Thomas D. McCollum. Photo by BB Rivas / El Concilio Family Services
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services 2014 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here to register or to become a sponsor or call 805-486-9777 for more information.
Amigos805 staff reports
Thomas D. McCollum, originally from the East L.A. community of Montebello, came to Hueneme in 1996. Working his way through college, he attended Santa Ana College and CSU Fullerton, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education, with a minor in history and biological sciences. He served as assistant basketball coach at several schools, colleges and universities before becoming head coach at El Rancho Jr. High School, Carpinteria High School and Hueneme High School, where he has completed his 18th year with the Oxnard Union High School District.
In 2002, he was given the honor of becoming the coordinator of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, where seniors have attained more than 90 percent college admission and have earned more than $100,000 in scholarships and grant-in-aid.
McCollum said he is proud to have contributed to increasing the number of graduating students and the growth of the AVID program over the years. “ ‘If it is to be, it is up to me.’
“Tom McCollum has imbedded this inspirational quote in the minds of many generations of students, who have been fortunate enough to have him as their AVID … program teacher and coordinator,” according to one nomination letter. “Tom has used his own humble life experience growing up in a neighborhood similar to Oxnard’s community to inspire and teach students the realistic implementation of taking control of their actions to create a positive influence in order to succeed in life beyond high school graduation … Tom’s commitment to help students succeed is evident through the academic achievements that have given Hueneme High School a reputation of producing exemplary graduates.”
For more information on El Concilio’s programs and services or reservations for the awards gala, visit www.elconciliofs.org or call 805-486-9777.