San Jacinto College offers many free student services to enable success.
When students enroll in classes at San Jacinto College, they’re hardly alone in the process of becoming and being college students.
The beauty of a community college is that there are free services available with highly-trained staff ready to assist. However, these services may go unnoticed as a student becomes busy with classes and adjusting to college life. This is why one of the important first steps a student should consider is visiting a counselor at any one of the three Educational Planning and Counseling offices located at each San Jacinto College campus. While some may see counseling as a reaction to a situation, Christine Torres, Director of Educational Planning and Counseling, explains that counseling can be a very proactive step in ensuring student success.
“Our office is here to provide students with educational planning,” said Torres. “We help students with choosing a major, selection of courses, career counseling, and transfer advisement.”
Once a student is enrolled to take courses, he or she is welcomed to the College with services such as Orientation and First Year Experience. Veterans find a place of their own at the College through the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success. Free financial aid assistance is available, as well as other services like Disability Services, free resume and job search assistance through the Career and Employment Centers, and free tutoring through the Student Success Centers.
Another free service includes Student Life with offices located at each campus, bringing students together through events and activities. With a wide variety of student organizations to get involved in, there’s something for everyone.
“Our San Jacinto College staff are definitely a part of the overall college experience,” said Torres. “We often times work hand in hand with all departments on campus to ensure that we are supporting our students in the best way possible.”
New San Jacinto College students will also be provided information about free services for those in need through awareness events for depression screening, mental health, and alcohol/substance abuse. Torres added that the College also offers short-term personal counseling.
For those students who plan to transfer to universities, the College provides a few annual trips to universities free of charge. A service is provided to San Jacinto College students at just about every step of the way in their college experience, including as they cross the commencement stage.
“Each and every one of us has an important role at San Jacinto College commencement ceremonies,” said Torres. “I, personally, take great pride in being able to see students that I have worked with walk across the stage at graduation. It’s a rewarding feeling, and that is why we’re here to help.”
A complete list of all student services offered at San Jacinto College can be found by visiting sanjac.edu.
– Jeannie Peng-Armao