The Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs is losing one of its four coordinators.
Marcelina Treviño-Savala, coordinator of the Chicano/Latino Student Affairs, is leaving the office to be the program coordinator at the High School Equivalency Program.
“It’s an opportunity for me to grow professionally and personally,” Treviño-Savala said.
The equivalency program is funded by a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Education. The program is part of MSU’s College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, which includes support services and aims to increase retention for students with migrant worker backgrounds. In her new position, Treviño-Savala will oversee the daily activities of the program’s participants. The 12-week program seeks to help students pass an exam which will earn them the equivalency of a high school diploma.
Although her last official day at the office was Tuesday, Treviño-Savala, who has been with the office for two years, continues to perform duties for both positions.
“I want to make sure it’s a smooth transition,” she said.
While the office searches for Treviño-Savala’s replacement, she wants her students to know she is still available as a resource to them. She added the office expects to find a new coordinator within a month.
“I’m always here as a support for them whether I’m in this office or at HEP, I’m always available to them,” she said. “I love the students.”
Louis Garcia, director of both the CAMP and equivalency program, said Treviño-Savala’s work with students will be helpful in her new position.
“She’ll be a valuable asset,” he said. “She has an extensive background in working with Chicano and Latino students. She’s familiar with the university resources that are available to all the students.”
Garcia said students who participate in the program can move on to being members of CAMP as well.
“It’s for those people who had to drop out of high school at an early age,” Garcia said. “Many of them to work.”
The program also helps participants look at future career possibilities, Garcia said.
Although she will be missed, Treviño-Savala’s co-worker Nikki O’Brien said the office is happy for her.
“I’m very happy for her that she is in a position where she can serve her community,” said O’Brien, the coordinator for African American Student Affairs. And students will still be able to visit her on campus, she added.
“It’s not like she’s completely leaving campus,” O’Brien said. “She’ll still be available, just in a different capacity.”
