Pierce student Ares Alarcon said that she seems to be everywhere at once.
“She is at every event I’ve been to and helped me start
the club that I have,” Alarcon said. “She is a great person and I’m very thankful for her.’’
When Zayzan moved to the United States, she often felt alone, so she started volunteering during middle school at the library and later on in a mental hospital, which made her aware that younger people can get into dark places when they have no outside help. She makes sure to create deep connections with students to create community.
“I’m here as a friend and I always have open arms,’’ Zazyan said.
She was still in high school when she became a senator for the ASO.
“It was kind of a messy interview, but I got in, which gave me the opportunity to learn how things and student life is on Pierce campus,’’ she said.
She was also the president of the Armenian club and became the vice president later in the semester.
During her journey, she discovered that justice and understanding people on a deeper level has led her to choose possible careers in law and psychology.
“I really appreciate that she takes the time to understand not only the role of her job but the fact that she has incredible energy, she is very intentional and has amazing ideas for the upcoming year,’’ Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga said.
Newly elected ASO president seeks to make change and build community
Cedars Sinai held a blood drive on the Mall at Pierce on Monday. Students lined up outside of the bright red truck to give back to the community. One pint per person can help save lives.
It’s another Thursday at Pierce College and the LAPC music department hosted another free concert, introducing Balanese music to students at the main stage theater.
The Gangsa Pemade is introduced to the crowd, a traditional Balanese music instrument from Indonesia consisting of Bronze keys above bamboo cylindrical tube resonators.
Both musicians played at once with independent notes interlocking with each other, making a melody.
Musicians Kayle Khanmohamed and Matthew Clough-Hunter are two members of the Gamelan Merdu Kumala (GMK), an American Gamelan community non-profit organization based in Tujunga, Calif.
The organization was founded in 2014 by Hirotaka Inuzuka and now is run by Khanmohamed and Clough-Hunter. They offer classes, workshops and performances to create a community of musical awareness and experience.
Both musicians have studied Gamelan for many years, and now, they are teaching it to the community. Their inspiration started in college when they met their teachers Djoko Walujo and Nyoman Wenten.
Gamelan music is not recorded or written, making it a one-time experience. It is usually played by a bigger orchestra, and the songs vary depending on the event. They have some for ritual and religious purposes and others just for presentations and concerts.
ASO concert series director and percussion adjunct instructor Kevin Good said that Khanmohamed and Clough-Hunter are both fantastic musicians.
“It’s so wonderful to have them show the students of Pierce Gamelan music from Bali,” Good said.’
Their songs included “Ujan Mas” which the translation in English is “Golden rain”, “Pengrangran Quarter, Dongkrak”, “Siwa Nata” and “Pengrangran Half, Sekar Gendot.”
The next Thursday concert will be on Sept. 27, featuring singer and songwriter Steven Van Benton.
After losing in straight sets to Cal Lutheran JV, women’s volleyball returned to the court to take on the West LA College Wildcats on Friday.
The Brahmas were unable to tame the Wildcats as they lost in five sets (13-25, 16-25, 25-17, 25-20 and 7-15).
Middle blocker Lamyia Sorhaindo led the team with 12 kills, while setter Alyssa Benner had 33 assists.
Brooke Romano said the team started well, but they got complacent as the game progressed.
“We were making ourselves, but we got too confident saying we got this in the bag,” Romano said. “Our skill level started to go down.”
Romano said that they have to work on their passing.
Kayla Fisher said that despite the loss, this was one of their best games.
“We lost, but it was like a win because a lot of positives came out from this game,” Fisher said. “We took them to five sets and that shows we can stick it out and we can work.”
Fisher said the team has to continue fighting because the talent is there.
Assistant coach Carrie Wright said it was a good battle between both teams.
“Our team stayed energized and we tried the entire match,” Wright said. Our middles had the best match. The bench
stayed cheering and motivating those who were playing.”
Wright said they will work on serving in addition to passing. The team made 11 serving errors against West LA.
Women’s volleyball are on a two-game losing streak since their last win against LA City College.
With the loss against the Wildcats, Pierce drops to 2-7 overall.
The team has two games this week. They are on the road Wednesday as they face Antelope Valley College.
Their next home game is Friday against Glendale. Both games begin at 6 p.m. Myraneli Fabian contributed to this story.
By Jacob Macofsky Reporter
Tensions flared after a late tackle on Wildcats quarterback Brandon Lussier, resulting in a brawl on the Wildcats sideline, prematurely ending the game.
The Pierce College Brahmas hosted the football game against the West L.A. Wildcats Saturday in a come-frombehind 29-22 victory, with the game ending about a minute before the end of regulation, after the fight.
Pierce second string quarterback Maqael Henderson made his presence felt on the field by delivering two rushing touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to seal a victory for his squad.
The Brahmas may have finished the game as winners, but Head Coach James Sims was not impressed with the level of play his team demonstrated against the Wildcats.
“I was really disappointed,” Sims said. “The competition is not going to do anything but get harder, and I just think we should’ve had a much better game. We have to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do, but I’m very disappointed
with the performance.”
Brahmas wide receiver Jamarion Collins, who led all receivers with five receptions and 83 yards in the win, said he thinks the team is improving.
“I believe we did pretty well, but not as well as I know we could’ve,” Collins said. “We’re still new to each other, and new to the league, so we’re just learning on the
attempting just three passes in the first quarter. The freshman finished with a 64.7 percent completion rate on 17 attempts, but threw for just 112 yards in the air and was subsequently benched after throwing the only interception of the game. Henderson was stunted in the passing game, posting a subpar 42.9 percent completion rate on 7 attempts for 66 yards, but elevated the team with his 35 rushing yards and two lategame rushing touchdowns.
Sims praised Parr as a leader for the team and Henderson as a dynamic dual-threat player.
“Our offensive line has to do a better job of protecting him, but he’s a smart leader,” Sims said.
fly. I think it’s all about just coming together as a team.”
Brahmas wide receiver Randy Peters, who finished with 28 yards on four receptions, said he felt the team played OK.
“We have to come back next week stronger– physically and mentally– and just get ready for Saturday,” Peters said.
Kadyn Parr started the game at quarterback for the Brahmas. He was limited in the passing game in the first half,
“Maqael Henderson is just on a different level. He can run [the ball] and he can throw it. I keep telling him if he just touches up on his short game, then there’s Division 1.”
The Brahmas improve to 2-1 on the young season, while the Wildcats are still in search of their first win.
The Brahmas will look to create a winning streak, as they will host the College of the Desert Roadrunners Saturday, with game time scheduled for 6 p.m.
“The competition is not going to do anything but get harder, and I just think we should’ve had a much better game.”
-James Sims, Head CoachRoundup News/MYRANELI FABIAN Elizabeth Fawcett serves the ball during a game against West LA College at Pierce in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2023. Roundup News/MYRANELI FABIAN Kamelia Brown (1) attempts to block Jazmin Hawkins’ (13) hit during a game against West LA College at Ken Stanley Court at Pierce in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2023.
Matthew Clough-Hunter (left) and Kayle Khanmohamed (right) perform during their gamelan performance and lecture in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 14, 2023.
Photo by Owen Meza.