University Ethnic Studies students are helping in the development of the Hiram Johnson Program-to teach high school students about their major, while serving as mentors. Gregory Yee Mark, the department chairman called the students? participation a good use of the “university?s wonderful resources-the great and diverse minds of its students.”

This new program exemplifies the department?s aim of reaching out to the community youth, through mentoring, he said.

Starting in the fall of 2002, sophomore, junior and senior Ethnic Studies majors will be teaching high school freshmen subjects in their expertise, on the main campus of Hiram Johnson high, while some high school seniors serve as teaching assistants. All the students involved will receive college and high school credits.

Kao Saephanh, a 2000 Hiram Johnson high school graduate, and one of the student teachers, said he is very excited about participating in the program.

“It is going to be a great program, I am very glad that I am able to give back to my community,” he said.

Mark, who has been chairman of the department since August 2001, said he believed in community building, through creating and implementing programs that will benefit the youth of the community.

“I believe it is the responsibility of the university to be an active participant in enhancing the community it resides on,” he said.

He hopes to aid other programs, in order “to make a difference in the lives of the youth in the community, while they are still impressionable,” he said.

The first main meeting is scheduled for today on the Hiram Johnson main campus. Mark urged everyone in the CSUS community to come to the meeting and show support.

“This program provides the opportunity for the university to be involved in the community-you see it small at the beginning and hope it does well,” he said.