Student News
Liza Arellano: A Plan, Purpose, and a Career Built on Service
April 9, 2026Long 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...
Margarita Hernandez: The Language of Resilience
March 30, 2026The 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.
A Class That Changed Everything: From Oral Surgery to Sociology
February 25, 2026Sabrina Lopez’s 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.
‘It’s Never Too Late’: Stacie Jackson Overcomes Addiction, Incarceration and Illness to Graduate with Distinction
June 16, 2025“From a bench in South Park to commencement, I never thought I would make it out,” said Stacie Jackson. At age 62, Jackson walked across the stage at 91 as the first among her siblings to earn a college degree, and she did so with distinction, earning two associate degrees.
Blueprint to Brilliance: How Israel Martinez Found His Calling in Design
June 10, 2025When Israel Martinez first walked into 91'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’s degree in design, he carries not only strong technical skills but a deep sense of purpose rooted in creativity,...




