Student Success Stories

Student Success

Every Student is a Success Story! Compton College helps students succeed and provides personalized support to aid in the achievement of their educational and career goals. We love sharing Compton College student/alumni stories and hope they inspire YOU to create your own success story. We're here to help!

Crystal Moore

Compton College student Crystal Moore is one of 10 student leaders selected for a 2023-2024 Dymally Institute Fellows program in partnership with California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

Kendra Carnes

Kendra Carnes served as the Compton Community College District (CCCD) student trustee during the 2022-23 academic year, taking the oath of office on December 12, 2022.

Yahziq Ohmn-Drayden

A lifelong learner and student of life, Yahziq Ohmn-Drayden entered academia at the age of 40 by enrolling at Compton College in 2018. 

Armando Arguello

Compton College 2023 graduate Armando Arguello has played baseball since age 4 and has fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a collegiate baseball player.

Bryan Benitez

Compton College 2023 Presidential Scholar Bryan Benitez transferred to the University of California, San Diego in fall 2023 to continue his higher education after earning two associate degrees at Compton College while also earning his high school diploma.

Mayra Fuentes Pineda

Career changer Mayra Fuentes Pineda knew she wanted to work in the field of healthcare helping others, especially those from underserved communities and Compton College provided the educational foundation she needed to pursue a new career direction.

Claudia Blandino

“The professors at Compton College have inspired me to take the route of becoming a college professor,” said Claudia Blandino, a 2021 graduate of Compton College who transferred to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) to continue her studies as a sociology major. 

Samantha Valle

Samantha Valle is devoted to her family, her studies, and her community, all of which drives her and allows her to persevere through the challenges life presents to her. 

Ernest Wilkerson, Jr.

Ernest Wilkerson, Jr., has earned twenty certificates and four associate degrees in automotive repair at Compton College. Growing up in Compton, college was the last thing on Ernest's mind.

Malachi Moore

Born and raised in Compton, Malachi Moore grew up playing football and going to Compton College to watch baseball games with his brother. Together, they had big dreams. But in 2006, his brother lost his life to gang violence.

Desiree Sibrian

Desiree Sibrian knew a college education was the only way she would be able to secure a stable job, increase her earnings, and expand her career opportunities. 

Marx Guzman

In Peru, Marx Guzman was passionate about biology—he loved watching his father work as a biologist. When he moved to California, Marx knew he wanted to continue exploring the complexity of living things.

Yvonne Godfrey

After 13 years of running a registered daycare out of her home, Yvonne Godfrey realized her limited education was also limiting her income.

Matthew Morris

Raised in Compton by grandparents who were Compton College alums, Matthew Morris grew up in a community he loved and like many young men, dreamed of playing pro basketball. 

Victoria Torres

Victoria Torres wanted a rewarding career that fulfilled her life, and Compton offered a supportive path to get there.

Browniesha Blackman

Browniesha Blackman has been a caring advocate all her life, but growing up in Compton, she felt powerless as she watched her city struggle to unite. 

Oscar Espinoza

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

Irlanda Bucio

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.

Miguel Quintero

"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.

Paul Medina

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

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.

Jairo Salgado Student Spotlight

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

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." 

Cecilia Almeida Student Spotlight

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.

Ricky Robles

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.

Jose Gonzalez

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."

Nicole Aguirre

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. 

Sadia Escovar

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..."

Julio Reyes Cabezas

"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

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

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

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 Wright

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

Irma Leyva

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.

Queen Ashonti Juarez Ward

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

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

Anthony Onwuegbuzia

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.

Benson Atkins

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

Jonathan Minero

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

Jonathan Riptoe

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

Zoe and Airelle Hernandez

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.

Erik Aparico

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.

Daniel Astorga

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

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

Majesty Goodlow

"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

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

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

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

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 Gutiérrez

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

Brenda Rodriguez-Juarez

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

Faith Minor

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

Ivan Vazquez

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

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

Armida Ramirez

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

Stephanie Arely Zacatares

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

Ted Somers

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.

Alejandro Trujillo

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

Carlos Ornelas

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

Carolyn Scott

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

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

Justin Medrano

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

Michael Daugherty

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

Terrance Stewart

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.

Tywanna Davis

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.

 

 

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