Share Your Story: We Want to Feature You in Our Video!
Inland Empire College Students,
We want you to be part of something special! We’re launching a project about sharing your story—because your experiences, challenges, and wins matter. We believe your voice is key to shaping the future of college life in the Inland Empire. Through your stories, we’re aiming to show the world what it’s really like to be a student here, highlighting the unique perspectives that make our community so special.
What’s the Campaign About?
We’re asking you to create three (3) short videos answering this simple question: “What is something you wish your campus leaders knew about your story?”
Everyone who submits a video will be automatically entered to win one of twenty (20) $50.00 Amazon gift cards just for participating. Plus, one (1) student whose submission stands out from all the rest will be invited to have their story featured as a highlight in our upcoming documentary and receive a $500 award.
Your Story Matters
We invite you to share your voice in your own tone and style. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to speak about the issues and experiences that matter most to you. Your story is powerful, and by sharing it, we can hear your stories and help shape the future of education in our region.
Video Ideas to Get You Started
We want to hear what really matters to you! Share as many clips as you want; feel free to speak from the heart.
Be authentic and talk about the issues that you experience.
We want to hear about both:
1. Challenges You Face: Things that make it challenging for you to attend and/or succeed in college in the Inland Empire.
2. How You Succeed: Things that help you meet those challenges, enroll, stay in college, and succeed in your goals.
If you’re looking for inspiration, think about how these topics below may have impacted your life and education experiences:
Start your clip by saying: “I wish my campus leaders knew…”
- Advisors Who Get It. I wish my campus leaders knew… how much it means to have an advisor who understands what it’s like to be the first in my family to go to college. My advisor has been there for me, helping me figure out everything from class schedules to dealing with stress.
- Digital Learning: A Lifesaver. I wish my campus leaders knew… how online resources have been a game-changer for me. With two jobs and a busy schedule, being able to access study materials online makes a huge difference in keeping up with my classes.
- Balancing Work and School. I wish my campus leaders knew… how hard it is to juggle school and work to pay for college. Financial aid has been the only way I can afford to be here, but it’s still tough balancing everything.
- When Our Voices Matter. I wish my campus leaders knew… that when students give feedback, it’s because we really want to see changes that help us succeed. It makes a big difference when our voices are heard, and things actually improve.
- Finding My People. I wish my campus leaders knew… how much student groups have helped me feel connected on campus. Being involved in a club where people understand what it’s like to work two jobs while going to school has been a lifesaver.
- Getting Help When You Need It. I wish my campus leaders knew… how hard it is to keep up with school when English isn’t my first language. Having more support for students like me would help a lot, especially when it comes to understanding assignments and getting extra help.
- Being Understood Matters. I wish my campus leaders knew… how important it is for students to feel understood. When someone on campus takes the time to listen and really gets what we’re going through, it makes a huge difference in how supported we feel.
- Pushing Through the Struggles. I wish my campus leaders knew… the struggles I’ve been through just to stay in school. From working long hours to dealing with family pressures, it’s been tough, but I’m determined to get my degree and make my family proud.
Feel free to share as many clips as you want—every story counts, and we want to hear yours!
Ready to Share Your Story?
Start recording and let your voice be heard. We can’t wait to see the incredible stories you’ll share!
Here is some guidance for recording the highest quality video possible: Recording Tips & Advice
How to Participate
Option 1 – Post to Social Media
- Platform: Post your video on your Instagram or TikTok.
- Hashtag: Use #IEStudentVoices in your post.
- Tag: Be sure to tag @giatogether in your video.
- Privacy settings: Please make sure your profile and posts are set to public (if not consider option 2).
Option 2 – Upload your Video
- Film Your Video: Use your phone to film a selfie-style social media clip or clips.
- Name Your Video: If possible, save your video file name as your First_Last name. If submitting multiple videos add an A,B,C at the end.
- Upload your Videos: Go to this link (https://mega.nz/filerequest/fYkI9RLIF_8) and upload your video.
- Let Us Know: Send an email to letting us know you uploaded your video.
Submission deadline: September 30, 2024
What Will Happen With The Videos?
We’ll use them in our upcoming video/documentary, which will feature the unique challenges and solutions for college and university students in the Inland Empire.
Why Participate?
We’re inviting you to be part of something special—a video project that’s all about sharing the real, diverse voices of students in the Inland Empire.
By participating, you’ll:
- Get Cast: We’re looking for videos to share in an upcoming documentary project and people to follow for our more in-depth documentary film.
- Be Heard: This is your chance to share your story and show what student life is really like in our region.
- Make a Difference: Your voice can help shine a light on the need for equity and accessibility in education, sparking real change.
- Connect: Your experiences will resonate with other students and could inspire education leaders to take action.
- Join the Movement: Engage with a community that’s all about pushing for positive changes in education.
Your story matters. By taking part, you’ll contribute to an important conversation and help make a difference for students like you!
Disclaimer:
By uploading your video or posting it on social media using our suggested hashtags, you agree to share your video with us and give us permission to use it in our upcoming documentary film project. This includes the right to edit, distribute, and publicly display your video as part of the film and in related promotional materials. By participating, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to these terms.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us before submitting your video.
About Growing Inland Achievement
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) serves the Inland Empire region of Southern California—the 12th largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S., including over 4.7 million residents and over one million students. GIA supports a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners, collectively working to achieve a shared vision of educational and economic success. GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.