Glendale Community College

Connecting with...Thomas Dwyer Gutierrez

Thomas Dwyer Gutierrez joined the GCC family in August when he became a tenure-track counselor on the Garfield Campus. Although he’s relatively new to GCC, his community college experience is very personal. Raised by his single mom and two tias in the La Puente/West Covina area, Tom enrolled at Mt. SAC after high school and found himself in a seemingly endless cycle of classes until a counselor helped guide him toward a path of completion. Motivated to help others, Tom earned his A.S. in Behavioral and Social Science from Mt. SAC, B.A. in Philosophy from Cal Poly Pomona, and M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University and is focused on making a difference at GCC.

Why did you choose to work at GCC?
I committed to being a Continuing Education (CE) counselor about three years ago and have always looked at the websites of different colleges to learn about what different CE programs and services are being offered to students. The way I see it, how an institution treats CE students will tell you a lot about the institution as a whole. I recall looking at the GCC Garfield Campus website and really being impressed by the different services that are provided to students, such as mental health counseling and immigration support services. The inclusion of CE students as GCC students was evident to me and served as a great sign that GCC is an institution that I would like to contribute toward serving students. Plus, I've always seen myself as a bridge builder, be it with students, colleagues, or the community. Community colleges are a bridge for the residents they serve, and given that GCC has the most bridges that I have seen on any CC campus (there's even one on the GCC logo), it made sense to me to serve here.

What about your job makes you proud?
I have several family members, including my mom, who greatly benefited from taking CE programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Secondary Education courses. These programs helped my family gain more opportunities for a better life, which in turn benefited me. Helping students get closer to reaching their goals is something that hypes me up. 

Person who inspires you?
I would say my mom and my girlfriend most inspire me. Both are super hard-working and have a heart for helping others. These are qualities that I aim to embody.

Hobbies?
I enjoy hiking (especially in the PNW) but I'm most passionate about painting murals. So much so that it is more of a lifestyle than a hobby. I started my artistic journey at the age of 14 while engaged in various extracurricular and unsupervised street activities. My intention was not to do art or paint murals when I started. However, it so happens that 19 years later I am still painting, though with a bit more skill and hopefully a more developed purpose and motivation for what I do. What started as doing graffiti accidentally turned into painting public spaces, which allows me to engage with and even collaborate with different communities in different countries (list some countries). Painting for me has become much more than just creating a piece. It gives me opportunities to connect with so many different people, hear their stories, and even receive their feedback.

Click here to see some of Tom’s murals around the globe.
 
Favorite book?
The Brothers Karamazov, by Dostoevsky. I encourage you, the reader, to read it!
 
Favorite food?
Chicken tacos, Tijuana style, with a cup of frijoles charros and a grilled onion!
 
Describe your perfect day off?
Starting the day early to paint a fresh piece, and then after, going to a family or friend's b-day party where we compete playing Sequence all the while talking smack to each other! Good times right there!