Luis Barbosa, a dedicated student at Irvine Valley College (IVC), is pursuing his passion for Speech Language Pathology. After graduating from Segerstrom High School, Luis's journey toward becoming a Speech Language Pathologist has been marked by determination and excellence. 

Having been accepted to prestigious institutions including San Diego State University, UCI, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, and UCLA, Luis is inclined towards UCLA for his further education and will soon decide. His ultimate aspiration is to utilize his bilingualism to provide speech therapy to children, aiming to make a significant impact in their lives. 

Luis's commitment to his career path is evident through his various achievements and involvements. He has served as a Behavior Technician, gaining invaluable experience in understanding behavioral dynamics. Additionally, his volunteer work at Speech Therapy clinics demonstrates his dedication to his field. 

At IVC, Luis is actively involved in extracurricular activities, holding leadership positions in organizations such as the National Society of Leadership & Success and the Latinx Student Association. He is also a member of Psi Beta Psychology Honor Society and the Honors Program, showcasing his academic excellence and commitment to community involvement. 

Luis offers this advice to future students, “Your only competition is you. The only thing you can control is you, so do not waste too much energy on things out of your control. If you are unsure of what is next, that is perfectly fine because being lost brings curiosity and new opportunities, and that is a beautiful thing. No does not always mean no, many of the times it just means not yet.”

Yanzhen Zhang's journey at Irvine Valley College (IVC) is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of lifelong learning. Hailing from Shantou Preschool Education Normal School in Guangdong, Yanzhen's decision to pursue Computer Science at IVC was driven by a deep-seated motivation to apply her newfound knowledge to quantitative psychology research.

Yanzhen embarked on this academic journey with unwavering commitment. Inspired by her son's admission to UCI, she decided to re-enter education, setting ambitious goals for herself. She faced the challenge head-on, now she is preparing to enroll in the UCI Data Science program and learn more about Data Science. She is looking to create a learning system in data analysis and interpretation of results in psychological research.

Yanzhen's journey was not without its challenges, but with a growth mindset and a supportive community at IVC, she thrived. Participating in programs like the Adult Re-Entry Scholars Program and the Transfer Center provided her with invaluable resources and guidance to navigate her academic journey effectively.

Her advice to new students is, “It is never too late to learn new things as long as we take action.”

At Irvine Valley College (IVC), Woraporn Sae-Hia is an enterprising international student charting her path toward a future in business. Hailing from Thailand, Woraporn's journey towards academic and professional excellence began at Darunsikkhalai, where she specialized in Engineering Science.

With a steadfast focus on her academic pursuits, Woraporn has set her sights on UC Irvine for her four-year institution plans. Her ambition to become an entrepreneur drives her forward, fueled by a desire to innovate and create positive change in the business world.

Woraporn's dedication to her goals is underscored by her numerous distinctions and achievements. As a member of the Honors Student Council, she played a pivotal role in organizing events that raised over $800 for scholarships. Her participation in the Bay Honors Research Symposium and her role as a student representative at Diversity Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Day showcases her commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity.

She is deeply involved in extracurricular activities, serving as the Vice President of the College Leap Club and as a board member of Equitable Learning Experience Valuing Achievement, Transfer, and Empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (ELEVATE AAPI). Her engagement extends to academic projects, such as her contribution to the Financial Statements project for Accounting 1bh.

Woraporn offers this advice to future students: “Opportunities are everywhere, you just need to seek it. Always look out for advice and help, foster friendship and community as you go.”