Alumni Spotlight: Scott McNaul Hernandez

2015 Outstanding Alumnus

Scott McNaul Hernandez

Scott McNaul Hernandez was a first generation college student from a small chicken ranch in Yucaipa, CA when he entered Crafton Hills College. He had never known anyone who had attended college or had any form of higher education. He quickly found a home in the EOPS Program where he became a peer mentor to other low-income, first generation college students. Scott graduated in 2001 with an A.A. in Sociology. He then transferred to UC Riverside where he earned a B.A. in Creative Writing and Chicano studies and went on to complete his M.A. at CSU Northridge and M.F.A. at the UC Riverside Writing for the Performing Arts Program.

Scott feels that his experience at Crafton Hills College gave him the foundation he needed to have a successful academic career. Scott wanted to become a professor in the community college system to show other community college students that no matter where you start from, you can achieve your academic dreams through hard work and a "never give up" attitude.

Scott is currently an Assistant Professor at Riverside City College. Scott works to help high school students create films in the Off The Block summer film program at the UCR ARTSblock where he has taught for the past 5 years. he is also the club advisor for the Film and Video and the Catholic Student Fellowship clubs at RCC. Scott sits on and volunteers for the Film Advisory Board for Riverside Poly High School Film and TV Program and the California School of the Deaf Film Program.