Presenter

Julius Sokenu, Valerie Mitchell

Background

Pursuant to Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 4300 (Field Trips and Excursions), the District may conduct field trips and excursions that are officially recognized and approved by the District, in connection with courses of instruction or college-related social, educational, cultural, athletic or musical activities to and from places in California, or any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country to students.

Students enrolled in the Moorpark Colleges ETHS M40 Summer 2026 Study Abroad program will participate in a ten -day experience traveling to Mexico City, Mexico. Dates of travel are June 1 to June 10, 2026.

Analysis

Mexico boasts a rich cultural history where three out of four marginalized ethnic groups we cover in the Ethnic Studies discipline Black, Indigenous, and Chicanoconverge to create a vibrant cultural landscape. In addition to the lasting impact of Spain had through colonialization. This fusion allows students to witness the tangible results and cultural manifestations of these diverse traditions. Throughout its history, Mexico has demonstrated how the concept of race was constructed and redefined to adapt to different time periods. The country is home to remarkably preserved architecture from Indigenous cultures, providing insight into how Indigenous people lived before colonization sought to erase their history. Colonial architecture further illustrates the profound impact of colonization on contemporary society.

Additionally, examining the history of the Americas through the lens of the Black experience reveals the consequences of forced transportation during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, particularly within the Mexican context. This exploration helps illuminate the Afro-Mexican community and underscores the trade's influence not only in the United States but across the entire New World, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.
Mexico serves as a nexus where these cultures intersect, giving rise to a new cultural identity. Students who choose to participate in this Study Abroad trip will engage with the concepts of decolonization, racialization, and intersectionality in a meaningful way. They will partake in vibrant discussions and gain a practical understanding of these frameworks, moving beyond abstract notions to tangible realities.

Through this trip, students will develop an open worldview and a broader perspective on diverse cultures. They will cultivate a cultural understanding that may differ from their own, recognizing that despite varying cultures, languages, and histories, at the core of human existence, people share fundamental similarities and that all cultures deserve respect. The trip also promotes personal growth, encouraging students to engage in reflections about their own lives.

Ethnic Studies has a profound impact on students, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing self- awareness regarding their place in the world as they explore cultures that may be similar to or entirely different from their own. This experience aims to help them critically evaluate their own assumptions, beliefs, and values, leading to a more nuanced self-perception.

Moreover, as Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary field, students will explore a variety of knowledge areas, allowing them to discover interests they may not have previously recognized. While the historical component serves as a foundation, examining the multifaceted nature of Mexican culture will include archaeology, literature, art, and much more, enriching their understanding.

This study abroad trip will serve as a capstone experience for the Ethnic Studies M40 Introduction to Ethnic Studies course in the Summer of 2026. After studying the various racialized groups within Ethnic Studies, students and faculty will travel to Mexico, where they can immerse themselves in the culture, witness different communities, and learn some of their customs. This real-world experience will allow them to apply the historical knowledge gained in class.

In terms of marketing strategies, there are plans to promote the trip during the first and second months of the Fall 2025 semester. Faculty participants and organizers will leverage the joint Día De Los Muertos event organized by the Latinx Club and the Ethnic Studies Discipline as a platform for outreach. Additionally, faculty participants intend to host an informational session during Native American Month, where they will provide essential details about the cities planned to visit, the tentative itinerary for the trip, and the associated costs. The goal is to engage anyone with an interest in Ethnic Studies so they can fully experience what the discipline has to offer.

Through this Study Abroad trip with Ethnic Studies, facilitators strive to adopt a student-first approach. They aim to foster an environment where students feel supported in their pursuit of higher education. Study abroad experiences often lead to profound self-discovery; by traveling independently to another country, students step outside their comfort zones, empowering them to realize that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. These experiences also present invaluable opportunities for them to clarify their career aspirations. Engaging with diverse perspectives helps uncover potential they may not have known existed, guiding them toward their full potential. Above all, on this trip and beyond, faculty members will employ an anti-racist and intersectional approach as they travel to Mexico and explore its rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds. By learning about various ethnic heritages, we can become better allies to those who may differ from us, fostering the empathy necessary to understand and support everyone.

On behalf of Moorpark College, the District will contract with an external agency to arrange travel accommodations for students and the faculty chaperones. The faculty chaperones attending the study abroad program are Shamora Drummond, Jorge Cruz, and Arturo Zepeda, professors of Ethnic Studies at Moorpark College. The estimated cost for this travel ranges from $2,435 to $3,120 per student, depending on the number of participants, and includes double-occupancy accommodations, meals, ground transportation, guides, gratuities, cultural immersions, and academic engagements. Student travel expenses may be offset through scholarships, grants, and fundraising; faculty chaperones will be responsible for their own travel expenses.

Impact of Approval

Participating students will be provided an opportunity for enhanced learning and diversity awareness through an international travel program that includes cultural, artistic, and architectural experiences that are coordinated with curricular topics.

Impact of Non-Approval

Students will not benefit from the international perspective that will be experienced during the course, ETHS M40.
Fiscal

All participants will pay for their own travel expenses and will be responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the airport (LAX).

Further Information

Julius Sokenu, Valerie Mitchell

Administrative Services Committee Meeting

Meeting Information

Supporting Documents