Diego Victoria, President of the Associated Students of Irvine Valley College (ASIVC) and active member of the IVC’s Honors Program, has achieved a remarkable milestone in his academic journey. Recently named one of the 60 community college recipients of the esteemed Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Diego stands out among 459 semifinalists selected from a competitive pool of over 1,700 applicants across 380 community colleges nationwide. 

Diego’s commitment to academic excellence is evident through his flawless 4.0 GPA at IVC. During his tenure as ASIVC President in 2023-2024 and as a Senator in 2022-2023, he tirelessly advocated for student rights and strived to make higher education more accessible for all. Diego's leadership extended beyond student government, as he co-founded the student success committee, aimed at providing internships, networking opportunities, and job interview preparation for college students. He also served on various college committees, including the sustainability committee, budget committee, and College Council, showcasing his dedication to fostering a supportive campus environment. 

In addition to his campus involvement, Diego has demonstrated a commitment to public service through internships with the Republican Party of Orange County, the Office of State Assemblyman Phillip Chen, and Congresswoman Young Kim. 

Diego is preparing to embark on his next chapter at Yale University, where he will pursue his undergraduate degree with the support of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This prestigious award, providing up to $55,000 annually in last-dollar funding, will enable Diego to graduate with minimal debt and access comprehensive educational advising, internship opportunities, and a network of Cooke Scholars and Alumni. He was also accepted at Berkeley, UCLA, Amherst, Rice University, UCI, and UCSD. 

In addition, Diego was one of only 20 college students named to the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa 2024 All-USA Academic Team receiving a $5,000 scholarship. He was selected from more than 2,000 students and recognized for his academic achievements, campus and community engagement, as well as his overall leadership. 

"In Diego Victoria, we see the embodiment of leadership, perseverance, and academic excellence. IVC wishes him the best of luck in his endeavors. His impact on our campus community has been profound, and I have no doubt he will continue to inspire others with his passion and dedication,” said Dr. John Hernandez, President of Irvine Valley College.

In the halls of Irvine Valley College (IVC), Kass Malcor's journey is one of exploration, determination, and advocacy. Graduating with an AA-T in History, Kass's passion for American history is not just academic but deeply personal, driven by a desire to illuminate the often-overlooked narratives of queer Americans.

Having graduated from University High School in 2018, Kass embarked on their college journey at IVC in the fall of 2019. Although the path wasn't always clear, Kass's resilience and dedication led them to discover their calling in American history. Their next step? Transferring to California State University, Long Beach to pursue a BA in History, with dreams of eventually earning a Ph.D. Their ultimate goal? To become a community college professor, sharing their passion for history and fostering inclusive learning spaces.

Kass's academic excellence goes beyond an impressive GPA. Kass has been deeply involved in extracurricular activities at IVC. As Vice President of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club, they have championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus. Their involvement in student panels, Project Specialist role with Pride Scholars, and groundbreaking presentation on queer allyship during faculty/staff Flex Week underscore their commitment to advocacy and education.

Outside of academia, Kass's passion for teaching and community service shines through their 10-year tenure as a volunteer and educator at the Orange County Bird of Prey Center. An artist and photographer, Kass's multifaceted interests enrich their academic journey, adding depth and perspective to their pursuits.

Reflecting on their time at IVC, Kass offers advice to future students: “At times school can feel incredibly isolating. It can feel like you are all alone in the world and you don't belong. But who you are adds value to space. Your perspective is uniquely your own, and what you can bring to the world is invaluable. There will always be people that make that feel hard to believe, but the other side of that coin is there are people who will make you believe in your own worth. Be one of them. For yourself and others. Who you are is important, and you have a whole world in front of you to explore. You will find your path. It may not take turns you expect, but that's what will make it a compelling story when you tell it later. This is your story, and you are capable of far more than you might believe. “

Diego Valencia, a driven and ambitious student from Irvine High School, is a Computer Science major at Irvine Valley College, with aspirations to become a software engineer and entrepreneur. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, he aspires to be a software engineer who plans to start a software services company and eventually mentor first-generation students on how to break into the tech industry.

Diego's journey at IVC has been marked by perseverance and dedication. Despite facing challenges in math throughout his academic career, Diego's commitment to success led him to utilize IVC's Math Center and put in the hard work necessary to conquer his calculus coursework, gaining the confidence needed for academic excellence.

Beyond academics, Diego's passion for music shines through as he enjoys DJing and playing the guitar in his free time. His involvement in extracurricular activities at IVC, including the EOPS program, has provided him with invaluable academic and professional development opportunities. Notably, Diego was selected to advocate for Hispanic Serving Institutions in Washington D.C., where he addressed the needs of Hispanic/Latinx students with congressional representatives and members of the president's cabinet.

The IVC Honors Program has played a pivotal role in Diego's academic journey, offering him scholarships, career-building workshops, and challenging classes that have cultivated a strong work ethic. Through the Transfer Admission Program (TAP), Diego is poised to fulfill his dream of transferring to UCLA.

Diego had this to add about his IVC experience, “Coming from the city of Guadalajara in Mexico three years ago has not been easy as I didn’t know how the higher education system worked in California. Nevertheless, with the unconditional support of my loved ones, I have persevered through the obstacles in college and proved to myself that I can find success no matter where I come from. This being said, I am a proud Jaliscience by heart and I came to Irvine representing my country in hopes of inspiring the future Mexican engineers around the world.”

Introducing Sara Fox, a tenacious and determined student at Irvine Valley College. A graduate of Parma High School in Parma, Idaho, Sara's academic pursuits have taken her through various paths, reflecting her resilience and adaptability. After initially focusing on wildlife resources in college, she answered the call to serve her country, joining the United States Air Force. Commissioned as an officer in May 2007, Sara served with distinction as an aircrew member specializing in navigation and electronic warfare aboard the RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft.

Sara's journey faced an unexpected twist when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, leading to her medical retirement after over six years of dedicated service. Undeterred by this challenge, Sara continues to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. As a disabled vet, she continued working different contracting jobs with the Air Force while starting a family and supporting her husband's continuing active-duty career. She has three children ages 10, 5, and 3 as well as two cats at home with her husband of 17 years. She is currently working full time as a Radar Technician on March Air Reserve Base with the MQ-9 Training Squadron where her husband is stationed.

Sara is pursuing degrees in both Real Estate and Accounting and is working towards her ultimate goal of obtaining a master’s in accounting from UC Irvine.

She offers this about her experiences, “I would say that having a goal and practicing good time management are important for success. Life can get busy, my household is crazy at times and for me personally juggling full-time work, full-time school, and helping raise the kids, it takes focus and flexibility to do the best you can with what you have. Take care of yourself, do your best work possible, and don't stress...things will work out.”

Meet Seira Homma, a distinguished graduate of Irvine Valley College whose academic journey was defined by her outstanding leadership and commitment to mental health advocacy. As an IVC Student Ambassador and President of the Active Minds Club, Seira demonstrated exemplary dedication to raising awareness and supporting mental health initiatives. Her involvement extended to key roles within the Associated Students of IVC, where she served as Vice President of External Affairs and Senator.

 This fall, Seira's journey continues as she pursues her passion for psychology at UCLA, with aspirations of becoming a psychologist. Her advice to future college students reflects her own resilient spirit: "Don't fear failure. Failure builds the endurance to keep going." Through her leadership, Seira has not only left a lasting impact on her college community but also inspired others to strive for excellence and persevere in the face of challenges. She is a shining example of determination, compassion, and the transformative power of education.