As a product of the community college system, Michael Roberts relates to his students. Growing up in Stockton, Calif, Roberts turned to San Joaquin Delta Community College to open doors for himself. Roberts would take four years to graduate from San Joaquin while going to school and working at the same time. Upon receiving his A.A. degree, Roberts landed at U.C. Davis.
At Davis, Roberts would start as a science major before changing to English. After three years at U.C. Davis, Roberts received his bachelor degree and teaching credentials at the same time. Roberts would teach briefly at a high school in Sacramento before returning to school to pursue his master’s degree.
“My college years shaped my character,” says Roberts. “I’m a product of the community college system. I understand where students come from.”
Before being appointed Honors Program Coordinator this semester, Roberts had already worked at Fresno City College for 20 years. Seven of those years were spent as Dean of Instruction for Humanities. Roberts had also served as Academic Senate president of FCC.
He has received several prestigious honors including being named the Phillip Levine Scholar and being nominated for the Hayward Award. Roberts has also been published in journals across the nation and has published a book titled, “The Particulars of Being.” To top it all off, Roberts has a Master’s degree in English, Composition and bilingualism.
Outside of academics, Roberts is a fierce runner. In the last 20 years, he has run close to 45 marathons including four in the last year.
For Roberts, it’s the students that keep him motivated. “The characteristics of our students at Fresno City College are quite unique in many ways. We have a diverse student background and I’m seeing that diversity coming to the honor program. It’s one of the most positive things about being here,” said Roberts.
The challenge for Roberts is trying to meet the educational needs of all students. “We have students at different levels. I’m trying to fill all their expectations,” he says.
With over 180 students in the honor program who are at different stages of their
education, Roberts tries to assist all of them as best as he can. Part of his goal as Honors Program Coordinator is also to make the Honors Program more known across campus.
“To be part of the Honors Program should be an honor. I try to make sure the program has an outstanding name,” said Roberts. “The program is vaguely known. It needs more publicity about the opportunities it provides, about how it assists students, and about how it helps them meet the challenges of completing their educating here before transferring.”
Roberts’ advice to students is to establish good communication with instructors. “Don’t be afraid to speak with instructors. Meet with them. Go to their office hours,” he says. “Develop a professional relationship with instructors. They can provide valuable advice. Use faculty as a resource.”
