Arash

Arash is the first one in his working-class family who started his journey in education. As a first-generation student who never had a role model with an educational mindset, he faced many challenges/barriers. His mother always wanted him to become educated so that she could celebrate it. But putting food on the table and providing basic needs to survive had priority over education; that’s why she sacrificed her vision to provide the immediate needs for the family. She attended his graduation party when Arash got his Masters’ degree from California State University, Sacramento. But her teary eyes were blind by the time. 

Arash is not the only one facing challenges. While he was working and attending school, he met many individuals like himself from different cultures, backgrounds, languages, and religions. He has thousands of sad and funny stories from different cultures and languages that invisibly connected him to his diverse colleagues, classmates, friends, and bodies whom he has shared those unforgettable moments with. 

“Effective partners invest their time and energy in each other’s mutual success.” This is the quote Arash remembers from his VP, Dr. Mills when he was attending the school that has made him think the universe, and particularly the world of education, is a significant ‘Partnership.’ Arash immigrated to the United States in 2008, attended may schools such as San Juan Adult School, American River College, Sacramento City College, Folsom Lake College, and Sac State. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration, and a master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Sacramento. He has been working at Folsom Lake College, UC Davis, Sac State (CSUS), Institution for English Literacy, and Second Chance Education. Arash developed the TRiO programming at Sac State, created TRiO Calendar and TRiO Student Club at CSUS, participated in grant writing. He also has a history of being Disability and Assistive Technology Analyst and helped students with disabilities to have equal access to educational resources. Currently, Arash, besides his other duties, is interested in work and research in Cultural Awareness, Social Justice, Inclusion, Persistence, and Retention research. His best interest is investigating elements/factors contributing to designing an environment that increase the Sense of Belonging and, consequently, increases students’ persistence. His goal is to assist and invite people to start their education journey since the fruit of education is very sweet and benefit the society. He believes helping others should be a mission for everyone. Read here; WHY?