Nohel Corral has been given the position as full-time counselor for Skyline’s TRIO program.

The program has never before had a full-time counselor, according to Victoria Morrow, President of Skyline College.

Morrow was pleased that the program was able to grow into having a full-time counselor.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Morrow said. “We’re lucky to have it.”

When the position was created, the school followed their normal hiring process. They received a number of applicants for the position, including Daryan Chan, a counselor popular with many students at Skyline.

“I’m disappointed that I was not chosen for the full-time TRIO Counselor position, especially because I have gotten to know the TRIO students over the two years I’ve been at Skyline as the part-tine TRIO Counselor,” Chan said.

However, those involved in the hiring process made the decision that Corral was the best choice for the position.

“We were blessed with a multitude of great candidates,” Morrow said. “We chose the strongest, and that was Noel.”

Nohel is grateful for the position, and plans to do his best to reach out to the students.

“This TRIO Counselor position is an amazing opportunity to serve a population that I hold near and dear,” Corral said. “Most of my professional career has been serving students that were at-risk, first generation, low-income overcoming a variety of challenges and obstacles.”

Corral feels a strong need to help students in these positions due to the fact that he himself came from a somewhat repressed background.

He grew up around people telling him he would never succeed, but he was determined, and he managed to secure a scholarship and get himself educated. Now he’s looking to help out people that might be in the same position he was.

Though there is a group of students upset that Chan is gone, and even petitioning the administration to bring him back, Morrow remains stalwart about the school’s choice to hire Chan.

“The decision is made,” Morrow said. “Daryan was an excellent counselor, and he may be back in some capacity, but right now Nohel is the best choice.”

Chan disagrees, saying that the students should have a voice on campus, especially in matters that affect their educational paths.

“The students should definitely have a right to speak about their needs in a forum that promotes student leadership and involvement on the campus,” Chan said. “It’s a part of what Skyline stands for and even on the side of Building 6, there is a quote stating, ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world,’ and the students voicing their opinions is a part of making change and being an active part of the community.”

Chan is currently searching for a new position, which he hopes will be related to student affairs and counseling. If he does get a position at Skyline again, however, it will likely not be until the fall semester.

Despite the less-than-enthusiastic greeting from many students, Corral is still committed to the program, and to making sure he’s helping the students as much as he can.

“I have been truly honored by this opportunity and will work hard to help students meet their goals both personally and academically,” Corral said