The Mesa College Chicana/o Studies Department and the Mesa College Foundation will host a tribute to renowned educator, activist, philanthropist and feminist, Gracia Molina de Pick, on Thursday, August 8, at 5:30 p.m. This special evening will be filled with friendship, the sounds of mariachi, Mexican antojitos, a silent auction, and brief comments from individuals whose lives have been touched by the passion, teachings, philanthropy and activism of Gracia Molina de Pick, who is expected to attend. Proceeds from the event will support the design, fabrication and installation of gallery signage, a plaque, and a biographic narrative for the Gracia Molina de Pick Glass Gallery at Mesa College. The six-panel glass gallery, located in the rotunda of the Humanities, Languages and Multicultural Studies Building, will feature a series of displays. The first exhibit, dedicated to Gracia, will debut in Spring 2014. Click here ticket information. Tickets may also be ordered through Eventbrite (processing fees apply) . A portion of ticket fees and donations are tax deductible. Those interested in top tier donation levels of $500 or more are asked to call 619-388-2759. We encourage everyone whose lives have been touched by Gracia to join us for this event, and to give generously to support the naming of the Gracia Molina de Pick Glass Gallery at Mesa College. Chicano Studies Image: Chicano Studies The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies offers a dynamic, innovative program that emphasizes an interdisciplinary and comparative approach to understanding the historical experiences and contemporary social realities of the Chicana/os as the largest segment of the Latino population in the United States. Critical thinking and effective oral and written communication skills are integrated across the curriculum which incorporates the arts and literature, gender studies, border studies, cultural studies, history, the social sciences, and policy studies. The curriculum prepares students at the undergraduate level for a multitude of careers options. Students earning a degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies may pursue careers in education, humanities, law, social work, business, the arts, public administration and more.

Students who complete the Chicano Studies Program will be able to: Critical Thinking: Think critically in reading, writing, and/or speaking about topics in Chicano/a Studies, with a focus on the multiple historical factors that have contributed to the origins of the Chicano/a community in the United States, thereby identifying problems, theses, arguments, evidence and conclusions. Communication: Write or speak about topics in Chicano/a Studies, with a focus on understanding and communicating the Chicano/a alternative world view as expressed in history, literature and art, thereby addressing problems, formulating theses, making arguments, analyzing and weighing evidence, and deriving conclusions. Personal Actions and Civic Responsibilities: Demonstrate an ability to understand one’s role in society, take responsibility for one’s own actions, and make ethical decisions in complex situations Self-awareness and Interpersonal Skills: Analyze one’s own actions, see others’ perspectives, and work effectively with others in groups. Global Awareness: Analyze the development of the contemporary Chicano/a community in the United States by articulating similarities and contrasts among cultures, times, and environments, and demonstrate an understanding of cultural pluralism. Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.