Toby Cole, a dedicated Human Development major at Irvine Valley College, has left a powerful imprint on the IVC community through their commitment to social impact, creative expression, and student support. A proud graduate of Northwood High School in Irvine, Toby chose to major in Family and Human Services with a focus on Disability Studies, driven by a deep desire to support and uplift others—particularly children navigating medical and emotional challenges.

This fall, Toby will transfer to the University of Oregon to continue their studies in Family and Human Services, with plans to pursue a master’s degree and become a child life specialist at a children’s hospital. Their long-term vision is rooted in empathy and a belief in the transformative power of care and advocacy.

Toby’s time at IVC has been defined by academic achievement, leadership, and creative engagement. They served as one of only five students selected to be PUENTE Student Ambassadors for 2024–25, worked as a tutor in the Writing Center, and actively participated in PRIDE Scholars, the Latinx Student Association, and IVC’s vibrant creative writing community. 

As a poet, Toby was chosen for a prestigious paid workshop with poet Sandra de Anda, sponsored by CHISPA OC—a community organization dedicated to Latinx voices and visibility. Toby also earned scholarships from both the IVC Foundation and the University of Oregon.

Their advice for future students is as heartfelt as it is empowering: “Don’t lose yourself in order to make yourself seem more palatable to other people. Allow yourself to feel. Allow yourself breaks. If something isn’t sustainable for you in the long term, think about what is. What change can you make to make things more manageable? My biggest advice is to rethink how you see education. How wonderful it is for you to even be here! You wanting to learn is your biggest strength. Don’t forget that curiosity and drive for learning. Sometimes you will feel discouraged or feel like the person you are is not compatible with higher education. I need every future student to know that they do belong! There are so many people just like you in higher education classrooms across the country and across the world. Maybe you haven’t seen people like you, or who share interests with you, but trust me, they are there. Stand out! Be rambunctious! Be visible and loud in what you’re passionate about. Because someone, somewhere, is looking for you. You’re exactly where you need to be.” 

For Ariana Moolchandani, the path to political science wasn’t just about studying systems—it was about understanding how to create change within them. As a first-generation college student and a natural leader, Ariana arrived at Irvine Valley College (IVC) with big questions about the world—and quickly found the community and resources she needed to begin answering them.

“IVC was the perfect place to explore my interests and grow my confidence,” says Ariana, who is majoring in Political Science and transferring to UCLA in Fall 2025. “I learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to ask the right questions, connect with others, and take that first step.”

Ariana made her mark at IVC through a deep commitment to campus leadership and academic excellence. She served as a Student Ambassador, consistently earned Dean’s List honors, and joined prestigious organizations like Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She was also part of the IVC Honors Program, where she deepened her critical thinking and research skills.

But it was Ariana’s extracurricular involvement that truly helped her discover her purpose. She co-founded and co-led the Global Perspectives Club, creating a space for students to discuss pressing international issues. As Marketing Director for the Business Leaders Society, she helped connect her peers to networking events and professional opportunities. “Getting involved was transformative,” she explains. “It pushed me outside my comfort zone and allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined.”

Ariana’s next step is UCLA, where she plans to dive deeper into global systems, legal studies, and policymaking. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in international relations or corporate law—fields where she can work across borders, solve complex problems, and advocate for meaningful change in both the public and private sectors.

Her advice to future students is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to take initiative and put yourself out there. Some of the best opportunities come from saying yes before you feel fully ready. Even one step outside your comfort zone can open doors you didn’t expect.” With her curiosity, drive, and commitment to global understanding, Ariana Moolchandani is already building a more connected and just world—and she’s only just getting started.

For Arsalan Zafarmand, studying biology at Irvine Valley College (IVC) was never just about mastering molecules and systems—it was about honoring a life-saving legacy. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Arsalan lost his mother in a tragic car accident before he was born. Miraculously, he survived thanks to the skill and compassion of the medical professionals who cared for him. Their dedication planted a powerful seed in Arsalan: the desire to help others through healing.

After graduating from the prestigious Allameh Tabatabei High School in Tehran with a diploma in Physics and Mathematics and a stellar GPA, Arsalan brought his academic drive to the United States in 2021. As a first-generation college student, he enrolled at IVC in 2022 with a laser focus on becoming a dentist, and eventually, an orthodontist. His course load has been intense—spanning Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Math, and Physics—and his GPA remains a perfect 4.0. Arsalan has also been the top student in nearly every class he’s taken, a result he attributes to sacrifice, discipline, and relentless self-belief.

His accomplishments at IVC are as impressive as they are inspiring. He’s earned multiple scholarships, including the Regini and Mohan Kulkarni Endowed Scholarship and the Assistance League of Irvine Endowed Scholarship, and he received the IVC Supportive Services Certificate of Recognition twice. Arsalan also served his peers as a tutor, assisting in general Chemistry courses and making a meaningful impact on student learning alongside Professor Thomas Cullen.

Beyond the classroom, Arsalan actively participated in the Persian Group, where he stepped into leadership roles, helping organize projects, and honing his communication and conflict-resolution skills. These experiences, he says, prepared him not just for a future career in dentistry, but for a life of service and empathy.

Arsalan has received acceptance letters from UC Irvine and UC Davis—two of the top public universities in the country for biology majors. He’s already preparing for life’s next chapter: volunteering in dental offices, shadowing professionals, and studying for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). He hopes to transition smoothly into university life this fall by continuing his academic momentum all the way to dental school and eventually a specialty in orthodontics.

He adds, his goal is to give people beautiful smiles by aligning and straightening their teeth. Arsalan further shares, "But more than that, I want to ease people’s pain and improve their quality of life—just as those doctors did for me before I ever opened my eyes."