By Alyse Kiara Deatherage 

Mt. San Jacinto Community College District began in 1962, and started enrolling students from the Banning, Beaumont, Hemet, and San Jacinto areas in 1963. Since then, they’ve actively worked to help students achieve their goals and get closer to their dreams through the education and community they provide.  

MSJC’s mission statement is as follows:  

“Mt. San Jacinto College offers quality, accessible, equitable and innovative educational programs and services to students aspiring to achieve their academic, career and personal development goals.  

“We provide students a safe environment in which to pursue basic skills, career and general education pathways. Our programs lead to transfer, associate degrees and certificates, which meet workforce development needs in our diverse communities. Our commitment to learning and achievement empowers students to enrich our communities and participate meaningfully in today’s complex world,” according to the MSJC website.  

Savannah Pahl is a student who has just finished her second semester at MSJC. She came to MSJC because it was local to her high school, Vista Murrieta High School, and a lot of her friends had also decided to go to MSJC after graduation.  

“I didn’t want to leave high school, so coming to a place with familiar faces helped a lot,” said Pahl.  

Pahl had a difficult time with the transition because she missed seeing her teachers and classmates she had to leave behind. However, she said that having her best friend by her side during the transition helped make it easier.  

Since coming to MSJC, Pahl has joined the First Year Experience program as well as the Supplemental Instruction program. Both programs have helped Pahl throughout her time at MSJC thus far and have made it more enjoyable.  

“My first semester FYE Mentors especially helped me when it came time to choose my classes,” said Pahl. “I got lots of recommendations for what professors to take my classes with.”

Pahl also said that FYE Mentors helped her find her way around campus when she first started at MSJC and introduced her to new people to help welcome her.  

“As an SI Leader, I have received support from my SI family both inside and outside the classroom,” said Pahl. “Outside the classroom, being an SI Leader has given me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people around campus and become more comfortable talking to people I don’t know.” 

James Parker has been a student at MSJC since the Spring semester of 2018. Parker tried enrolling during 2016, but found the enrollment process to be difficult due to struggles at home, but he returned in 2017 and was very happy to start his first semester in 2018.  

Like Pahl, Parker has been involved in many clubs and programs on campus, including Supplemental Instruction, UMOJA, Tutoring, Phi Theta Kappa, A2MEND, and Mu Alpha Theta. 

“They have had the biggest impact on my time at MSJC because without these programs I wouldn’t know all the wonderful people that I know,” said Parker.  

Parker has always enjoyed attending school, but he finds more encouragement and excitement in attending school because of the bonds he has built with people on campus.  

“Without these, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the experiences of professional development and conference trips, which also introduced me to more people that are intelligent and amazing,” said Parker.  

MSJC officials encourage students to join clubs and programs on campus and are excited to work with students on coordinating events and activities for those clubs.  

MSJC’s Marketing Team works to get the word out on all events on campus by alerting students weekly through their MSJC student email, updating the events calendar on the MSJC website, and updating their social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.  

 “We are excited to help get the word out to students about all of the programs, events and opportunities at Mt. San Jacinto College,” said MSJC Marketing Director Karin Marriott. “Each member of the MSJC Public Information and Marketing team has a “students first” attitude and we know that what we do shapes your experience here at MSJC.”

Like the students at MSJC, Marriott said that she and her team know that the clubs and programs on campus create a community for the students, as well as for the staff at MSJC, and they are happy to be a part of that community.  

“We also feel like this is a community and many of us feel like we are family,” said Marriott. “So we want to make sure the experience you have is one you will remember with fondness and a sense of pride.” 

Like many of the professors and staff members on campus, the Marketing Team’s door is always open and they are happy to welcome in students anytime. They are in room 222 on the SJC campus.  

“We enjoy it when students come in to introduce themselves,” said Marriott. “It really brings an energy and excitement we love to have in our office.” 

Throughout The Talon’s many changes, including moving to a completely online platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSJC’s Marketing Team has been an endless stream of support. They enjoy being able to help and support all clubs on campus, and sometimes even join in on the fun of event activities.  

The photos above include Talon members at design meetings, Christmas events, and outreach events on campus. The Talon has an assortment of students on each campus who are still attending meetings virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MSJC has a large variety of support systems, including, but not limited to, the many programs mentioned and the MSJC Marketing Team, that create this strong sense of community. Students who are excited to begin their journey of furthering their education while building community with new friends and companions can learn more about registering for classes on the MSJC website, or in their student Eagle Advisor.