CCCEOPSA adds longtime Crafton Counselor and Administrator to its Hall of Fame

Publish Date: Jan. 8, 2024

The California Community College Extended Opportunity Program & Service Association (CCCEOPSA) has named a Roadrunner to its Hall of Fame.

Rejoice Chavira, a longtime mainstay at Crafton Hills College, was surprised by the recognition during the Association’s fall conference held Oct. 16 in San Jose.

Each year, the CCCEOPSA opens nominations for three conference award categories: Leadership, Outstanding Service, and Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is the organization’s highest award and is annually given to the person who has “made a significant contribution and actively promoted the advancement and mission” of the association, according to the group’s website.

Chavira said she was completely caught off guard when conference organizers called her up to the stage to receive the award.

“When they started saying why I got it, the tears just started flowing because you’re not expecting this,” she explained. “I think it added more to the moment because it was a surprise.

“When they were talking about [the award], they wanted me to say something, but I was so in shock because this was such a surprise,” she continued. “But when I finally could, all I could say was, ‘I don’t deserve this.’ To me, it was just all so surreal.”

Since starting her career in education, Chavira has made it her mission to be the voice of those in need of a hand up. She does this by asking each of her students one impactful question at the start of each session: “Tell me about yourself.”

In the early 2000s, Chavira joined the Crafton team, first as a counselor for the College’s EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs department and then moving up the managerial ladder. She left her post as the department’s director to transition back into counseling, which she describes as her “why”.

She tells each of the students she counsels, “No matter your circumstance, we see you and we want to help you, I’m going to do all that I can to support you while you’re here,” she continued. “And I’m confident you’re going to graduate.”

Chavira said. “The staff at Crafton really cares about the students and truly believes in them. That’s very important – anyone can come to Crafton, but you have to treat them right and take the time to know each student. Everyone’s story is different.”