NORWALK, CA - May 14, 2007 - Cerritos College's Project HOPE (Health Opportunities and Pipeline to Education), and premiere sponsors Health Net of California, Orange County's Credit Union and

Cerritos College's Project HOPE (Health Opportunities and Pipeline to Education), and premiere sponsors Health Net of California and Verizon saluted 22 graduates of the Project HOPE program on Wednesday, May 9.

Verizon saluted 22 graduates of the Project HOPE program on Wednesday, May 9 during the program's third annual graduation banquet entitled "Ensuring Diversity in the Health Professions." The ceremony celebrated the upcoming transition of the students to four-year universities now that they have earned their associate's degrees at Cerritos College.

The Project HOPE Class of 2007 included Angelica Barrera-Ng, transferring to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF); Mario Carrasco, who transferred to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH); Cynthia Ceretti, who graduated from Cerritos College's Nursing Program in the fall of 2006 and plans to pursue a BSN; Sonia Diaz, who was admitted into the Cerritos College Nursing Program in the spring of 2007 and plans to become a registered nurse; Margot Cisneros, who was admitted into the Cerritos College Nursing Program in the spring of 2007 and plans to become a registered nurse; Janei Dominguez, who transferred to the University of California, Riverside (UCI); Alvaro Espinoza, who will be transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Gabriel Gomez, who will be transferring to a four-year university in the fall of 2007; Robert Inunza, who plans to transfer to Charles R. Drew University in the fall of 2007; Charlene Lobardio who will be transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Amalia Moreno, who plans to transfer to Charles R. Drew University in the fall of 2007; John Reinier Narvaez, who will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB); Mayanin Natividad, who plans to transfer to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH); Maria Ramirez, who will be transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Reyna Raya, who will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB); Rosario Rivas, who will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB); Rosalie Reynoso, who will be transferring to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC); Mariacelis Robles, who will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB); Viviana Ruiz, who will be transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Karina Vega, who was admitted into the Cerritos College Nursing Program in the spring of 2007 and plans to become a registered nurse; Melissa Vega, who will be transferring to California Sate University, Los Angeles (CSULA); and Brenda Velis, who will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

"We are tremendously proud of all our graduates," said Project HOPE Director Graciela Vasquez.

"They are all hard-working individuals whose commitment and perseverence have paid off, and they are to be celebrated. These students are the future of healthcare and the future of California."

Ignacio "Nacho" Rojas, Jr., chair for the Project HOPE advisory committee and program coordinator of the Los Angeles County Office of Education's Parent & Community Services, served as emcee for the evening. Mr. Peter Delgado, CEO of Los Angeles County + University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Healthcare Network, served as keynote speaker.

Event sponsors for the event included the Cerritos College Faculty Federation, Health Net, The California Endowment, WellPoint of California, Dr. Ismael and Judith Nuno, UCLA, Vida Financial, GBS Linens, the Office of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, City of Norwalk Councilman Jess Luera, National Mental Health Association of Greater LA County, Verizon, and the Office of Supervisor Don Knabe, Orange County's Credit Union, To Your Health/A Su Salud, and Primegen Biotech Corporation.

Cerritos College's awareness of its diverse student population and changing community needs contributed to the birth of Project HOPE five years ago through Title V federal funding. Project HOPE is designed to increase the number and success of Latinos and other underrepresented students entering the health professions. The program is committed to remedying the Latino health care professional shortage by encouraging Latino youth to pursue education opportunities that lead to professional health care careers and helping them overcome challenges facing Latino students, such as the need for financial assistance for education.

The project aims to create an academic pipeline facilitating the success of minority students in this competitive field. Program activities include student services geared toward health careers; teaching strategies and courses that increase retention and success of Latino students and other minorities; organized workshops, conferences and research opportunities; community service venues; and peer and professional mentoring. For more information about Project Hope, visit www.cerritos.edu/hope.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2007

Cerritos College Honors Project HOPE Class of 2007

22 Graduates of Project HOPE's Healthcare Career-Prep Program Mark Transition to Universities