High Standards Has Student Commuting Daily From Richmond

After enjoying a career as a dress designer, Denise Chandhoke made the decision to return to school. She spent approximately one year researching and visiting local colleges. Her research led her to make the daily one-hour commute to Cañada.
 
“There is a very high standard at Cañada,” said the Rhetoric Writing major. “I plan to transfer to UC Berkeley this fall and I wanted a school that would prepare me to succeed academically. I attended Berkeley for the 2007 summer session, where a faculty member validated my decision regarding Cañada College. He stated that he liked the quality of students that came from Canada College.”
 
After moving from Philadelphia, Denise visited a number of community colleges in the Bay Area but quickly realized that Cañada was different from the other community colleges.  “When I came to visit Cañada there was so much activity and the students seemed energized about being here. During my initial visit, I was impressed to learn that San Mateo County had voted in favor of an aggressive bond issue that soon became the new library and learning center. The college was also going to have enviable technology with all new computers and state of the art learning labs. Choosing Cañada was an easy choice.”
 
While the commute can be difficult, Denise said it’s worth every minute. “The classes at Cañada aren’t easy,” she said. “You have to work for your grades but the whole environment at the college is about empowering students to succeed. There’s help around every corner and I know that when I leave here I’m going to be successful at Berkeley.”