"My motivation is when I see someone making the extra effort and being kind," Orange Coast College's Foundation Development Coordinator Rena Quiñonez says. "To see the underdog being supported, acknowledged, recognized… That was me - I was the quiet kid."
Rena's story is that of a first-generation college student whose path led her to attend community college before moving on and graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Her passion for working in education and helping people led Rena to OCC a little over 24 years ago.
At OCC, she has held positions in the Career Center, Internship Academy, Adult Education Outreach, part-time instructor, and OCC student volleyball club advisor. In these roles, she has been able to fulfill the goal of guiding students like herself—the first in their family to make this journey—and assisting those who do not know what to ask or do not have someone to ask those higher education questions to.
"I really enjoy learning new things," Rena says. "And now I have a bigger network and wider group of resources I can refer students to."
Rena's story with OCC predates her employment here. It runs deep with her two children attending the Children's Center and even going on to attend OCC as students and excelling in its sports program. Her husband of 27 years even attended OCC as a student himself and she also lived in the apartments behind what is now the Harbour.
Rena is excited about her second year in her new role with the Foundation and is proud of the work she has accomplished with the help of generous donors.
The Aviation Sciences Program area has been given a makeover—updated flooring, lighting, paint, AV systems, and wall graphics—"to bring the aesthetics up to the quality and professionalism of the program that was already in place."
Her newest project, updating the softball team room, expanded to include improving the facilities and grounds. Not only was it a growth opportunity to fundraise and work with athletic teams and coaches, but "supporting females was extra special. It was rewarding to see the softball players so grateful and excited and to see their confidence grow and feel that they are appreciated—OCC is there for them, believes in them."
Next up: celebrating and bringing the community together for her second year coordinating the Orange County Children's Book Festival in September.
"I love that I can still help students and can continue to make them feel welcome," Rena says of her new position with the foundation. "I'm learning a new part of the college and getting to help more students in a different way."