Isaac Gutierrez found his passion for finance through a deeply personal lens—witnessing the impact of financial illiteracy within his own community. Determined to change that, he chose to study Business Administration with a concentration in Finance to help democratize access to financial knowledge and empower others. 

“I want to learn as much as I can about the world of finance so I can help bridge the gap in financial literacy, especially for underserved communities,” he shared.

During his time at Irvine Valley College (IVC), Isaac stood out as a driven and mission-focused student leader. He served as Co-President of the Economics Club, a board member of the Financial Finesse Club, and an active participant in the Honors Program and Student Ambassador team. He co-founded the Research Opportunity Program of Economics (ROPE), which gives students the chance to conduct and present economic research—often in collaboration with professors from four-year universities.

While working multiple jobs to support himself, Isaac interned at SmartSuite, a startup with $38 million in funding, and also earned a Big 4 accounting internship offer from Ernst & Young (EY). This fall, he will transfer to the University of California, Berkeley, where he’ll study at the prestigious Haas School of Business.

Isaac’s ultimate goal is to work in venture capital—helping to fund bold ideas, guide startups, and drive innovation. If not venture capital, he envisions a career in financial strategy and operations.

His advice for future students? “Take initiative and put yourself out there in every way possible—no matter how big or small the opportunity may seem. Don’t let rejection discourage you. Rejection teaches you more than never trying at all.”

Jeslyn Do has always been fascinated by the way people interact with technology. At Irvine Valley College (IVC), she found the perfect space to explore that intersection through her studies in Cognitive Science and Informatics. 

“In a world of constant innovation,” she said, “digital services are only truly successful when they’re intuitive, user-centered, and solve real human problems.” Jeslyn’s passion lies in designing technology that’s both personalized and accessible—bridging human behavior with smart, ethical design.

Jeslyn made the most of her time at IVC through leadership, innovation, and academic excellence. She served as a Student Ambassador, representing the college at major events like the Irvine Global Village Festival and IVC’s Celebrating Excellence Gala. As Marketing Director of the IVC Business Leaders Society, she created promotional content, organized speaker panels, and led skill-building workshops for her peers. Jeslyn also competed in IVC’s LaserHacks hackathon, where she contributed front-end development and interface design to her team’s project.

Academically, Jeslyn excelled. She’s been named to the Dean’s List every semester since Fall 2023, was a nominee and finalist for the Orange County Register’s Artist of the Year in Media Arts and received multiple IVC Foundation Scholarships. As a TAP-Certified Honors Student, she earned admission into UCI’s School of Information and Computer Sciences and Honors Collegium through the Honors to Honors Program—and is currently deciding between transferring to UCLA or UCSD to continue her studies in Cognitive Science with a minor in Data Science and Engineering. A master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction is also part of her long-term plan.

Jeslyn’s career interests span front-end development, UX/UI design, AI and machine learning, product design, and project management. She has already taken steps toward that future through internships in UI/UX Design (Road2) and Marketing AI (HubSpot x CCC), and even completed a summer program at USC focused on AI and semiconductor chip technology.

Her advice to future students? “Your own doubts should never limit what you’re capable of achieving.” Jeslyn shared that she often felt underqualified when applying for roles and programs—but IVC taught her to try anyway. “Every experience outside your comfort zone contributes to growth—in confidence, in academics, and in life.”

Driven by a passion for international affairs and a deep curiosity about global political systems, Saif Siddiqui found his academic home at Irvine Valley College (IVC), where he majored in Political Science with a focus on International Relations. 

“Understanding the structures that shape our world is the first step toward creating meaningful change,” Saif said. His long-term goal is to influence global strategy and policy through a career that bridges business, law, and international relations.

At IVC, Saif embraced every opportunity to grow as a leader, scholar, and global thinker. He founded the Global Perspectives Club, creating a platform for students to engage in thoughtful dialogue about world events and cultural exchange. As a Student Ambassador, Saif represented IVC at key panels and conferences that promoted higher education across Orange County. He also played an active role in student government and contributed to the campus newsletter, helping to keep the student body informed and connected.

Saif’s academic achievements are equally impressive. He earned three associate degrees, was nominated for the Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), and Honors to Honors Program, and completed the IVC Leadership Academy—each milestone reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and leadership development. As an Honors Program student, he undertook advanced research projects that sharpened his critical thinking and analytical skills.

Looking ahead, Saif plans to transfer to a top four-year university where he’ll continue to explore campus leadership roles, join student organizations, and gain hands-on experience through on-campus employment. A master’s degree is part of his vision, with the goal of working in strategy consulting and shaping global business decisions through an informed, interdisciplinary lens.

His advice for future students? “Take full advantage of the resources around you—academic support, campus events, networking opportunities. And don’t be afraid to change course if your goals evolve. Success often comes from being adaptable, open-minded, and willing to grow through unexpected experiences.”

With a deep commitment to social justice and a passion for understanding legality through the lens of cultural development, Varsha Torpunuri found her calling in the study of Anthropology. At Irvine Valley College (IVC), she combined her major with a Paralegal Certificate and a Pre-Law track to build a powerful foundation for a future in human rights and Indigenous law. 

“Studying people and systems together gave me the clarity I needed,” Varsha said. “It helped me understand that real change comes from legal advocacy grounded in cultural understanding.” 

Varsha’s journey at IVC is defined by leadership, scholarship, and impact. As Vice President of External Affairs in student government, she led initiatives such as IVC’s first-ever Local Candidate Town Hall and the launch of the Anti-Discrimination Pledge—earning both the Justice of the Year and Executive of the Year awards for her efforts. She also co-founded and served as Vice President of IVC’s Mock Trial Team, representing the college at the nationwide American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Community College Clash.

A strong academic achiever, Varsha has made the Dean’s List every semester and was awarded the Honors Transfer Council of California’s Exemplary Achievement Award. As part of the Honors Program Student Council, she served as a peer mentor and presented original research on intellectual property law at the Bay Honors Symposium at UC Berkeley.

Beyond the classroom, Varsha interned at Community Legal Aid SoCal, providing legal support for underserved populations, and completed a political organizing internship. She also represented IVC as a Student Ambassador, helping build community and inspire future students. 

This fall, Varsha will transfer to UC Berkeley, having also been accepted to UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and the UCI Honors College. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend law school and continue pursuing her mission to protect and advocate for vulnerable communities.

She leaves future students with this advice: “Trust yourself and stay open to growth. Everyone starts somewhere, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. IVC gave me the space and support to explore, reflect, and grow—and it will for you too. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Your time here will go by quickly, so take every opportunity to make it your own.”