The "First Class" True Colors Experience - Extended Opportunity Programs and Services

First Class True Colors Workshop
CARE Students Only
August 21, 2008
10:00am - 12:30pm
Video Conference Room  (Room 1307 in the Library)

Introducing a Holistic Approach To Student Success (HATSS)

Matriculating from high school to college, re-entering the educational system, or being a first time college student are not taken lightly or assumed to be easy tasks. For some, this process can be quite challenging. The Extended Opportunity Programs & Services Program (EOPS) at Ohlone College is launching a new program called, The First Class True Colors Experience (FCTCE). The goal is to help reduce the fear and frustration that many students experience when entering college.

The “First Class” True Colors Experience is a one day workshop designed to provide new EOPS students with a basic awareness of how their personality can influence their learning experience. Unlocking the mystery of human behavior is one of the most puzzling topics of our time. Philosophers and researchers have been searching for decades for answers and still it is a perplexing subject. In 1978, Don Lowry created “True Colors, Inc.” as an easy and entertaining concept to help individuals self identify their innate and unique character to better understand themselves and others.

Have you ever noticed that many metaphoric comparisons are conveyed about life, attitude, and behavior that relate to colors, i.e., “behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining,” “you’re as good as gold,” or “you are true blue.” True Colors is a concept that uses four colors to identify four distinct perspectives and personality traits that help unveil the phenomena of human behavior. In a nutshell, the concept sheds some light on why people do, act, and respond the way they do in various situations.

The purpose of FCTCE is to help students realize that understanding how they naturally function can make a difference in their decision making and learning process. Discovering natural gifts, talents, strengths, weaknesses, needs, stressors, and frustrations as it relates to coursework, study habits, study skills, and peer interaction, can increase self esteem and confidence.

The mission of FCTCE is to convey a positive and impactful message that learning about personality diversity can be the genesis in providing clarity and freedom to learn. This message also helps students to embrace their uniqueness and appreciate global diversity.

This program is essential in developing team oriented cultures, professional integrity, and social relationships that embody synergy and collaboration between administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

The FCTCE program will equip students with the knowledge of how they function and respond to their learning environment, instructors, coursework, and peers. The program provides a platform to help students learn about their predictable and unpredictable behavior patterns. It will also raise the level of consciousness about their learning process, convey practical educational tips, and study skills techniques to increase retention and the success rate within the institution and EOPS program.

The vision is that every student who journeys through this program will realize that he or she is unique, fundamentally different, and have various ways of processing information and learning. Through role play, books, lectures, and group work, the EOPS staff will encourage students to develop an “I can do” attitude and will ultimately prepare, shape, and guide them to a higher level of academic, personal, and professional success.