Investing in Yourself, Believing in Yourself

Empower yourself with insights from our bestselling book.

Author Bertha Barraza, is a Professor/Counselor Emerita

Dr. Barraza immigrated to the US when she was 15 years of age, She had no idea what she will achieve in this country years later. Nevertheless, she made mistakes, endured challenges, and faced obstacles, but also accomplished much. She spent most of her life either studying or working in a community college.
Over the past 40 years the California Community College system changed in many ways. However, one thing that has remained the same is that nontraditional students continue to arrive underprepared for college. Therefore, this book is dedicated to them, because as a professor and counselor, this group of students taught the author many valuable lessons.
This book speaks not only about Dr, Barraza's life, but also about the experiences that many students continue to face today.

The Sense of Belonging was written specifically for non-traditional, first-generation college students. Therefore, the stories on this book include the following: 1. The author's experiences living in her native country and lessons learned that helped her succeed in the U. S . 2. Tips to succeed in college. 3. Valuable Resource with links. All chapters have a reflection section to help the reader process the information.
The second edition will include, three new chapters that include: 1. Mental Health, 2. Exercise and 3. Nutrition experiences as a student and what students should consider while attending college. The second edition will be available in summer 2026

This book familiarizes students with the complexities of navigating community colleges. The goal is to help more students access the information they need to meet the expectations of college life and succeed academically and personally.
Throughout the book, the author emphasizes the importance of being proactive, taking initiative, and actively engaging in the college experience.
the author's hope is that by reading this book and completing the exercises at the end of each chapter, readers will learn how to navigate college with confidence, overcome their fears, and find a safe space on campus—whether through programs, services, or a mentor—that can provide support as they work toward achieving their goals.