I graduated from high school in June 2017 with the intention of attending UC San Diego. Ultimately, I ended up attending Santa Monica College, and it was one of the best decisions I made throughout my journey in higher education. During my first semester, I was able to get a student worker position in the Transfer Counseling Center. By attending community college and working in the transfer office, I gained a lot of knowledge about how to navigate higher education. I learned about the transfer process, the importance of asking questions, and how to use the resources available to me. This experience also introduced me to what we like to call the “hidden curriculum,” which is the information and knowledge that students are often expected to know but are not always directly taught. Working in the counseling center helped me better understand this hidden curriculum and gave me the encouragement I needed during my transfer journey. It also showed me how important it is for students to have access to people and resources that can guide them.

I was encouraged to apply to the CCCP Scholars Program by a counselor in the counseling center. When I received the phone call letting me know that I had been accepted into the residential program, I was excited but also nervous because it would be my first time away from home. On the first day of the program, CCCP hosted a parent orientation. It was the first time my mom was introduced to information about four-year universities and the transfer process in a way that she could fully understand, since the orientation was facilitated in Spanish. This gave her the opportunity to learn more about my transfer journey and feel more connected to the process. Personally, the program encouraged me to apply to selective universities and helped me understand that my experiences as a low-income and first-generation college student were an important part of my story. CCCP taught me how to use those experiences in my UC application and gave me the confidence to believe that I belonged at a four-year university.

Some of my most memorable experiences were the connections I formed beyond academics. I not only found people who cared about my academic transition to UC Berkeley, but also people who supported me when I felt homesick or overwhelmed by living in a new city. They showed me around, helped me feel more comfortable in my new environment, and truly cared about my overall well-being.

I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The beginning of my journey at Berkeley was challenging because it was my first time living far from home for an extended period and navigating a new environment. As a transfer student, I also had to adjust quickly to the academic expectations and pace of the university while trying to build a sense of community on a new campus. During my second semester, I found a strong support system through UC Berkeley’s Transfer Student Center and Student Support Services program. These spaces helped me connect with other transfer students who understood many of the challenges I was experiencing. The encouragement I received from staff and fellow students made me feel less alone and reminded me that I belonged at Berkeley. Although I had to complete my final year through Zoom, I was able to persevere with the support of my fellow transfer students, the Transfer Student Center staff, and my family. Finishing college remotely was not the experience I expected, and there were moments when I felt disconnected from the campus community. However, I remained committed to completing my degree. After graduating, I truly recognized how my determination and resilience helped me navigate one of the most challenging and life-changing experiences of my life. My experience at Berkeley taught me the importance of community, mentorship, and having access to supportive resources.The experience also taught me that I am capable of stepping outside of my comfort zone, moving away from home, and building a life for myself in a new environment.

After graduating, I knew I wanted to find a role where I could work directly with students and support them throughout their educational journeys. I now have the privilege of working with CCCP as a program coordinator and supporting students from diverse backgrounds as they prepare to transfer to four-year universities. In my role, I help students learn about the transfer process, connect them with resources, and feel more confident in their ability to succeed in higher education. I am also able to share my own experiences as a former community college transfer student and CCCP Scholar with students who may be experiencing some of the same doubts and challenges that I once faced.

Everyone should know that CCCP is more than a transfer program. It provides students with the support, resources, and confidence they need to see themselves at a four-year university. CCCP also creates a strong sense of community and helps students understand that their backgrounds and lived experiences are strengths. For me, the program encouraged me to apply to selective universities, supported my transition, and helped me believe that I belonged. Its impact continues beyond transfer because many students go on to support and encourage others.