FAIRFIELD – Driven by a deep sense of community and a passion for teaching, Commodore St. Germain has made it his mission to ensure every student at Solano Community College has the support and tools needed to succeed. As one of the co-chairs of the Student Equity and Success Council (SESC), he works tirelessly to break down barriers and create opportunities for all, embodying a commitment to equity that extends far beyond the classroom.
“I never thought I’d be teaching,” he said.
St. Germain’s journey to teaching began unexpectedly. He first attended college at 19, but dropped out soon after. At 31, he returned to college life, enrolling at Solano Community College—the very institution where he would later become an instructor.
After earning his Bachelor’s degree at San Francisco State University, St. Germain then pursued a PhD at UC Davis, where he had his first taste of teaching as a teaching assistant.
“During our PhD, we were required to T.A. for one semester,” he reminisced.
Though his responsibilities were limited to office hours and minor tasks, he found himself drawn to the work. Eager to explore teaching further, he reached out to a former professor at Solano, John Hagashi.
His old professor informed him of a part-time teaching position, which St. Germain quickly accepted. From his very first semester, he was hooked.
“I just loved it,” he said.
For two years, St. Germain balanced his part-time teaching role with his PhD studies at UC Davis. After graduating, he committed to teaching full-time, inspired by the hands-on interaction with students.
“I’m teaching because I really like the students,” he explained.
His up-close view of student life, coupled with his awareness of the challenges many students face, led him to join the SESC.
“The motivation comes from the heart… It reminds you like, ‘Hey, students need help, and you’re in a position to help them,’” he stated.
St. Germain’s dedication to student support became even more pronounced when he stepped into the role of SESC co-chair. After a period of instability in the council’s leadership, he wanted to bring consistency to the group.
“I wanted some stability and some resources for the students,” he explained.
With St. Germain as co-chair, the SESC has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting equity and success. With stress high last semester because of the 2024 presidential election, the council introduced “election stress support” through TimelyCare, an app that connects students with mental health professionals 24/7.
Additionally, the SESC published a DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) statement last May, affirming their commitment to fostering a culture of belonging for everyone.
The newest project for the SESC has been providing financial compensation for students who are sitting on college committees.
“We’re getting students paid to be on these committees,” St. Germain noted.
Despite these efforts, St. Germain acknowledges that challenges remain. One of the biggest hurdles is ensuring students and faculty are aware of the support available.
“Sometimes students don’t ask; sometimes faculty doesn’t offer… students might not know they can ask,” he stated.
To address this, the SESC is working to improve communication and accessibility. Another key initiative is a planned survey to understand why students drop classes.
“The college really doesn’t know why students drop…students drop throughout the semester, we have no record of why,” he explained.
The survey’s findings could help the council and instructors better address student needs.
For St. Germain, student input is invaluable.
“We think we know what they need…we’re always trying to guess what students need,” he admitted. “When students come in and actually tell us what they need, that lights the fire.”
This student-centered approach is at the heart of his work with the SESC. He believes that empowering students to voice their needs and take action is crucial to creating meaningful change.
“You can make a change no matter what position you’re in. It’s very powerful that you guys know that,” St. Germain explained.
Commodore St. Germain’s legacy is rooted in student empowerment. He envisions a tradition where students feel capable of making a difference in their own lives and their community. From fostering inclusivity to providing tangible support like financial aid and mental health resources.
As St. Germain continues his work, he remains focused on ensuring that every student at Solano feels welcomed, supported, and empowered. If students continue to support and show up for the council, they’ll be able to reach more students, thus helping more people.
