As a male Filipino scholar raised in a single parent household, my journey to higher education was never the most positive one. During pandemic, I found myself lacking a consistent support system and sense of belonging, which affected my academic achievement and mental health. While being the only person in my friend group to attend community college, I never took higher education seriously. However, I quickly found motivation during my time as a public speaking tutor at Long Beach City College (LBCC). From March 2021 to June 2022, I managed a caseload of 80 community college students. As public speaking is known to be everyone’s biggest fear, I was able to foster a positive environment through engaging speech activities and individualized one-on-one sessions, which ultimately lead to an increase of student success. Simultaneously, this role made me realize the importance of transfer students, and how empowering everyone’s story is. In the Fall of 2021, I tagged to UCSB and had my mind set on that one campus. Prior to submitting this application, LBCC’s Transfer Center and my mom encouraged me to click the checkmark next to UCLA. I always felt imposter syndrome and have never thought about a prestige school like UCLA, ever. Trusting myself, I selected a few more UC’s, alongside UCLA, and received acceptances to every one of them. Looking back, I attribute my confidence to the students I supported during my role as a public speaking tutor. Each student helped me realize that the community college route is not an easier option, but an option for those who are resilient.

My involvement with UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) did not start until Spring of 2024. Prior to working as a Peer Advisor, I was never really involved on campus. I did not fit in any clubs, I struggled to find research opportunities, and I barely gave any speeches in my classes (despite being a Communication. major). Throughout my first year and a half at UCLA, I carried a lingering void from leaving behind my role as a public speaking tutor at LBCC, where I found purpose in empowering students to find their voices. One of my close friends connected me with UCLA CCCP before applying that Spring. Personally, UCLA CCCP has helped me achieve my why: to lead by empowering students to recognize their potential and pursue opportunities they once thought were out of reach. Just like how I thought UCLA was out of reach, I would like to be the kind of leader I once needed. While serving as a Program Coordinator for Long Beach City College, I cannot thank UCLA CCCP enough for the opportunity to support students. Since September of 2024, I have had the great privilege to lead two inspiring Peer Advisor teams. Our LBCC Peer Advisors have consisted of Ellaine, Gem, Jasmine, Jessica, Kristianna, Kyshia, Lilly, and Sasha. Each and every one of them have contributed to many of our team’s successes. Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Alfred Herrera, Dr. Claudia Salcedo, President Dr. Mike Muñoz, Dr. Javier Villaseñor, Ruben Page, and Santi Bernal, we have hosted 8 UCLA tours for LBCC and a diverse amount of workshops surrounding student equity, UC application support, transfer panels, and more.

Currently, I am preparing to begin my first semester in California State University, Long Beach’s Student Development in Higher Education master’s program, where I will pursue a Master of Science in Counseling. As I begin this next chapter of my personal and professional journey, I am incredibly grateful to have UCLA CCCP in my corner. The mentorship, opportunities, workshops, Peer Advisors, LBCC faculty, and community I found through CCCP have shaped me into the leader I am today, which has strengthened my commitment to create a more equitable future for underserved communities in higher education.