Glendale Community College

Zuleika Jaramillo 

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
Social Science AA & Sociology AA-T

Transfer College & Major:
UC Berkeley, Ethnic studies.

What is your GCC transfer success story?
I started GCC Winter 2020 after taking a long break after graduating high school in 2009. I took a long break to raise my family and left little time for myself. Once my child was able to start kindergarten, I signed myself up for school and I never looked back. When I first started I took it easy and was PT, but after a couple semesters I was able to move up into FT status. It has not been an easy journey but it definitely has been fun! I was able to pass all my classes and finish my AA in Social Science and my AA-T in Sociology 3 years later. I applied to 9 schools and got into 8, 5 of those schools being UCs. I'm choosing Berkeley, this LA girl is going to the Bay! My family and I are super excited for the change.

How did GCC help you get where you want to be?
GCC has made it so easy to succeed, I never had an issue getting the class I needed. All the professors have been very helpful and supportive, especially during the peak of the pandemic. Lastly the learning communities and clubs really were an icing on the cake, especially during finals thank you for the snacks ! :)

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
I would like to thank La Comunidad and all the counselors for always believing in me and providing us with the best resources to succeed at GCC. Being a first generation student can be so difficult, this community really made me feel like I belonged. EOP, is another great resource that I believe students should really take advantage on, they are so helpful! Lastly look into outside programs that help transfer students like CCCP, they offer many webinars that provide students with the resources to have a strong UC application.

Lautaro Ibarra Rocco

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
Social Science AA

Transfer College & Major:
UCLA, Geography

What is your GCC transfer success story?
I came into GCC because I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my future. After high school I thought it was pointless to apply to a four-year school because I didn’t want to pay a lot of money without having a set goal and being 100% sure of what I was doing. After two full years at GCC I was able to figure it out and was blessed with the opportunity to attend my dream school, UCLA.

How did GCC help you get where you want to be?
I was able to keep working in my classes even though I was not very sure of what outcome I wanted. So I didn’t waste time while I was “finding my path”. As I was figuring it out I was able to get all my GE’s out off the way and even earn an Associates degree.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
I want to thank coach Farwell and the whole coaching staff in general. They have supported and helped me through my recovery and have encouraged me to follow my dreams and goals. Same thing to the athletic training body, all three of the athletic trainers have always treated me with respect and always helped me to get better. And lastly the head of CASA, Claudia Juan, without her help, these past few years would have been tougher. And that whole center was always welcoming and helped me build lots of friendships.

Taylor Jazan

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
AS Mathematics, AA Physical Science, AS-T Mathematics, AS-T Physics

Transfer College & Major:
UC Berkeley, Mechanical Engineering

What is your GCC transfer success story?
GCC helped me transfer to UC Berkeley where I will study Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace.

How did GCC help you get to where you want to be?
GCC provided many academic and professional opportunities such as the STEM TEAM Internship program.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
Thank you awesome Kevin Meza! Shout-out to profs. Ridgway, Davis, Labadzhyan, Sierra, and Neufeld!

Christian Howard

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
Associate in Science for Transfer in Film, Television and Electronic Media

Transfer College & Major:
California State University, Northridge with a major in Film, Television and Electronic Media

What is your GCC transfer success story?
GCC enabled me to get an Associates debt-free, kick-starting my financial future.

How did GCC help you get to where you want to be?
GCC connected me with great staff and wonderful peers, encouraging me to pursue my passion as my major.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
Moises Perez provided active, hands-on experience and training, that instilled the skills I needed.

James Sandoval

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
AA-T Business Administration

Transfer College & Major:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Healthcare Administration and Public Health

What is your GCC transfer success story?
During my high school years, I lacked motivation and prioritized short-term enjoyment over my academic studies, ultimately leading to struggles in my education and a failure to appreciate the value of a solid educational foundation. However, now at 30, as I near completion of my community college degree, I have come to understand the opportunities I missed in my 20s and the vital importance of having a degree to advance my career. Through the difficulties I've faced and the lessons I've learned, I have developed a strong drive to pursue higher education with the help of GCC.

How did GCC help you get to where you want to be?
GCC not only gave me the education and resources I needed but also the courage and motivation I needed to reach my full potential.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
Thank you, God, for grace, mercy, wisdom, and humility. My wife, daughter, parents, Dr. Kevin Meza, Professor's Jason Bender, Brett Miketta, Dr. Mara Beckett, Mr. Abraham Baca, and Mr. Karl Wong, for your contributions which have been valuable in shaping my academic life and guiding me towards my goals and believing in me. Lastly, I am grateful for the everyday blessings and lessons, both big and small, that have enriched my life.
"The process is always greater than the product" - Inky Johnson

Jaehyeok Choi

Transfer College & Major:
UC Berkeley, Media Studies

What is your GCC transfer success story?
I am an international student from South Korea. I have been at GCC for two years. When I first came to GCC to play baseball for the GCC baseball team. And after playing for a year for the team, I quit playing and prepared to transfer to the university. Living my entire life in South Korea as a student-athlete, I had no chance to study replaced to practice. However, when I got to GCC, they allowed me to combine studying and playing.

How did GCC help you get to where you want to be?
Before coming to the GCC, I had no background in all academics. GCC allowed me to build the essential knowledge to study for me. And all the professors here were so amazing. They never gave me up, even though I got left behind in the courses, and gave me motivation. I definitely think that is how I got into where I wanted to be.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
Because of all staff at GCC, I could make it. I would say thanks to those who have been beside me at GCC. It’s been only two years even to start to speak English. That means you all can make it whatever you want if you make your best effort with all GCC members. And don't forget there always are GCC members supporting you behind.

Erika Kiyourkian

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
AA-T Psychology, AA Social Sciences

Transfer College & Major:
UCLA, Psychology

What is your GCC transfer success story?
When I first came to GCC, I knew I wanted to apply to UCLA and I decided to work as hard as possible to get accepted. With the help of the amazing counselors at GCC, I was able to stay on track in terms of the required courses I had to take as a psychology major. All of this helped me in getting accepted to UCLA, which has been my dream school for many years.

How did GCC help you get to where you want to be?
I loved the GCC environment from the first semester that I took in-person classes. All the staff members are extremely nice and helpful. I felt comfortable asking counselors and my professors for help because they were all so caring and loving. Their positive energy motivated me to ask for help to make sure I stay on track.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
I would have to say the biggest things that helped me get to where I am today are my strong faith in God, the support I got from family and friends, and the amazing GCC psychology professors which helped me fall in love with my major even more.

Yesenia Cortes

GCC Associate Degree(s) Earned:
Business Administration AA-T

Transfer College & Major:
Cal Poly Pomona, Business Administration Management

What is your transfer success story?
After dropping out of four different community colleges, I decided to finally go back to school in the Fall of 2020. I truly used to think that school was never a path I wanted to take, but I'm glad I finally decided to give it another go. I took a step back from my professional career to focus on my education, and although I was afraid to lose my income, graduating with honors and receiving acceptance letters to all the schools I applied to has been the most rewarding. My top choice has always been Cal Poly Pomona, and I'm so happy to be furthering my education in Business Administration (Human Resources, Management) in the Fall of 2023! Go Broncos!

How did GCC help you get where you want to be?
Since the beginning of my journey at GCC, my counselor Carla Ruiz has been extremely helpful. Every doubt, question, or concern I had, she was there to assure me that I can do it. Also, I was extremely lucky to have incredible professors; Andre Yefremian (thank you for your support!), Jason Bender, Jose Garcia, Flavio Frontini, and many others. I work for a company that does not support my educational journey and having the staff at GCC and La Comunidad being there to cheer me on has been a blessing.

Shout-outs and Words of Wisdom?
I would like to thank my counselor Carla Ruiz. Without her encouragement and support, I would not have stayed as motivated to complete this journey. Professor Andre Yefremian thank you for the inspiration when I doubted myself, and to La Comunidad, I wish I had joined sooner! Thank you for giving me a place to study on Mondays before my professors' office hours and for the endless snacks. I had a lot of odds against me especially because I didn't qualify for financial aid or waivers, with a massive loss in income completing my AA was hard and I couldn't have done it without the support at GCC and my loved ones of course.