Step inside the second floor of the Grossmont College Tech Mall, and you’ll find one of the most unique and transformative spaces on the Grossmont College campus. The Village is a brand-new student cultural hub that includes student services, community, and culture. It also brings together specialized counseling programs under one roof.
The Village includes Grossmont College departments A2MEND, Dream Center, Justice Scholars, Umoja, TRIO/EOC, Puente and Success Coaches. It also includes community partnerships such as Jewish Family Services, which provides legal services to students in the Village.
“The Village is a dream,” said Martha Clavelle, dean of counseling services. “When I arrived at Grossmont College, our specialty programs were parceled throughout campus, and they really needed a home. Our students need and deserve more attention and a place to call home, a place where they can just be themselves.”
The Village opened in fall 2023 and is a student-focused, mixed-use space. Students can meet privately with their counselor, log onto the library Wi-Fi from comfy couches, create and attend events and workshops, hang out with friends from their cohorts, and meet students from other programs.
The Village is an extension of Grossmont College counseling services with enhanced holistic care. It supports students through academic counseling and provides comprehensive care at the intersectionality of their social, cultural, and financial needs.
“This is a place for students who are historically marginalized to be a part of their community and to engage in their community,” Clavelle said. “It understands the unique needs of our students”
Two of the students the campus community is likely to find at The Village are Nia McClean and Christian Thornton, two Umoja students who frequently utilize The Village.
“The Village is really important because it provides resources for our students,” said McClean. There are specific resources like Puente and Umoja and general support like the success coaches, and they’re all right next to each other.”
McClean and Thornton are two of the most involved student leaders on campus. In addition to being a double art major and Umoja student, McClean is an international student, works with Grossmont College Student Success Coaches, she’s vice president of the Umoja club, and works with A2MEND. Thornton is a psychology major, the executive vice president of the Associated Students of Grossmont College, and leads the bible study club on campus.
“My friends make school fun.” Thornton said when asked why he visits the Village every day. “I feel very myself and very comfortable. I can talk the way I want to talk, and I can have fun with the people I want to have fun with. The people and counselors in the Village really care about us. They want us to make moves. They’re trying to get us scholarships, they’re always trying to plug us with different opportunities. It keeps me coming back because I know that they care.”
For Clavelle, it is important to create meaningful experiences for students like McClean and Thornton. The Village is looking to plan more programming that combines comprehensive student support with community building, such as barbershop talks, porch talks, community hours, financial literacy workshops, and more.
“The Village gives us an opportunity to remind us of what joy sounds like,” Clavelle said. “If anyone wants to be reminded of what joy sounds like at Grossmont College, please come visit us at The Village. You will be reminded on a daily basis of what historically marginalized students sound like when they are at peace.”