ElCo Chats

El Camino College
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El Camino College's "ElCo Chats" podcast series shares inspiring stories of student success as told by our own students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Discover what El Camino has to offer through the experiences of those who achieved their goals or are continuing their journey, and hear from those who helped guide them on a path to success.

  1. 12/03/2025

    ECC President Shares First-Gen Experience, Career Journey

    El Camino President/CEO Dr. Brenda Thames talks about her experience as a first-gen college student, which guided her career dedicated to helping students succeed. Also sharing the positive impact of mentors who believed in her, she wants students to know that a team at El Camino is ready to help them get where they want to be, from assistance with the higher education process to learning how to get the most out of their college experience.

    27 min

  2. 11/06/2025

    Finding Community with Veterans Services at El Camino

    When student veteran Daniel Contreras decided to enroll in college after serving in the U.S. Army, he started by taking a walk around El Camino. He found the Veterans Services Office and realized he would not be alone on his academic journey. Through the Veteran’s Resources Center, he found assistance with his education benefits, along with a welcoming community where he is among others with similar experiences.

    17 min

  3. 10/01/2025

    Returning to El Camino for New Career

    Alexis returned to El Camino for a career change. After earning two degrees at ECC and a bachelor’s degree, she landed a great job in media. Soon, she recognized her passion for working in education. She is back at El Camino pursuing a degree and career in teaching. Her advice to others in the same position? “Switch it if you need to! You want something that's going to bring you a lot of joy to keep you going every day.”

    16 min

  4. 09/03/2025

    Level up with Career Services at El Camino

    Jason Barquero, El Camino’s dean of workforce readiness & student life, is focused on putting students to work. A big part of this is providing access and opening doors to employment options in all kinds of businesses and industries so students can pursue the career of their dreams. He also shares information about Intern South Bay, ECC’s first signature internship program that launched in summer 2025.

    28 min

  5. 06/12/2025

    From Student to Professor at El Camino

    El Camino alumna, professor of communication studies and assistant director of forensics Brittany Hubble shares her experiences at the college, with a focus on her involvement with the powerhouse speech and debate team. With her unique perspective as both a student and an instructor, she advises students to experience as much as possible outside of class and get to know others in the college community.

    26 min

  6. 05/29/2025

    Building Bridges with the MANA Program

    MANA coordinator Mele Makalo and alumna Fine Tuitupou share how the program guides Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian, and Native American students through the college experience, from enrollment through graduation. Community is key, they said – MANA offers a place to call home. Mele added that one-on-one services such as academic and social interactions, career development, graduation/transfer assistance, and mentorship make all the difference. Fine, also a recent UC Berkeley grad, said MANA helped shape her future; she appreciated being a part of a community where she felt seen and heard.

    29 min

  7. 05/15/2025

    Pride and Community at El Camino

    As ECC’s LGBTQIA+ Student Success Coordinator, Kenny Simkins wants to make sure all students, faculty and staff feel welcome on campus. He invites everyone to visit the new Pride Center and plans workshops and activities inspired by student feedback so that programming meets their needs. An advocate for higher education, he also encourages prospective students to enroll at El Camino: “Come as you are … there’s a place for you on this campus.”

    15 min

  8. 04/16/2025

    How to Start Your College Journey In High School

    Emily Torres is a junior at Gardena High who also takes classes at El Camino through the college’s dual enrollment program. The first-gen biology major plans to earn an associate degree at the same time she graduates from high school – with no enrollment fees. Her schedule is challenging, but she says her classes are interesting and supportive professors and staff members help her navigate the college experience.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

El Camino College's "ElCo Chats" podcast series shares inspiring stories of student success as told by our own students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Discover what El Camino has to offer through the experiences of those who achieved their goals or are continuing their journey, and hear from those who helped guide them on a path to success.

Information

  • Creator
    El Camino College
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 El Camino College
  • Show Website
    ElCo Chats