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18 MountainHouseMatters.com<br />
Issue #115 • October 2023<br />
Delta College Peer Advisor Excelling Beyond Adversity<br />
By Sadia Khan, Community Contributor<br />
Let's meet Nat Austin. Nat is a Peer advisor at Delta College South Campus, College Park MH.<br />
Nat Austin is a nineteen-year-old second-year student at San Joaquin Delta College double majoring<br />
in Psychology and Art, Humanities & Social Studies. Nat has been a resident of Bethany<br />
Village in Mountain House for the past 6 years.<br />
What is Your education, your experience, and your goal?<br />
I am double major, in Psychology and Art, Humanities & Social Studies.<br />
I aspire to go to Sacramento State College to pursue my Bachelor's and<br />
Master's degrees in social work. I initially attended Delta with the intent<br />
of receiving a Mathematics and Science degree and an Art, Humanities,<br />
and Social Studies degree because I wanted to become a park ranger<br />
for the United States National Parks. But after becoming homeless<br />
for a short while in the middle of my first year of college, I had new<br />
aspirations and dreams.<br />
I now want to start a foundation that focuses on providing resources<br />
and support services for underprivileged minority youths. I had a rough<br />
childhood and I know that there are too many other youths that have<br />
gone through hard times as well. I hope that by providing a strong support system and beneficial resources,<br />
minority youths will aspire to do what they're passionate about.<br />
What is your role at Delta College?<br />
I am a Peer Advisor at Delta College South Campus at Mountain House. I do clerical work and assist<br />
students with a multitude of things including, but not limited to making counseling appointments and<br />
navigating student websites such as Canvas, their student email, and their MyDelta Dashboard.<br />
What factors help you succeed in your role at Delta College?<br />
Something that helps me succeed the most in my role at Delta College is the very strong support system.<br />
From my coworkers, supervisor, and employers to the janitor and counselors, we all help one another when<br />
we can and it is refreshing, to say the least. When I became homeless, no one hesitated to lend a helping<br />
hand and that is something that will never be forgotten. Without their constant kindness and support, I'm<br />
not sure I would've been where I am today.<br />
How long have you been in this position?<br />
I have been a Peer Advisor for about a year now and I am always learning something new every day.<br />
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?<br />
In the next five years, I see myself graduating from Sacramento State University with my master's in<br />
social work. I see myself ready and eager to dedicate my life to supporting and helping underprivileged<br />
minorities prosper into the people that they want to be.<br />
Your message to the youth of MH?<br />
To the youth of Mountain House, I say, " You get to decide what you want your life to look like. I encourage<br />
you to be yourself and to speak up, especially if it makes you stand out. And last but not least, you are<br />
worth more than you know. Don't make yourself small so others can feel comfortable"<br />
Your message to the parents of the students seeking college education?<br />
"College can be extremely stressful and taxing. As students, it is our responsibility to seek the degree or<br />
degrees that we feel we will thrive and be passionate about. I ask that you have an open mind and support<br />
your student in the ways that you can".<br />
Fun facts about Delta College MH location?<br />
- Bunnies are rampant around campus but mainly in the parking lot. They are cute little cotton tails and<br />
are super fast.<br />
- Delta College South Campus at Mountain House has been around since 2009<br />
Some quotes you live by?<br />
"Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated." —Coretta Scott King<br />
"Dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard<br />
work that creates change." —Shonda Rhimes<br />
"I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort" —Tracee Ellis Ross<br />
We are grateful to Nat for letting us get to know him. Thank you, Nat, Mountain House Matters wishes<br />
you success in all your endeavors.
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