As we wrap up another Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of the many ways you all contribute to the rich history and culture of Merced College and our region. Your commitment to one another and to our mission help make this a place where students feel they belong and have the support they need to succeed.

In this issue of the Blue Devil’s Advocate, we meet two longtime colleagues whose friendship has helped shape one of our most successful student support programs. English Professor Mike Barba and Counselor Enrique Renteria have worked together for 23 years leading the Puente Program, helping generations of students prepare for transfer and success beyond Merced College.

One of the 12 questions in Gallup’s Q12 employee engagement survey—which helps inform our own employee engagement efforts—asks whether we have a “best friend” at work. It’s a question that sometimes raises eyebrows, but I’ve always believed in the value of strong workplace relationships. Mike and Enrique are a perfect example: Their 23-year friendship has strengthened their work, benefited generations of students, and helped establish best practices now used by Puente programs across California.

We also meet alumna Martha Sanchez, whose experience in Puente helped her find her path from Merced College to UC Davis and eventually to a rewarding career serving others through the Merced County Probation Department. Her story illustrates the lasting impact of student support and mentorship, and how the opportunities we create for one student can ultimately benefit an entire community.

That same commitment to creating opportunity is at the heart of our new South Merced Center, which celebrated its grand opening in September. Establishing a physical presence in South Merced was a specific objective in our Strategic Implementation Plan, and it is especially gratifying to see that vision become reality. As we prepare to begin developing our next Educational Master Plan, this project offers a tangible reminder that thoughtful planning, community engagement, and collaboration can lead to meaningful results.

Finally, our Team Q&A introduces Enrollment and Retention Specialist Veronica Briceno, whose own journey from growing up in South Merced to attending and now working at Merced College reflects the importance of helping students recognize the opportunities available to them. Her perspective reinforces our focus this month on the core value of Student Engagement & Support.

These stories demonstrate what that value looks like in practice. Whether through a trusted counselor, a lifelong mentor, a friendship between colleagues, or a new physical space bringing educational resources closer to home, student success begins with people who care enough to make a difference. As we continue “Living Out Our CORE” this academic year, I encourage each of us to look for those opportunities in our own work, one student and one interaction at a time.