WORKING

-- Story by Tariq Malik, photo by xxxx

HE IS

The student’s guide to higher education.

AN UNPLANNED PATH

A native of Southern California, Porter stumbled upon the path that

led him to his career as the vice-president of student services at Golden

West College almost by accident.

“Well I originally thought I was going to go to law school,” said

Porter, 49, adding that his studies at Cal State Fullerton were in

criminal justice. “It was a financial aid internship at Fullerton that

led me to work in student affairs and an eventual job in the field. I’ve

been with Golden West for the past 20 years.”

Porter started out serving as the college’s director of special

student affairs, responsible for the financial needs, activities and

extended operations of the school’s 13,000-student population.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In August of 1999, Porter rose to his current position at Golden West,

shedding his specific duties for the more general responsibility of

directing development, support and financial programs for students.

“This job is all about interaction with students,” he said. “They’re

what I’m here for.”

The biggest draw, Porter went on, is working with students and

watching the overwhelming numbers that succeed as they go through life.

“It’s important to me that students recognize the freedom of choice

they have in college, before they take on professional and family

commitments, to explore the limits of their interests,” he added.

PERSISTENCE IS KEY

“These students are going through a growing process here,” Porter

said, adding that he relishes the time he spent pursuing higher levels of

education. “I feel very fortunate to be part of that.”

On Saturdays, Porter teaches a how-to class on surviving and thriving

in college.

“The biggest lesson I can teach them is to be persistent,” he said.

“Once they stop doing something, it’s finished for certain.”

But persistence, he added, helps one realize the potential locked

inside, and with it the opportunities that come along during one’s life.