LGBTQ+ Awards & Recognition
Rise & Shine Scholarship Reception Program
Donate Here to support MJC LGBTQ+ Students & the Academics of Excellence Scholarship!
2022-2023 PRIDE Scholarship Recipients!
Suan Fuentes
My name is Suan Fuentes, I'm a proud Salvadoran and bisexual student in MJC. I am also a psychology major. This scholarship is something that I am very grateful for, it’s an opportunity for me to keep advancing academically. The scholarship is going to help me get closer to becoming a psychologist, which has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. My goal in life is to help others however I can, especially with mental health. I'm very thankful for this scholarship as it'll get me closer to my goal.
Asher Ford
Coming from a generationally undereducated family, it is an honor to be receiving achievements such as this scholarship. It reminds me that what I am doing is worthwhile and motivates me to continue striving forward in my academic pursuits and life goals. Being a psychology major with the hopes of entering a helping field, it reminds me of the hope I aspire to someday instill in others, especially the LGBT+ youth who come from roots similar to mine. Thank you!
Finn Seja
First off, I’d like to say thank you to the MJC LGBTQ+ Scholarship Committee for this amazing opportunity! I’m a first year college student majoring in Natural Sciences for transfer and have been working in LGBTQ+ advocacy groups for several years now. Balancing work with school has been difficult and I have been unable to find a job that works with my school schedule so being a recipient of this scholarship has eased my stress about figuring out how to pay for my fall and spring textbooks along with helping maintain my car so I can travel to and from school. I am deeply grateful for the recognition our community receives when we are given moments. Thank you again, Go Pirates!
Jay Brown
My name is Jay Brown and I am so incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship. This excellence scholarship will impact my education rather significantly, especially at this time in my life. I’m a full-time student and part-time worker and I empty my savings to pay for tuition and textbooks whenever the time rolls around. My mental health will greatly improve with the help of this scholarship which is likely to improve my performance in classes as well. Overall, greater financial security increases the chances that I’ll be able to finish my degree and I couldn't be more appreciative!
Belen Juarez-Martinez
My name is Belen Juarez-Martinez and my pronouns are they/them. This is my second year here at Modesto Junior College and I am a majoring in Design & Technical Theater. I plan to transfer to a 4-year university and broaden my scope in the theater world. I have done so many things to represent our community on campus that I didn’t know I was capable of doing, and it’s all thanks to the LGBTQ+ Advocates. I will use this scholarship to allow me to continue representing our community on this campus and on my future one. I am so thankful to be given this opportunity!
2022-2023 MJC LGBTQ+ DIVA AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Diversity, Inclusion, Vision, & Advocacy
The Marylou Hacker DIVA (Diversity, Inclusion, Vision & Advocacy) Award is created
in honor of the
work started by retired Faculty member, Marylou Hacker, in service and advocacy to
the LGBTQ+
community at MJC. MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates recognize people and organizations who have
moved
the goals of the LGBTQ+ community forward on campus in the community. Recipients of
the DIVA
Award were nominated and confirmed by vote of the MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates.
Belen Juarez-Martinez
Belen has been an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate at MJC since starting their
educational journey in 2021, served as a student panelist for at the 2022 LGBTQ+
Pride Conference, and co-founded the student Parrot club in Fall of 2022.
Tania Adkins
Tania is a retired MJC Nursing Faculty who always shows up to support our LGBTQ+ community here at MJC. She is an MJC LGBTQ+ Advocate, served on the Rainbow Graduation committee, and is a fierce Ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
2021-2022 MJC LGBTQ+ DIVA AWARD RECIPIENTS!
MARYLOU HACKER ROUSSEAU - Retired MJC Professor, 1st Advisor to MJC's LGBTQ+ Club
Marylou created a safe space at MJC during a time when being a member of the LGBTQ+ Community was not as accepted in the Central Valley as it is today. During her tenure at MJC, Marylou was the first club advisor to the LGBTQ+ focused student organization, "The Rainbow Club".
REBECCA REYES - English Professor, Member of MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates
As a member of the LGBTQ+ Advocates, Rebecca was a champion for creating student supportive
spaces. Rebecca was leading the charge on further developing curriculum with a focus
on LGBTQ+ Studies.
Rebecca's gentle spirit and energetic allyship will be missed!
DR. JENNIFER ZELLET - MJC Vice President of Instruction, member of MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates
Dr. Jennifer Zellet is a long time supporter of the LGBTQ+ Community at MJC, offering
professional, personal, and institutional support to employees and students alike.
Dr. Zellet served as an
inaugural mentor to students in the MJC LGBTQ+ Mentorship Program. Additionally, Dr.
Zellet dedicated her PURDY monetary Award to the work of the MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates.
Dr. Zellet is a fierce advocate in creating spaces and services for the LGBTQ+ community
at MJC.
LGBTQIA+/2S COLLABORATIVE
www.lgbtqcollaborative.org
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Allies, Two-Spirited and other identity persons (LGBTQIA+/2S) Collaborative is an association dedicated to Education, Advocacy and Training for inclusion of ALL in the community at large. Multiple members of the agency are involved on MJC LGBTQ+ Advocate committees, and provide valuable wrap-around services to the extended LGBTQ+ community.
MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates Honored with Cardoza Award, Spring 2022!
Purdy Awards for Excellence in Education
The Purdy Awards for Excellence in Education are funded through a bequest from the Raymond and Carolyn Purdy Estate
The 2021, MJC management professional award went to Dr. Jennifer Zellet. Dr. Zellet has chosen her monetary award in the amount of $1,400 to go to the MJC LGBTQ+ Advocates. Congratulations and thank you Dr. Zellet!
2020-2021 PRIDE Scholarship Recipients!
2021 Pride Scholar Newsletter Including Student Scholarship Recipients
Daniel Chavez
Daniel is beginning his second semester at Modesto Junior College with a dedicated focus on Substance Abuse Counseling, Chemical Dependency and Human Services. Daniel started off his career as a professional Makeup artist for 21 years before making a major change in his life and education goals, due to his own personal experience. Daniel is a recovering addict who has a passion and purpose for helping his LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in our community get clean and sober. Daniel knows that one addict helping another is without parallel and that the LGBTQ+ community is in need of role models who have been at rock bottom and found a way to climb out of the darkness of addiction. Daniel is currently working in the SUD field and he is using the amazing education and tools at MJC to better his understanding of making a difference in someone’s life. Daniel is working to give the suffering addict a second chance at a first rate life. This has been an exciting year for Daniel and the gifts that recovery and education offer are manifesting in his life. Daniel will marry his husband Casey on July 18th, 2021. He is also the Fundraising and Entertainment Chair for the Narcotics Anonymous 2021 Convention in Modesto Ca. and Daniel was recently casted in Modesto Performing Arts rendition of West Side Story performing at the Gallo Theater this summer. Not to mention Daniel’s continued education with MJC including summer classes and a full fall schedule. Daniel is grateful for this award and will use this scholarship to the fullest. He will be one of the champions leading the fight against addiction by walking hand in hand with our struggling community. If you or anyone you know is looking to get clean, Daniel will be there waiting to hold our hands though the journey.
Francisco Del Valle
My name is Francisco and I am now an Alumni of the MJC Dance Program and now a current SJSU Spartan. I am currently studying dance with hopes of later on achieving a Master's of Fine Arts degree so I can become a Professor of Dance like my honorable professors Kim T. Davis and Maggie Sniffen. I felt welcomed and like I had a space to learn and grow thanks to them and I would like to provide a safe place for all my students and give them the best experience I can give like the one I was given here at MJC. I am grateful to be receiving this scholarship as it will help me a lot within my higher education as it will help pay for my education as higher education isn’t known to be the most affordable. It will allow me to pay for some school supplies so I can be successful and hopefully graduate on time so I can take out less loans. I couldn’t have achieved what I have achieved now without such a supportive and loving faculty. I am forever grateful.
MJC Dance Alumni 21’ & SJSU BFA Dance Major
Hector Flores
My name is Hector Flores and I have the honor of being selected as a scholarship recipient! I am currently a 2nd-year student at MJC majoring in Agriculture Business. I plan to transfer out to a 4- year University in hopes to become involved in law and help advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. I am so thankful for this opportunity and look forward to making a difference for the community!
Holly Wilson
I am Holly Wilson and I just graduated from MJC this Spring as a Child Development and Psychology major. I am transferring to Sacramento State University this Fall into the Child Development Social and Community B.A. Program. At Sac State, I will be earning a Masters in Child Development and a minor in Art. I plan on becoming an art therapist for children, adolescents, and young adults who would benefit from creative expression, emotional regulation, and building selfesteem. My future goal is to create a safe community space where people from all diverse backgrounds can come together and create art, connect socially, be themselves, and heal from trauma. As an advocate for suicide prevention and survivor of suicide, I know how important and valuable supportive community programs can be for people, especially the LGBTQ+ community. I was in my third semester at MJC in 2018 when I came out to my family and the world, so having an overwhelming amount of advocates on campus for LGBTQ+ rights meant a lot to me during my time here at MJC. I am grateful and truly honored to accept this scholarship from the MJC LGBTQ+ Advocacy group. This scholarship will help me get closer to achieving my educational goals, thank you!!!