Success Stories

"ARC opened the world for me." Norris Posehn Alumni / 1962 to 1966 / Retired Army Colonel Serving on the Army Chief of Staff's Retiree / American River College

For the first time in my life I took academics seriously, became involved with a service organization (Circle K), emerged myself in campus life, and student government. The standards at ARC were high and I worked hard to meet them. I learned how to work successfully with others and accept constructive criticism. These lessons have served me well throughout life. I would tell future students: Hold on to dreams, be persistent, and always remember that it's never too late.

"ARC gave me the toolkit and self-confidence to handle the academic rigor at places like UC Davis and Princeton." Jasanté Howard Alum / 2018 / Political Science / American River College

I started at American River College in January of 2016, when I was 18, after moving to Sacramento from Williamsburg, VA on my own. Moving here alone brought with it some great struggles that I couldn't have foreseen at that age, but which had a profound impact on me personally. These difficulties ultimately left me homeless/at-risk for a large portion of the time that I was attending ARC, but both during this period and during the period which led up to it, I met some of the most amazing and inspiring professors who were always willing to stay after class to chat with me. Professors like Frank Araujo, Kathleen Collihan, and Betty Chan all advised and mentored me at the most difficult and isolating times in my life, and I can never thank them enough for that.

It was through these reaffirming experiences with the amazing professors at ARC that I, as someone who hated school growing up (I had something like 120 absences throughout high school), ultimately became the student and person I am today. Likewise, growing up, the opportunities for academic clubs like Model United Nations (MUN) were pretty limited or inaccessible for me – but it was at ARC that I came to see their value. Even though I was working in AmeriCorps as a VISTA and still at-risk as far as housing, I decided to join MUN – which is run by Professor Collihan – during my last semester at ARC. While my other responsibilities ultimately prevented me from being able to go to the MUN conference, the experience of getting to work with others in an extracurricular academic context pushed me to continue doing so at UC Davis. Plus, Professor Collihan made it fun, which always makes learning and engaging easier (I'll never forget the classes I took with her as well)! Similarly, it was through the creative-writing festival hosted at ARC, SummerWords, that I learned how much I loved writing. Were it not for the scholarship the school awarded me to attend two years in a row, I might have never found my love for poetry and likewise my love of making music/rapping.

Now, I'm finishing up my last quarter at UC Davis, where I transferred in 2019. Through a variety of research experiences and extracurricular activities here – including doing stories for the university radio station and working on a documentary about institutional racism – I found my home in studying American politics. Last quarter I completed my senior honors thesis on Black respectability politics in the US Congress, and I plan to continue researching this and related topics in graduate school. To that end, I also recently accepted an offer to attend Princeton University this fall to pursue a ( fully funded!) PhD in American Politics with an emphasis on Black politics, class conflict, and political behavior.

While writing my thesis I was also awarded my first fellowship via the American Political Science Association's Minority Fellowship Program. I also got the wonderful opportunity to present my thesis proposal at the Emerging Scholars Conference at the University of Michigan, which helped introduce me to more amazing scholars in my cohort and faculty across the discipline. As a first generation student who grew up poor and often was told by teachers that I was a disappointment (or that I had potential but didn't apply myself), my experiences at ARC with such kind and passionate faculty were incredibly healing and life-affirming. It was there that I learned not only that it was possible for me to love school, but that I might want to give back and teach or research myself one day. Now, I have the opportunity to do so, and I can definitely say that despite the turmoil I went through to get here, I wouldn't be at this point without ARC and I'm forever grateful for that experience. At the very least, I'd have a lot more debt and probably be more cynical about the prospect of higher education otherwise.

Personally, my experiences in community college led me to believe that more people should attend community college first. Contrary to the prevailing advice when I was growing up, I felt that ARC gave me the toolkit and self-confidence to handle the academic rigor at places like UC Davis and Princeton. Lastly, I cannot underscore enough how positively impactful my overall experience was at ARC – the communal environment and incredibly genuine, thoughtful, and caring faculty changed my life – professors and support staff alike! I felt I had the freedom there to pursue all of my academic interests (I started off in English and anthropology before coming to politics). This ultimately gave me the means to find my calling.

"I am incredibly lucky to do what I love for a living and it all started at ARC." Bethany Deal Alumni / 2004 to 2007 / Costume Designer/Shop Manager for Center Rep Theater, Walnut Creek / American River College

ARC Theater constantly pushes students and prepares them for future careers in the industry and this can be attributed to the fact that many of the faculty work professionally outside of education. I was introduced and was able to work for several professional theaters before even transferring including CMT-Music Circus and Capital Stage. With a clear goal of working in costumes I was ready to work hard to make it happen and I am proud to say I do. I am very blessed to work full time in the arts. I am currently the costume shop manager for Center Rep Theater in Walnut Creek Ca as well as working as a freelance costume designer in the greater bay area. I feel I owe this achievement to the amazing faculty of the American River College Theater program. If I would give any advice to students it would be to never give up and it's never going to be easy but it will be very worth it. If I gave up every time I had a challenge I would not have made it far, it is also important to realize the value of your teachers.

"The Legal Studies program provided me with a great foundation in the study of law." Benjamin H. Eagleton Alumni / 2010-2011 / Probate Litigation Attorney, BPE Law Group, P.C. - offices in Gold River and Lincoln, California / American River College

Before law school, I enrolled in and completed, the American River College Legal Assisting program. The curriculum, esteemed faculty there, and its ABA approval played a key role in developing my legal career. After completing the Legal Assisting degree at American River College, I started Lincoln Law School of Sacramento's evening Juris Doctor Program in 2011. Almost immediately after beginning the ARC program, a classmate of mine introduced me to their employer Therese A. Adams, a local attorney who advised the legal assisting program in its development and its ABA approval. I was hired right away as a part-time Paralegal at Adams & Hayes Law and then after completing the program accepted a full-time position there. ARC created the opportunity for me to obtain a great job and this was a huge benefit. The Legal Assisting coursework was also a valuable preview to my first year of law school. Going into the first year, I already knew basic Contracts theories and was very familiar with the elements of many Intentional Torts and Negligence - this
really allowed me to excel. Also, taking the Probate and Estate Planning elective at ARC, in large part, inspired me to pursue my current practice area. I encourage Legal Assisting students to make the most of the program. Get involved in the Legal Assisting Club, and reach out to American River College Alumni. Pick-up any practical experience you can. There are plenty of opportunities available if you look in the right places. ARC qualified me to work in the legal field, it introduced me to a network of legal professionals, and it proved to be an invaluable source of academia for me.

"ARC allowed me to grow as a student." Nolan Ruiz Alum / 2002 / McDonald’s Restaurant Operator / American River College

Most people view fast-food chain jobs as a first job opportunity or a temporary job to get work experience, or work your way through college. For Nolan Ruiz, American River College alumnus, what started as a temporary McDonald’s job with his father’s business in high school came full circle in 2013 when he became an official McDonald’s restaurant operator and eventually an owner in 2015 of now 20 locations.

Ruiz said the affordable cost was what drew him to ARC at first, where he majored in business administration, but upon looking back felt he had received a valuable education and experiences at ARC that contributed to his success moving forward and his passion for advocacy in local communities.

“[ARC] provided me an excellent education. The quality of professors was exceptional,” Ruiz said. “Seeing how American River College worked its mission in education with the support and connection it had with the local community was a great lesson in civic responsibility and leadership.”

Ruiz attended ARC from 2000 to 2002, where he became the student body president, started his own painting business for a summer, participated as an honorary member of the ARC Foundation Board and addressed the student body in the midst of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

He went on to obtain a B.S. in business administration from Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. He had been practicing law for three years as a prosecutor and was looking into opening his own law firm when an unexpected opportunity arose in 2013.

Ruiz’ father, who was the owner of the franchise where Ruiz started, had contacted him about rejoining the family business, which was flourishing. Ruiz’s father had grown the organization from one to nine restaurant locations.

After becoming an operator, Ruiz used his savings to purchase a stake in the company, which was one of the nine restaurants. With no opportunities to expand in Sacramento or in the surrounding area, Ruiz decided to branch out and look at other opportunities in other states.

In September 2015, Ruiz sold his restaurant and home in Sacramento and used the money to purchase a three-store package in St. Louis. Since then, he has grown the franchise from three restaurants to 19 and is currently closing a twentieth.

He is also on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House, is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis and recently became a member of the Regional Business Council where he puts his advocacy skills to use.

“I found that my advocacy skills are used within my organization primarily. All skills come to bear within the organization and those I have the privilege of leading,” Ruiz said. “It’s a lot of work, but you’re not just teaching them to be a better leader or manager, you’re teaching them to be better with relationships.”

"The memorable moments for me were when I got to watch each student fulfill their dreams and find what truly makes them happy." James Mar Alum & Emeriti / 2019 / Shown with fellow alum Luba Pislar / American River College

For students entering college for the first time, usually the main goal is to discover purpose and go on to find success. Retired American River College counselor James Mar, also known as “Mr. American River,” believes his work as a counselor, and helping students gain clarity and direction, was fulfilling his destiny and true passion.

“Students mainly need to hear to follow their heart and to follow their curiosity. Those two will give you happiness in the future,” he said reflecting on how one encounter with a counselor at Sacramento City College changed his entire perspective on higher education.

Straight out of El Camino High School, Mar was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley to study engineering, but declined the offer and instead enrolled in Sacramento City College.

As an engineering major, Mar said he felt like he was a bit misguided and was struggling with some of his required courses. He said he worried that if he continued into the profession things would collapse. This led him to meet with a Sacramento City College counselor to explore his options.

Mar said that even today, he remembers how impactful meeting with a helpful and kind-hearted counselor was for him.

“She asked me the question, ‘What do you love to do?’ and this really paused me because in Chinese philosophy I don’t think that way,” Mar said. “You think of other people and fulfilling what their desires are. To think of what I wanted was very foreign to me.”

Mar was raised by what he calls “Old Chinese” parents with a culture very familiar with fulfilling the parent’s desires academically and professionally, which caused an immense amount of stress and pressure when it came to decision making. Ultimately Mar felt that his parents played an important role in creating a drive for success that stuck with him as he pursued his career, but the counselor he met with played an important role in choosing to put his dreams first.

After that meeting, Mar changed his major to psychology and went on to graduate from Sacramento City College. He furthered is education by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University in 1970 and a Master’s degree in Counseling (School; and Marriage, Family & Child emphasis) in 1974 from Sacramento State University. After receiving his Master’s degree, he took a part-time counseling position at Encina High School which led to a full-time crisis counseling position at McClatchy High School where he worked with Asian gangs.

“I wanted to help people in some capacity, whether that was in social work, high school counseling, a community-based organization; I was involved with student advocacy work while in college and strongly felt I needed to change society,” Mar said.

His passion for helping misguided students eventually led him to a part time counseling position with ARC in 1975 and various other roles including Dean of Student Development for a decade.

“The memorable moments for me were when I got to watch each student fulfill their dreams and find what truly makes them happy,” he said.

Even though Mar officially retired in 2014, he has still volunteered part time, continuing to benefit student success and academic fulfillment as a counselor.

Mar went on to become an ARC donor and developed three different student scholarships, the Jane Mar Leadership Role Scholarship, the Albert Mar Veterans Scholarship and the Judy Mays/James Mar Psychology Scholarship as his lasting legacy and contribution.

“I’ve helped many women and people of color go through the process of unfolding their cultural and religious impact and help put clarity in their own thoughts and hearts,” Mar said. “That is the main skill of a counselor to me. It’s not just giving advice, but helping them see what’s truly in their heart.”

Mar has advised and consoled students of all statuses, backgrounds and life-stages; students pressured to enter certain career fields where they would not be fulfilling their real passion. His goal as a counselor is to remind students that following their own dreams over a family member’s expectation for them is an important part of finding true happiness.

He has also donated towards plaques under two of his top female student’s names; one a Russian-Ukrainian student whose dream was to go to Berkeley and to an international Moroccan student whose dream was to go to Stanford.

“All of it taught me to teach from experience. I’ve had a very rich life and am very blessed. I loved what I was doing every minute at American River,” Mar added. “As I get older, I feel very fortunate in my life, and wouldn’t change a bit.”

"My proudest swimming moment was when I was swimming my first season at ARC" Elizabeth Cocker Alumni / 2014-2016 / Social Science / American River College

I attended ARC the following summer after I graduated from Walnutwood High School - Independent Study in spring of 2014. I completed all of my General Education and graduated from ARC in spring of 2016 with an AA degree in Social Science before transferring to Cal State East Bay. I love attending ARC because they have amazing professors there. Because my education is important to me, I've often talked to my teachers after my classes ended and I visited them during their office hours to ask additional questions. They were so willing to help me succeed in all of my classes and I got to develop great professional relationships with them. Also, Out of all four Los Rios College, ARC has the best swim team and I could see myself excel there. At the 2015 conference championship, I raced my heart out in the 100-butterfly final and when I touched the wall at the end of the race and looked up at the time board to see that I went 59 seconds - first time under a minute! It was a special moment for me. I truly believe if you push through those hard moments, then you will find yourself achieving things that were once thought impossible to accomplished.

"ARC served as a buffer to the shock of being a newcomer on so many levels." Clarissa Laguardia Alumni / 2012 / Liberal Arts / American River College

I emigrated from El Salvador and arrived in California fresh out of high school in 2003. Back in those days, the internet was not what it is today. I had not been exposed to other languages or cultures. My early years in El Salvador encompassed a life of limitations and an ongoing brutal civil war, which meant poverty, insecurity, scarcity, and political unrest. Those were uncertain times, and when you are so young it really stays with you. My parents worked extremely hard but there were few opportunities around.

Once in the U.S., I began working at a grocery store in North Sacramento. I remember people’s looks because I did not understand enough English or could not express myself. I clearly remember pranks by co-workers, their put downs such as “go back to your country,” and other discriminatory behavior. All of this made me feel unwelcome and small. For example, when asked to go grab “clam chowder or ravioli,'' I had no idea what that meant. I did not know idiomatic expressions or pop culture. All I knew was the volcanoes, tropical jungle, and the Latin American history, culture, and cuisine of my homeland. It is a terrifying situation for a young woman.

A few months in, I was able to secure a better job at a large school district. This allowed me to have the headspace to think a bit ahead. I learned about American River College. I went in and it was quite intimidating. I had never been to a learning institution that big ever. All my schools in El Salvador were so tiny in comparison to American schools. I had to ask strangers as to what to do to enroll or how things worked around here. I had no concept of a counselor. I had no idea what that meant. I would meet with them and leave still confused, simply because I had no context to what they were talking about. Finally, I took placement tests and proceeded to take ESL classes. I could have never guessed this would be a decisive moment in my life. Had I not taken the time to learn English well, I would not be where I am today. ARC served as a buffer to the shock of being a newcomer on so many levels. I was among peers who shared a similar experience. I was lucky to learn from dedicated professors. The student support service centers helped me navigate an otherwise intimidating situation.

Unless you are an immigrant, you have no concept of what it is like to walk around not knowing anything. I mean that literally. I did not know cultural norms, which meant I did not know how to act or dress American. I stood out. I had to couch surf as I did not have a place to live just months after arriving. I did not know there were stores that had discounted groceries or places to buy used furniture. My first apartment was empty for a while. For years, I scrambled to make ends meet. Many times, filling my belly with water because I had no food. I had no extra money. I was not financially literate. I lacked most survival skills. The great side of this story is that somehow I learned to navigate everything. This experience made me tough, resilient, and fearless.

After earning an Associate’s Degree at American River College, I was able to transfer to Sacramento State University. Once again, I was truly lost. I still did not understand the higher education system and the difference between community college and a 4-year college. At that point, I had decided to leave my stable job at the school district to pursue my undergraduate degree, which motivated me to start my own business. I worked as a translator and interpreter for about eight years and so it was the logical type of business to go into. I am proud my business has been active and gradually growing over the last 15 years.

In 2015, I was able to successfully graduate with a B.A. in Communication Studies with a concentration in international and intercultural communication. Around the same time, I started volunteering for various causes in the community. I was awarded Inspiration Estrella by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2018. That same year, I went to Italy to participate in a highly specialized training on intercultural communication research. In 2019, I served as a Governor appointee as Language Access Manager for the California Complete Count - Census 2020 Office. I developed the Census standards and Census methodology used by the state of California in their outreach campaign. The work I did was so meaningful to me. I hope to build upon it in the future.

My community activism led me to realize I wanted to do something about injustice and inequality. I enrolled at Sacramento State University to pursue a masters in public policy and administration. In May 2021, I joined the 4 percent of Latinas who have attained a master's degree or higher in the United States. I was nominated as CSUS’ Newman Civic Fellow in 2020. I have a deep gratitude for Sac State because that is where I found mentors among peers and faculty, but also made lasting friendships. Over the span of almost 17 years in the language access realm, I have learned a lot and can provide new insights on this topic. As part of my graduate work, I developed www.rethinklanguageaccess.com. A space to discuss and think of innovative ways to address the language gap affecting over 25 million Americans.

Of course, this journey has not been easy. I have put myself through college while supporting my mother back home. There were months I did not know how I would pay the rent or bills. At times, I had to work multiple jobs. I had to still show up in hostile environments despite inner battles with deep trauma. I doubted my ability to succeed. I was ashamed of my accent. I dealt with racist treatment almost everywhere I went. I had to learn content and language at the same time, which meant reading the same sentence too many times to count. It involved being the recipient of microaggressions.

In the end, I can say that this immigrant experience gave me an edge few people have. In fact, I developed a sense of setting goals and mapping a plan to achieve them. I became keenly strategic and intentional. Sometimes I cannot believe how much my life has changed. I grew up having so little. I own a small business, and I am getting ready to open a second venture. I intend to do public policy and/or civic engagement consulting. I continue to give back and serve on community organization boards. I am so pleased I am at a place where I can walk away from hostile environments because of my knowledge, education, and experience. I can choose where I work and what I do. None of it would be possible if I had not been able to learn English and earn my transfer prerequisites at ARC.

To all my fellow immigrants and queer people of color, never give up. Also, once you do achieve your dreams, take the time to help others along the way.

"I am who I am." Tyrna Brown Alum / Counseling / Phi Beta Kappa / American River College

Tyrna Brown overcame near death, abuse, homelessness, and despair, but she had the courage to reinvent herself in the ARC CalWORKs Program. Tyrna was able to become a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa at ARC, a club for students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Her journey to success started while attending a department of Human Assistance Job Club session. There, Tyrna heard a representative from ARC give a presentation about college that ignited her hopes for economic stability and personal growth. Once Tyrna enrolled at ARC, she never looked back.

When Tyrna found out that she was eligible for CalWORKs, she was so grateful. According to Tyrna, CalWORKs saved her life and gave her a chance to gain independence and take care of her son.

In the spring of 2012, Tyrna graduated from ARC, overcoming the fact that she had dropped out of high school at 16. Tyrna went on to Sacramento State where she pursued a degree in Counseling. Just before she received her degree from ARC, Tyrna proudly stated, "Now I am about to graduate! I've never graduated from anything, not even high school, and here I am. I can't believe it!”

"The skills I developed at ARC helped ensure my success at UC Berkeley and in my professional career" Deepika Raj Alumni / 2006 to 2008 / Unit Manager for California Dept. of Health Care Services / American River College

Taking social sciences classes at ARC, and later UC Berkeley, strengthened my analytical skills, reading comprehension, and writing skills that I continue to use on a daily basis. I was exposed to so many great professors that really cared about the success of their students. ARC allowed me to develop my leadership skills as the president of the Model United Nations Club on campus. My favorite part of ARC is their incredible faculty and the student life on campus. I was exposed to so many great professors that really cared about the success of their students. I felt prepared when I transferred to UC Berkeley because I was already exposed to performance expectations of professors at ARC. I also appreciated ARC's support for a vibrant student life on campus.

"ARC gave me a rock-solid foundation for my upper division classes at Davis." Laura Peters Alumni / 1987 to 1990 / Supervising Engineer at California Dept. of Water Resources / American River College

I transferred to UC Davis and graduated with my B.S. in 1992. ARC prepared me well for higher education. I loved the fact that the
professors at ARC were genuinely interested in teaching and working with the students. The teacher/class size ratio was very conducive to collaboration and personal interaction. We were there to learn, and the teachers were there to help us in every way they could. While participating in the Human Powered Vehicle competition at ARC, we built the recumbent bicycle in the engineering department, utilized all of the engineering principles we were learning to prepare the report, then got to race the bike and have a lot of fun in the process. I have had several teachers that believed in me and encouraged me to trust my intuition. I also participated on a few teams that collectively worked in a beautiful and seamless fashion. When things go right, it is amazing. I am always seeking that dynamic.

"ARC helped me succeed in my career." Steve Dooner Alumni / 1973 to 1975 / Project Management Team member at Disney Imagineering / American River College

My engineering background has allowed me to look at things, even in business, from multiple perspectives, which allows me to help solve problems. ARC helped me deal with people of different ages and backgrounds. ARC guided me through success in life by allowing me to be creative and look at new ideas for ways to do things. I loved the fact that The faculty was supportive and creative.

"Don't be afraid of new opportunities" Art Mark Alumni / 1966 to 1969 / Accounting and Management Information Science / American River College

I took general education courses at ARC and subsequently graduated with a BS degree in Accounting (1971) and MS degree in Management Information Science (1977) at California State University, Sacramento. I'm retired from a twenty-eight (28) year career in California State government from 1977 through 2006. Co-incident to my state career, I completed a twenty-two (22) year career in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve that included six (6) years of active duty. During my state career, I taught part time for California State University, Sacramento, American River College and Sacramento City College. All three aforementioned careers were due my knowledge in business, computers and information technology. In my "semi-retirement state "since 2006, I've been working
part time as an adjunct professor for a for-profit university and Sacramento City College. I also do small business consulting. Don't be afraid of new opportunities and to leave Sacramento to pursue your life and career aspirations. If things aren't to your liking, you can always come back to Sacramento. My past military experiences exposed me to other parts of the United States and some foreign countries/cultures.

"ARC allowed me to grow as a student." Sam Wambugu Alumni / 2003 to 2005 / Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Dignity Health / American River College

ARC to me is a foundation; I feel as if I can always come back if I need to learn a new skill. I made the most of my educational mistakes when I was at ARC and learned from them. I was a better student by the time I left ARC. Attending for 2 years and transferring
was a smart move; my college expenses were low and I enjoyed being on the cross country/track & field team.

"ARC is the refuge for someone seeking a great education at a low cost. " Kim Lee Alumni / 1969 to 1971 / Retired Community College ESL Instructor / American River College

At ARC, The classes were small which was great for student/teacher exchanges. The Political Science instructor let me lecture the class about the origins of the Vietnam War for 3 days because the class was so riveted by the topic. Perhaps with that ARJC provided me with a sneak preview of my future profession! The school also provided me with a scholarship named after Doris E. Raef.

"ARC prepared me for success." Rachel Zillner Alumni / 1999 to 2005 / VP of Community Banking and Membership, SAFE Credit Union / American River College

I took advantage of a summer abroad program and traveled with classmates and my Spanish teacher to Costa Rica. It was such an incredible growth opportunity for me both in learning and in confidence building. ARC prepared me for success at Sac State and to finish school eventually with my MBA. But spending six years at ARC noodling through classes as I tried to decide what and who I wanted to be, allowed me to graduate without any student loan debt.

"It has been amazing to be part of ARC." Wendy Callejas Alum / 2018 / Communication Studies and Language Studies / American River College

I started attending ARC the spring semester of 2014. My fall semester 2014 I became more involved with the PUENTE Club, which was being advised by counselor Manuel Ruedas. Manuel Ruedas introduced me to the PUENTE club but also to a whole new world of academics.

Having the support and encouragement of my counselor was very important to me pursuing an ADT. I never really saw myself in higher education or even being able to transfer to a four year, but due to my counselor and professors being so persistent and encouraging, they motivated me to transfer.

During my stay at ARC I came across many individuals that were very helpful to my success here. It has been amazing to be part of ARC and to see that there are faculty, staff and administrators that truly care for their students and the community. I mostly enjoyed the opportunity of being part of the PUENTE Project learning community as well as being part of TRiO SSS.

I feel very privileged to of been involved with these programs because I am aware that not all colleges offer programs like theses for their students to excel and remain in school.

"my goal of becoming a surgeon is no longer just a dream, but a reality within my reach." Margie Vinogradova Alumni / 2010 to 2012 / Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine / American River College

ARC's math and science department gave me a solid academic foundation that was essential to my success as a transfer student at UC Davis and as a medical student. The professors understood the rigorous curriculum that transfer students would need to be able to handle upon starting at their respective 4 year institutions. They built a curriculum that emphasized problem-solving skills that would extend beyond the courses being taught and showed genuine interest in the success of their students. ARC offered me valuable access to STEM resources including study rooms (Science building, MESA), tutoring opportunities where I was able to tutor students in both financial accounting (with professor Ardans) as well as Chemistry (with professor Wheaton), clubs to participate in (AMSA, Phi Theta Kappa), as well as access to information regarding extracurricular activities, (such as volunteer activities, internships). I can say without a doubt, that the education and mentorship I received at ARC is the reason why my dream of becoming a surgeon is now a reality within my reach.

"ARC quickly fulfilled my academic and social needs" Cindy Drasher-Weidman Alumni / 2001 to 2015 / K-12 Teacher / American River College

ARC allowed me to become the first college graduate in my family, leading me to where I am today. The benefit I received from attending ARC goes beyond academics. The personal support ARC made available to me consistently made a positive impact on my life as a student and even now as an alum. I still attend ARC for courses needed to support my endeavors in my graduate programs. I have attended quite a few other colleges and not one operates at the level ARC does in regards to ensuring all signs point to a successful outcome. I get emotional thinking about the support I received to achieve my degrees and move on the four-year, etc. Initially, accounting was my major in 2001 although I had a strong interest in nursing. After a few semesters, I decided to change to nursing.
I settled in pre-nursing for quite a few years - plugging away at all the pre-requisites. Once I had all my pre-requisites a few years later, my interests changed to the laboratory side of healthcare. Through ARC's chemistry and biology courses, I learned that I enjoyed laboratory science more than nursing. The courses required for a B.S. in laboratory science program were easily fulfilled through ARC's science department. What I like best about ARC, besides the excellent academic environment, is the staff and faculty.

"I really loved everything about ARC" Erin Price Alumni / 2009 to 2011 / Litigation Attorney, Porter Scott Law Firm / American River College

ARC made me feel like I was part of the community. I think if even I hadn't been on the [soccer] team, every professor I had at ARC was so friendly and so educated that I was constantly challenged. I was excited to go to classes and I felt supported, which is super important at a big community college like ARC. I've always been interested in government and I've always been a big reader and writer and I went into Political Science major because of Professor Collihan's class and I really loved it. When I first started at ARC I wanted to be a dentist so I was taking a lot of science classes, which I knew I didn't have a greatest passion for. It was good to realize I'm not good at everything and I really need to focus on what I was good at and figure out a way to excel in that area. Thankfully, taking that political science class with Professor Collihan opened that door for me and I realized that I loved that area and I knew I could do well in making that first step towards that goal.

"When I came to ARC, it was specifically for legal assisting." Jennifer Reily Alumni / 2016-2017 / Legal Assisting / American River College

I worked in retail management for almost 20 years at companies such as Starbucks and Chipotle. Unfortunately, I was injured at my last job and it forced me out of that industry. I knew I needed to find another career for myself so I looked into becoming a paralegal. I chose American River College because of the affordability and the timeframe in which it would take me to get my degree. I had been going to Sacramento City College on and off over the years however I never finished by degree. Due to this injury, I now had the opportunity to complete it. I chose Legal Assisting because of how many different types of jobs there are in this field: private law firms, government jobs, or companies. What I liked most about ARC is the students! I met a lot of great people in my classes from all different walks of life. Having the professors be attorneys helped me understand the profession better and not only did their real-life examples help but also their different styles of teaching helped me understand the types of attorneys I would/will encounter. The other part that was exceptionally helpful was DSPS. My injury has left me disabled and I was able to get the support/assistance I needed to be successful. My future plans is to get a job! Then to pursue my bachelor’s degree. I advise current and future students to take advantage of all the resources on campus. There are wonderful people working there that are only interested in your success, like Anita Fortman from the Counseling offices, Asha Wilkerson, the department chair, and Julia Brynelson, a professor in the major. Ask for help with whatever you are struggling with because it's a safe environment to do it.

"The people you're able to meet, the classes you're able to take – it really sets you up for a UC experience." Muzamil Ahmad Alum / Pre-Med / American River College

For Muzamil Ahmad, going to American River College meant following in his family's footsteps. Wanting to pursue a pre-med education, Ahmad applied to ARC after hearing the science education at the college was unparalleled.

"I took almost all my science courses at ARC and I really enjoyed them," Ahmad said. "I thought I got a really good education and had some of the best professors at ARC."

In addition to wonderful professors, Ahmad found a community at ARC, building friendships with fellow students following the same pre-med track that he was pursuing. He also found a home in the ARC Student Senate where he put his mind to making a difference.

"In every aspect, I had such a great time," Ahmad said. "Some of my best friends I met at ARC."

Ahmad found that serving 30,000 students while on the Student Senate was an incredibly rewarding experience, and it put his pre-med knowledge to work. One of the projects that he focused on was placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) campus-wide and working with EMTs to host basic life support training for staff.

Ahmad then transferred to UC Berkeley and once there, he was elected to a seat on the Cal student senate, which as a transfer student was very uncommon.

"What I kept hearing was, 'Oh, well, you're a transfer student – transfers don't win,'" Ahmad said. "What helped me get elected was the experience I had at ARC."

As Ahmad works with his staff on things such as meetings, planning and different projects on the Cal campus, he has found that his experience at ARC was not only rewarding but prepared him to successfully transfer and engage in his new campus community. Although it wasn't easy at first to see beyond the stigma of attending a community college, it is a decision he wouldn't change for anything.

"I would see all my friends – they went straight to 4-year universities. I'm living with my parents still," Ahmad said. "But I would do it over again the same way every single time because it's so worth it. The people you're able to meet, all the classes you're able to take. It really builds you up and sets you up for a UC experience."

"I was very proud of the AA-T degree earned at ARC, because it had been a long journey to get there" Andrea Bird Alumni / 2011 to 2014 / Staff Services Analyst / American River College

I started ARC in 2011 and took part time classes because I work full time. I graduated ARC December of 2014 and transferred to Sacramento State in the spring of 2015. I majored in Psychology, but I did obtain my first Associates from Yuba College in 2001 in Art. I earned an AA-T at American River College. My compromise between the two? I have exceeding interest in art therapy. I love ARC for its connection with students. Its resources and flexibility to help students succeed in the classroom and beyond. The various programs that supplement classroom teaching such as Writing across the Curriculum [WAC]. For English studies, Math labs and workshops give real hands on free tutorial help. Some Professors may provide credits for attendance. on-site tutoring in the Learning Resources Center on a drop in or appointment basis was great. Coffee on campus is great too. ARC has helped me prepare for 4-year College, as I was able to gain most of my undergraduate general education by utilizing the AA to transfer path. My advice to students is to take advantage of re-entry programs, disability services, or connections to multi-cultural groups and programs. Empowerment is powerful and having the resources to succeed is empowering, so dream big and go for it.

"I enjoyed everything about ARC." Cory Williams Alumni / 1996 to 1998 / E-Commerce Loss Prevention Manager, Kohl's / American River College

The expansive class schedule allowed me to work and attend school without sacrificing performance in one area over another. The counselors helped me see a path in my coursework that would be engaging and educational. ARC did a good job setting a foundation for me to succeed at the next level. I learned useful study habits and allowed me to gain insight for what worked for me in my studies.

"I am so proud to have attended ARC and I wouldn't go back and have it any other way." Lexi Mercado Alumni / 2013 to 2016 / Mom/ Retail Assistant Manager / American River College

I'm most proud of graduating from ARC and am even more proud every single time I catch myself speaking on something that I learned in one of my classes or being able to share advice given to me by one of my professors. ARC helped me learn about inclusiveness and the importance of having support to achieve your goals. Community colleges should NEVER be a fallback option, but even in some cases, someone's first choice! While I can't speak for all community colleges in the area, I can for sure speak for this college and all of the wonderful things it has to offer! For students that are like me, not knowing exactly where they want to see themselves in the future, I would say that ARC is an excellent opportunity to try new things, branch out, take a bunch of different types of classes, and see what sparks your interest! I was told once that "Community college is like a buffet" and what’s better than loading up your plate with every option they have!

"At ARC I had the opportunity to be a cabinet member and then president for American Marketing Innovations." Makena Hulme Alumni / 2014 to 2017 / Intern, Solar Cookers International / American River College

I currently have two internships that are both remote because of my impending move to Santa Cruz. One of them is an unpaid internship at Solar Cookers International that I received largely due to being the president of ARC's Model United Nations Club. I help write international policy, oral statements, input sensitive paperwork, and create marketing strategies for Solar Cookers International. The most important part of my success in ARC were the clubs. In the last two years at ARC I had the privilege of becoming a cabinet member of Model United Nations and then the president for my last year. ARC prepared me for my future by teaching me to persevere.

"If one road isn't the right road for you, try a different path." Rebecca Vail Alum / Geography / American River College

In Rebecca Vail's journey at American River College, she changed majors four times, starting off with Aerospace Engineering before moving on to Mechanical Engineering, then trying out Computer Science before realizing she wanted to study Geography.

"I originally chose ARC because I didn't have the funding to go to a university. ARC was local and affordable and my mom had gone there," Vail says. "It's a great place to get started. And now I had changed my major quite a few times while I was there. And I'm glad that I went to ARC because if I went to a university I would have wasted so much money trying to figure out what I enjoyed."

One of the things that Vail noted is that at ARC, she had the support she needed while she figured out exactly what she enjoyed learning. She found that she was able to complete her undergraduate studies through the school, and that the transfer to Sacramento State was relatively easy.

While transferring, Vail says ARC counselors were able to tell her exactly what she needed to get done.

Looking back, Vail advises current and future students that they find their own path and are open to adjusting as needed.

"If you find yourself at a roadblock and you don't think you can do it, maybe find a different route. The goal is to get through it," Vail says. "If one road isn't the right road for you, try a different path."

After graduating in May from Sacramento State with her Bachelor's degree in Geography, Vail plans to come back to ARC. She wants to take classes needed for Sac State's Master's in Biology program.

"I just really love learning," she says. "I'm hoping maybe one day I can use my education to make the world a better place. I don't know where I'll end up."

While Vail isn't sure where she'll end up, she is sure where she is going to be spending the fall semester and is excited to be coming back.

"Self-motivation is what keeps me on track at any task." Jordan Lee Alumni / 2015 to 2017 / Technician at Coach USA / American River College

I was a student at ARC in the Diesel Technology program to obtain an Associate degree. American River College's stance towards the hands-on aspect to careers is what drew me to the college, as I perform best when I can see and feel what I am working on. I was able to get a job as an entry level technician at Coach USA thanks to the Diesel Tech program's help in getting my name out and in to the hands of employers.

"At ARC you get to choose your own adventure." Ben Johnson Alumni / 2015 to 2017 / Computer Programming / American River College

One of the best things at ARC was all the resources available. I had to learn to be my own advocate and decide if playing video games or studying was the best choice. My dream is to be a coder for Google or Facebook and be part of their marketing team.

"Thanks to ARC professors, staff, curricula, and facilities I was able to unearth the scientist in me." Pablo Garcia Alumni / 2004 to 2007 / Project Geoscientist, Furgo / American River College

"ARC provided me with the fundamental tools to study, analyze and question academic subjects and ideas so that I could nurture my intellectual appetite and design my own scientific endeavors. Thanks to ARC professors, staff, curricula, and facilities I was able to unearth the scientist in me and to become engaged with the communities both around and at a larger scale."

"ARC allowed me to learn how to prioritize to become successful" Paiyuam (Pi) Asnaashari, M.D. Alumni / 2006 to 2007 / Resident Physician, UC Davis Family & Community Medicine / American River College

Without ARC, going straight to a 4-year institution would have been much more difficult for me to transition to. What I enjoyed the most at ARC was playing soccer. Prior to attending medical school my dream job was to be a professional soccer player, but kept medical school as a backup plan. My goal is to complete a Sports Medicine Fellowship.

"ARC helped me stay goal-oriented." Scott Sanders Alumni / 1997 to 1999 / Head of Enterprise Networking at Amazon and AWS in Seattle / American River College

My time spent in the ARC Student Association as a student representative helped to surround myself with goal-oriented students that not only challenged themselves to be better, but also the community and school that supported them. ARC afforded me the opportunity to jump start and craft my college experience in a small class size setting.

"I credit much of my success to the opportunities and challenges provided by ARC that built the foundation for my skill set and work ethic today" Ashly Merchant Alumni / 2006 to 2007 / Officer, California Highway Patrol / American River College

When I first started college, my major was Criminal Justice. I changed my major to general education at ARC. When I got to HNU I declare Multimedia Arts and Communications as my major. I later changed it one last time to Business Communications. I am currently an Officer for the California Highway Patrol. I graduated the academy in June 2017. After graduation, I was stationed in San Francisco. I really like the variety of classes ARC had to offer. ARC helped me succeed by providing a 4-year education level of professors at a 2-year college. I never felt as if the professors were "easy" just because it was a community college. ARC helped prepare me for my future by allowing me to play softball while getting and education. I learned to manage my time between the studying and the athletics. I advise current and future students to follow your dreams. The road is going to be tough but don't ever give up!

"ARC has prepared me for my future in many ways." Barry Frazier Alumni / 2013 to 2015 / Math Tutor / American River College

Tell a little about yourself and how you came to attend ARC.

My name is Barry Frazier and I am from Stockton, CA. American River College was a blessing in disguise. Leaving high school, I only applied to one school and did not get in. I was heartbroken and I had no backup plan. I was really lost, but my cousin went to school at ARC and thought it would be a good idea if I went too and so a week before classes started I enrolled.

When did you attend ARC?

I was a student from Fall 2013 to Spring 2015 and graduated with an AA in Language Studies. I took a year off of school to train for track to make the Oklahoma University’s track team and began OU in Fall 2016.

Why did you choose OU? Have you graduated from OU?

I embraced the challenge presented before me. New school, new city, different weather, and different people. A little bit of a culture shock, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I saw it through to the end. Barry Switzer helped influence my decision to attend OU because of name sake. (I thought I was going to be welcomed with Crimson and Cream carpet). I graduated from OU with my Bachelors in Communications in 2018.

What was your major at ARC? Is it something you always wanted to do or did you change your major?

I received my AA in Language Studies at ARC. I have always been interested in languages, and the more I learned, the more I can communicate with others. Both of my degrees have complemented each other.

Do you currently work?

I am a math tutor at Madison Elementary School in Stockton, CA. My job is to help students understand the content they struggle with the most.

How do you think ARC prepared you for your future?

ARC has prepared me for my future in many ways. The most important thing I learned is to always bet on myself, no matter how rough the circumstance may seem. In tough times, I continue to fight, continue to hope, and continue to have faith.

Please share a little about your experience with WAC and/or RAD.

My experience with RAD/WAC was awesome! Everyone was so helpful and they had a lot of faith in me to succeed. I was in WAC from 8am until whenever they closed, so I spent a lot of time in the LRC. For every paper I wrote I was able to get it reviewed over and over until I felt confident that my paper was strong. WAC/RAD challenged me to be a better student. There was constructive criticism, and I needed this in order to become a better writer. My grades for every class shot up because of it. I applied the same work ethic into other areas of my life and excelled. To simply put it, there was growth in all areas of my life.

"I was able to use the Legal Assisting Degree from ARC to start my own legal document preparation business." Angela Grijalva Alumni / 2011-2013 / Self-employed as a Legal Document Assistant, Sacramento County / American River College

I found my passion for law working on Accounts Receivable as a Bookkeeper for a local construction company. Time and time again I was in small claims court collecting on past due accounts. Maneuvering through the legal procedures while adhering to the time limitations was invigorating, so I decided to seek out a Paralegal Degree. After deciding to pursue this new career, I enrolled in American River College Legal Assisting Program. After graduation, I transferred from Heald College and DQ University. Currently I am self-employed as a Legal Document Assistant here in Sacramento County. I assist members of the public who cannot afford an attorney or cannot afford to take time off work to go to the courthouse to prepare their court documents. I do exactly what I used to do working as a Paralegal in a family law firm, except my clients provide me instructions instead of the attorney. I prepare court documents,
make copies, file the documents at the court house and serve them on parties or witness name in the action. What I liked best about ARC was the professors. There were two professors who set the foundation for my understanding of the law, Professor David W. Abbott and Professor Julie Brynelson. I did not realize the significance of this until my first semester at Lincoln Law. The legal education I obtained from ARC not only prepared me to be a Legal Assistant/Paralegal, but also put me on the pathway for a Juris Doctorate. My advice to my fellow Legal Assisting/Paralegal peers present and future is that you find your passion and pursue it with vigor. Go boldly into your future and when you fall, as we all have and will, stand up again and continue on. Do not let the struggle defeat or define you, rather let it sharpen and polish you. Hold your head up, for you are perfect. You are the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. Honor them and yourself in the living of your life to its fullest.

"ARC gave me the courage to pursue higher education." Faryal Said Alumni . / 2001 to 2005 / Student Personnel Assistant, EOPS, American River College / American River College

ARC has prepared me for the future by providing education and a professional skill set that gave me the courage to pursue higher education and to overcome life barriers including language, financial and social. I was guided by professors and counselors with patience and no judgment. As an emigrant student, I felt welcomed, respected, and supported. EOP&S was another service that contributed significantly to my success. Today I am a proud American citizen, a taxpayer, and an educator giving back to the ARC community that gave me everything unconditionally.

"I received a solid education from ARC and the professors in the science department fostered and encouraged my love of the sciences." Abby Cheng Alum / 1989 / Biology / American River College

Since Abby Cheng was 12, she knew that she wanted to become a doctor. However, her decision to become a physician changed along the way. Instead, she obtained a Ph.D. in Cell Developmental Biology and now works to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.

Cheng's interest in biology and the sciences grew, as did her interest in sports. Upon graduating from ARC in 1989, Cheng was offered a full ride volleyball scholarship to Arkansas State University (ASU), where she received a BS in Science in 1991. But her plans to apply for medical school changed after completing a research project in the laboratory with one of her ASU professors. Cheng wanted to discover new information that could contribute to curing diseases and impact many people rather than treating one person at a time as a medical doctor.

Thinking back to ARC, Cheng remembers a Physics professor in particular that helped inspire her love for science. Cheng says "I received a solid education from ARC and the professors in the science department fostered and encouraged my love of the sciences." She found her passion volunteering for Science Club for Girls (SCFG), a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase science literacy and confidence in K-12 girls from underserved communities, seeking to engage them in free science clubs and providing access to female mentors in STEM fields. In 2010, she joined the SCFG staff and worked through different capacities in the organization, eventually becoming the Director of Volunteer Programs.

Cheng now works with several colleges in the New England area, engaging students as volunteers and teaching them that volunteering can positively impact their career development. "Graduate schools and medical schools want to see that an Applicant is well-rounded. It's not just about classes or grades, but also what the individual is doing to better their community."

In 2016, based upon her collegiate athletic and professional accomplishments, Cheng was recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and awarded the Silver Anniversary Award given to former student athletes on the 25th anniversary of the end of their intercollegiate athletics eligibility.

"What I liked best about ARC was the quality of the educators and the affordability." Russell Walls Alumni / 2001- 2014 / Natural foods store supervisor/Radio DJ/Applicant for Environmental Geography graduate programs / American River College

I am a first generation college student and never thought that I was smart enough for school, but then realized that it is passion that makes the difference. You have to find what you are passionate about and then go do that. Creating a life that I do not need a vacation from has been the biggest motivating factor for me.

"The value of education is terrific at ARC." Sean McCartney Alumni / 2010 to 2013 / Food Security Coordinator, NASA Goddard Space Center / American River College

"What I like best about ARC was having access to practicing GIS professionals who teach the classes and are passionate about their work. This is a huge asset to the program. ARC helped prepare me for the future by providing technical classes in the growing and sought-after field of geospatial technology. Lastly, being able to take night classes while holding down a day job was another aspect of ARC I value greatly.

"At ARC, I found what I actually wanted to do" Ryan Finnerty Alumni / 2005 to 2008 / Screenwriter/Producer / American River College

I really enjoyed the writing classes I took and had no clue what I was going to do, but at ARC I was able to find my way, which

was wonderful. I've been writing sketches as the head writer for the Smosh brand for the past seven years. ARC helped in a real

way. I had to show up and say "I'm going to do this today."

"ARC was a great bridge between high school and university." Shirin Tabatabai Alumni / 1995 to 1999 / PG&E substation Test Supervisor / American River College

I liked the pace of the classes as well as the knowledge and interaction of the instructors. I remember Anthony Marcelli (I hope I spelled it correctly) and Sharon Olsen-Hansen as my favorite Calculus instructors. Ann Hanks and the entire physics department rubbed off their interest and excitement for physics onto me that inspired me to pursue the Electrical field of Engineering. Of course, Ms. Moreno with her statics and dynamics class showed me forces and load distribution that I still think of when I look at any structure today. I also enjoyed the mixture of students from all walks of life, age and backgrounds as I was able to learn and appreciate the differences as well as similarities of all students.

Success Stories

Student Voices

Alumni Voices