Raised in Compton, Oscar Espinoza has always appreciated the values and opportunities in his community. 

Although a thirty-year resident of Compton, Irlanda Bucio  didn’t know that being a college student could not only help her build a better life but could also give her access to much-needed resources.

"As an undocumented student, I attended college during a time when I didn't know if I was going to make it or not. If it wasn't for DACA, I don't think I would have completed college," said Compton College alumni Miguel Quintero.

First-generation, non-traditional student Paul Medina was elected by his peers last spring to serve as ASG President for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Regina Washington is a non-traditional student who enrolled at Compton College with the goal of obtaining a degree in geology and a minor in computer science.

Just a few years ago, Jairo Salgado was grappling with issues of homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration. Today, he has a full-time job as a machine operator at Fastener Innovation Technology

Claudia Blue always knew she wanted to be a teacher. "Growing up, I knew that education was really important," she says. "I could see myself doing that forever." 

Compton College alumna Cecilia Almeida was compelled to follow a specific career path when a tragic event occurred in her life. Eleven years ago, her father was murdered and his killer was never found.

When Ricky Robles first went to community college, he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. He was interested in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field, so he majored in computer science.

As a DACA recipient, Jose Gonzalez future was very uncertain in high school. "Higher education was a big question mark for me," he says. "I didn't know what I was going to do, because of my situation."

As the only woman in her automotive technology classes at Compton College, Compton resident Nicole Aguirre used the opportunity to challenge herself to perform at the top of her class. 

Compton College student Sadia Escovar likes to share her student success story in hopes that it will inspire others to improve their quality of life. "I believe that I am meant to make a difference by helping others..."

"As a DACA student, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities I've received." says Julio Reyes Cabezas, who is currently working toward his master's degree in counseling at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB).

Dakota McMahand was always taught that she should go to college. The first in her family to do so, it was an important milestone. What she lacked, however, was the how.

Tre Willingham, the former Compton College STEM Club president graduated with multiple associate of science degrees in spring of 2021 and will continue his studies as a physics major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona this fall.

Jessica Ramos graduated from Compton College with an associate degree and was accepted to California State University, Dominguez Hills to major in business administration.

Enid Jai Wright graduated from Compton College in spring 2021 and was honored to be selected as the student speaker for the Commencement Ceremony.

Compton College alumna Irma Leyva is currently applying to master's programs at the California State University campuses in Dominguez Hills and Long Beach. She is considering a career as a social worker or a psychotherapy counselor.

Compton College student Queen Ashonti Juarez Ward has not let the many barriers and setbacks she has faced in her past stop her from achieving her life goals.

Steve Hsin is a non-traditional student that began his educational journey at Compton College in 2019.

Compton College sociology major Anthony Onwuegbuzia is one of only 27 students accepted in fall 2018 to the Community College to PhD (CC2PhD) Scholars program sponsored by a UCLA association.

Compton College student Benson Atkins is currently serving as the 2020-2021 student trustee for the Compton Community College District (CCCD).

Jonathan Minero enrolled at Compton College to turn his passion into a career after working for several years following his graduation from high school.

Compton College 2020 graduate Jonathon Riptoe was selected as the student speaker for the college's 2020 Commencement Ceremony.

Twin sisters Arielle and Zoe Hernandez are 2020 Compton College graduates with a passion for designing characters like those that appear in video games or animated shows.

Los Angeles resident Erik Aparicio graduated from Compton College with an associate degree in June 2020 and transfer to a local four-year university in fall 2020 to major in electrical engineering.

Compton College turned out to be the best place for Daniel Astorga to pursue his academic goals; he is now headed toward a career in medicine.

Oscar Miguel Gomez has aspirations to become an astronaut and Compton College is giving him the educational foundation to follow his career dreams.

"I want to thank Compton College from the bottom of my heart. I have made a turnaround in my life, and I feel like I'm winning," said Compton College student Majesty Goodlow.

Jamie Alvarez knows she has potential and does not let the barriers she has faced stop her from shooting for the stars, literally.

Amy Snyder is a 2019 recipient of the Ophelia Scott Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to full-time nursing students who are entering their second semester of the Nursing Program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Amy Torres is a non-traditional student who was looking for a short-term solution leading to a better-paying career. While she had started college many years ago, family obligations required her to interrupt her education to enter the workforce.

Yesenia Duarte is a 2019 Compton College graduate who transferred to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) this fall as a chemistry major. She is interested in possibly pursuing a career as a forensic scientist.

Xavier Francisco Gutierrez graduated from Compton College in June 2019 with several associate degrees.

Brenda Rodriguez-Juarez graduated with an associate degree in June 2019 and is transferring to the UCLA this fall.

Faith Minor graduated with an associate degree in June 2018 and was selected as the student speaker for the 2018 Commencement Ceremony.

Ivan Vasquez graduated in June 2018, earning his associate degree in only three semesters while spending a good deal of that time on the Tartar soccer field

Ana Ruiz Bonaparte is a 2019 Compton College Presidential Scholar. She is a student at the Compton Early College High School.

Armida Ramirez is a 2019 Compton College Presidential Scholar. She graduated with an associate degree in June 2019.

Stephanie Arely Zacatares is a 2019 Compton College Presidential Scholar. She graduated fromCompton College with an associate degree in June 2019.

Ted Somers graduated with an associate degree for transfer in June 2019 with plans to transfer to a local four-year university to pursue a double major in psychology and behavioral science.

Compton native Alejandro Trujillo is a bright and thoughtful man who has had more than his share of adversity in his life.

Once Carlos Ornelas, a single father, made the decision to return to school, he jumped in with both feet.

Carolyn Scott took advantage of her strong educational foundation to return to school to pursue a master's degree after more than a decade in the workforce.

Jannice Gamble was honored to serve as the student speaker for the 2015 Commencement Ceremony at El Camino College Compton Center.

Political science major Justin Medrano, and legal studies minor, plans to one day attend law school.

When asked what advice he would give to new students at El Camino College Compton Center, Michael Daugherty simply said, "Anything is possible!"

The day that Terrance Stewart enrolled at El Camino College Compton Center was a day that would change the course of his life for the better.

Math anxiety had plagued Tywanna Davis since she was in the third grade. By the time she was a young adult, she had convinced herself that her lack of math skills would hold her back from earning a college degree.