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.”