When Traci Whittemore decided to resume her college degree pursuits two years ago at the CSU Stanislaus-Stockton Center, she discovered her own personal pot of gold along with the Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice presented to her in June.

That treasure came in the form of a $48,000 post-graduate scholarship that the mother of three from Tracy accepted from Golden Gate Law School in San Francisco to pursue her law degree.

A recently formed Stockton Advisory Group that includes a cross-section of community leaders is mounting a scholarship fundraising drive to give more students a crack at realizing their dreams and career goals through higher education. The Stockton Center Scholarship Fund is designed to encourage deserving high school students to attend local community colleges and then transfer to the CSU Stanislaus-Stockton Center where they would receive $5,000 scholarships to cover the cost of fees and textbooks. The program seeks to help meet one of the biggest work force needs in San Joaquin County – more people with college degrees.

Whittemore was among a group from the ranks of the nearly 200 Stockton Center degree recipients who participated in the June 3 Graduates Reception next to the Magnolia Mansion at University Park.

As students were recognized individually and expressed themselves before family and friends and University faculty and staff, their triumphant reactions echoed as testimonials to those who helped them hurdle a variety of obstacles. Many are thankful for the opportunity to complete their degrees locally in the face of difficult financial challenges and a chance at building successful careers.

“The convenience of being able to take my classes in the evening enabled me to work out a schedule with my children, a big concern for me, since one of them is disabled,” Whittemore said. “My professors were very supportive, and I’m really pleased that I’ll have the chance to become a lawyer.”

Stories of student determination abound at the Stockton Center where the average age is 32 and most of those taking the evening classes also work full-time jobs and rely on financial aid for additional help. Jacki Montijo, 44, of Stockton, who completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology this year and plans to work as a school counselor, said she had been taking college classes off-and-on for the past 27 years.
Another psychology graduate, Luis Barrera of Stockton, said he returned to college after injuring his neck on the job. He is pursuing plans with his degree in hand to start a new career as a family counselor.