I’ve always been an athlete: I competed in two Xterra Trail Run World Championship 21K runs and won a Hawaii state tennis championship at 40 years old. However, I considered myself a “dumb jock” because I flunked out of high school. I went many years thinking that I was not smart or capable enough to ever go to college.  

Everything changed when I enrolled in community college in my late 40s. I started getting A’s in my classes and joined the honors program! I graduated community college with three associate degrees and graduated magna cum laude. I received acceptance letters from four schools in the Cal State system and four in the University of California system.  

I chose UCLA in great part because of the Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP). When it was time to fill out applications to transfer, I reached out to one person and immediately a whole team was there to assist with anything I needed. The assistance that I received helped me build a stronger application and gave me confidence to apply to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. 

 In fact, immediately after becoming a CCCP scholar, I was able to foster a community at UCLA that kept me from feeling alone or lonely. I knew that any time I needed someone to chat with, I could reach out to anyone in the CCCP family, not with just other Native/Pacific Islanders.  

I had so many memorable experiences at UCLA. Sitting in the den at all the sporting events. The community that was built within the CCCP family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being on the inaugural subcommittee for trans/nonbinary issues on the UCLA campus. Being a staff writer for OutWrite Queer Newsmag. Hearing Michelle Obama speak at College Signing Day. Being highlighted on the UCLA Instagram page. Being an intern at the Los Angeles LGBT center in policy making and community building. Being a student worker in the American Indian Studies Center and running the Books and Resources for American Indians in Detention (BRAID) program. Walking Bruin Walk and several people saying hi to me. Being included in a documentary that highlighted my journey to UCLA. Being a board member for Transgender UCLA Pride. Being the director of TRANSfer Pride Admit Week. Being a student speaker for the Gender Studies Department graduation ceremony. Receiving several prestigious awards and being highlighted in UCLA articles. And so many more! 

When I graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s in gender studies and a minor in LGBTQ studies, the feeling was overwhelming. From what I thought was impossible, I made it possible! I am now a graduate from one of the most prestigious universities in the world! I cannot find the words to describe what this means to me other than to say, if I can do it, so can you — and CCCP can help.