Perez serves as the Jamestown High School career and development liaison in partnership with Jamestown Community College.

She said her primary role is that of support for the students she meets. The liaison, while made available to all students, has an additional focus on reaching the local Hispanic population.

“I want them to know that college is an option,” Perez said. “It doesn’t matter the financial situation with scholarships and financial aid — I let them know about that.”

Many of the students who Perez said she visits with inside the JCC hub within the library are not aware of the many options available to help pay for college tuition. Additionally, she reminds students of PSAT and SAT scheduling, College Connections courses, college tour dates and other collegiate opportunities.

“I make sure to restate everything,” Perez said of information the students may have missed throughout a typical school day.

Many of the students get approval from teachers during study hall periods to visit the JCC hub.

Her office is filled with college-related information such as schedules for JCC courses and informational packets on financial aid.

Ashley Noon, JHS guidance counselor, said the liaison position works in a complementary fashion to the guidance office. Noon said the role offers more reach to students and informing them about pathways after graduation.

“(Perez) would be one more piece to add that can ensure every student here knows of the opportunities out there and has the support and the information available to make the right choice for themselves,” Noon said.

Perez agreed, adding that her support role will benefit the students who sometimes “fall through the cracks.”

JCC and JPS have other ongoing collaborations in the form of instant admission days and financial aid nights where more students are targeted.

“So this is the first of what’s sure to be many more of these agreements with JCC,” said Dr. Bret Apthorpe, JPS superintendent, at an October board of education meeting that saw the approval of the position.

At the time, Apthorpe said that several years ago at a JCC outreach event he found that many of the Hispanic students were not aware of JCC, or at least that they had a chance to attend the institution. The new initiative is an effort to address that revelation among the JPS community that is comprised of 30% Hispanic students.

While it is true Perez, who is bilingual, has an added mission of connecting with minority students, her office is open to everyone.

The agreement between the community college and the school district created the full-time position of a Spanish-speaking career development liaison with a three-year contract. Corresponding office space is available at both JCC and JHS. Perez assists with recruiting and retaining students in College Connections courses, JCC’s Manufacturing Technology Institute programs and providing guidance for students interested in college. The liaison collaborates with the JCC Liberty Partnership navigator, who is already employed.

Perez works one day of the week out of the JCC space where she learns about more programs and services offered by the college.

JCC agreed to provide 20% of funding for the position with 5% increases each year the liaison is employed.

Prior to JPS’ approval, Dr. Daniel DeMarte, JCC president, described the collaboration as a way to “building a better connection with the Latino students in the high school and their families.”

Now, with Perez operating in the role for several months, she hopes she’s made an impact. Generally, students visiting Perez talk about college, but she also gets to know the students individually.

Many students who have participated in the program have been treated to college campus field trips. Perez, school officials and a group of students recently visited Alfred State College. Perez said she hopes more trips can be scheduled to other campuses.

“They loved it,” Perez said. “A lot of students live here their whole lives and have never been to JCC or a college campus in general. I just want them to get the feel of that and just be excited.”