Pacific Oaks College: Student Success Center

🐍 Happy Lunar New Year! 🐍

Wishing you prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune as we welcome the Year of the Snake! May this year bring you strength, transformation, and success in all that you do. 🧧✨

Dear PO Community,
We are excited to announce that the space formerly known as the Learning Commons/Library on campus has been renamed the Student Grove!
In the new Student Grove, you will find staff of the Student Success Center as well as both the CARE and CARE Learning Center - all in one convenient location to support your academic and personal success. Made possible by a Title V Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grant from the Department of Education, the newly designed space includes comfy seating and study space options, charging and computer stations, and the lending library! More info on hours and staff can be found below.
Please note that the Library has been relocated to Classroom #1, so be sure to check out the great new space when you have a moment.
Stop by today to explore the Student Grove and see how this space can support you in your journey! Also, keep an eye out for an upcoming invitation to our Open House - we can’t wait to welcome you all and show you around!
With PO Pride!

🌟 As this year comes to a close, we want to wish you a Happy New Year! 🥳🎉 Thank you for being a part of our community and making this year special.

✨ Be sure to check your emails in January—we have some fun surprises coming your way! Stay tuned!

Here’s to a bright and exciting 2025!

Hello! ¡Hola PO Community!
The Student Success Center has officially moved!
We’re now located in the Main Building 45, in the Learning Commons, also known as the Library. Our services are available, and we’re excited to continue supporting you from our new space.
Stop by and check out our new home! We look forward to seeing you soon!
If you have any questions, please contact us at 626-529-8080 or email us at [email protected]

Yesterday, the Office of Student Engagement and the Student Success Center celebrated International Volunteer Day at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. A special shoutout to Quinn, our amazing student, for helping us cook a delicious meal for the families! On the menu: baked ziti and a fresh salad. 💛🍽

Today, we had the privilege of volunteering at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, where we prepared spaghetti and meatballs with a fresh salad for families staying there. 🌟 It was an incredible experience to share smiles, food, and warmth.

A heartfelt thank you to .rmh for inviting us to be part of this meaningful day. We can’t wait to return this Thursday for National Volunteer Day!

A special shout-out to Lilia, one of our amazing students—your time and energy made today even more special. We had so much fun with you! 🧡

Happy Thanksgiving!
From all of us at the Student Success Center, we’re grateful for our amazing students and community!

The Student Government Association (SGA) at Pacific Oaks College is collaborating with Ronald McDonald House Charities to assist with food preparation and meal cooking for the Meals of Love program, supporting families at the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena. We invite you to join us on December 3rd or 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in participating, please complete the form in our story. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community! Happy Holidays!

Meet Melissa, our Associate Director/ Student Success Coach & PO Alumna! MA in Organizational Leadership & Management Class of 2023!

“As a Latina first-generation college graduate, I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, scared, and unsure if you’ll make it—but trust me, YOU CAN! I’m passionate about helping students who just need a little extra support. Meeting with them, witnessing that light bulb moment when things finally click, and celebrating their success as they cross the graduation stage—that’s why I do this work.

To every student who feels like giving up: Don’t stop now. You are so close. Keep pushing. Your dreams are worth it, and so are you.”

Meet Kenia, our Administrative Compliance Assistant and proud PO alumna M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy Class of 2024!
“I feel an immense sense of pride being First Gen in my family. I am the first to go to college and the first to have received a masters degree! I’m grateful that I was able to achieve such accomplishments, not just for me but for my family as well.

Being first gen is much more than just recognition and accolades. It’s taught me the value of believing in oneself, in learning to accept and embrace oneself, acknowledging one’s own gifts, talents, and power. For me, being first gen means I have the privilege, gift, and honor of carving out my own path for myself, enabling me to create the life I desire. In doing so, I hope that I lead by example and will always strive to uplift others. Si soy la primera, pero no la última.”