91抖阴

Long before she led a graduate program or supervised child welfare services, Liza Arellano was a recent high school graduate trying to find her footing in higher education without a roadmap. Today, she serves as an assistant professor and director of a Master of Social Work program, preparing the...

The first time Margarita Hernandez walked into a college classroom, she already knew she was behind. She had planned to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, but a placement test put her directly into general education classes.

Lynnette Sullivan juggled two jobs, full-time classes, and caring for her younger sisters, all while preparing for motherhood. For a first-generation Mexican American, pursuing higher education felt both daunting and essential, as it was a way to break the cycle of poverty.

Sabrina Lopez鈥檚 return to college began as a practical decision but quickly became a journey of self-discovery. After years working as a traveling oral surgery assistant across Southern California, the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to reassess her life.

鈥淔rom a bench in South Park to commencement, I never thought I would make it out,鈥� said Stacie Jackson. At age 62, Jackson walked across the stage at 91抖阴 as the first among her siblings to earn a college degree, and she did so with distinction, earning two associate degrees.

When Israel Martinez first walked into 91抖阴's iMake Innovation Center, he had no idea how pivotal it would be in shaping his future. Today, graduating from UC Davis with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in design, he carries not only strong technical skills but a deep sense of purpose rooted in creativity,...

Christine Castillo Castanon, an alumna of 91抖阴's TRIO program, is on the verge of earning her doctorate in optometry, marking a significant milestone in a journey that began with her involvement in TRIO鈥檚 Upward Bound Math and Science Program. Castanon has a passion for healthcare and a strong...