Award-winning author and education advocate, Gary Soto will be speaking at Moorpark College on April 19.

A California-born author, poet and scholar, Soto is a graduate of Fresno City College, which currently hosts many of his books in the campus ‘Gary Soto Literary Museum’. Soto has a passion for education and particularly supports community colleges.

“Soto contacted us about speaking here,” said Brian Burns, Moorpark College’s Professional Development Coordinator. “He gives talks at various community colleges, especially in California. His vision lines up with our values, which is very fortuitous.”

Moorpark College recently became an HSI- a Hispanic-Serving Institution, meaning that the college is now part of a federal program that helps colleges aim to assist Hispanic students.

“We were the last Ventura County higher-education institution who was not an HSI,” said Burns. “Now we are too. Soto identifies as a Chicano writer, so lots of his work speaks to our desire to advance our HSI status.”

One of Soto’s first books of poetry, ‘The Elements of San Joaquin’, speaks to the author’s experiences growing up in Fresno. The collection won the United States award in the International Poetry Forum in 1976, and gives a realistic portrait of a farmworker’s rural life.

“Soto’s descriptive powers, so evident in these poems, are lived and real,” according to Soto’s website. “As a young man, he worked those fields and lived in parts of Fresno that were more vacant lots, than neighborhoods. He observes, takes note, remembers—essential qualities for authentic poetry.”

Soto has also written novels and children’s books in multiple genres and has created film adaptations for two of his pieces. He has received multiple awards and fellowships for his work.

Yet, Soto can call himself more than a writer- he is also a staunch supporter of education. He offers regular guided tours at his alma mater, Fresno City College, is the Young People Ambassador for the United Farm Workers of America, as well as teaching at University of California, Berkeley and Riverside. According to the Fresno City College website, Soto was also honored as one of the college’s first Centennial Stars during the college’s Centennial celebration in 2010.

“He is a poet and a writer, but also an advocate for students,” said Burns. “He’ll be very mindful of the students during his talk, they’re his primary audience.”

While Soto is on campus, he will be reading aloud selections of his poetry, but also discussing his own experiences as a student when he attended Fresno City College and California State University. A question and answer period will be interspersed with the talk as a whole.

Soto’s various successful ventures ensures that the talk will be beneficial on multiple levels.

“I’m an English instructor,” said Burns. “So there’s the literary side of this, and the value of literature as a form of expression. He’s a skillful poet. I would hope that students will find something inspirational here. Soto came from a low-income area but now is so successful. Will students who come go into poetry? Maybe. But there are all these different ways to make a positive impact.”

All students and faculty are encouraged to attend the talk on April 19 in EATM 208 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. The classroom seats 150 people, so be sure to RSVP to Brian Burns at [email protected].