Santa Monica College

Congrats to SMC student Nelly Aparicio on transferring to UC Santa Barbara as a pre-psychological and brain sciences major! #ProudToBeSMC #UCSBBound #FutureGaucho I grew up in chaotic environments that never allowed me to prioritize my education. One lucky day, I visited SMC on a high school field trip. The moment I walk on campus, I knew that SMC was the peaceful environment I always needed. Soon after high school, I enrolled at SMC determined to make amends and work ha...rd to achieve my educational goals. While at SMC, I was able to thrive as a dance student and performer with SMC’s amazing Global Motion Dance Company, and as a student teacher for the SMC dance academy. While fulfilling my educational requirements, I found that my interests grew further into the realm of psychology. I realized that with proper study and research I, too, could contribute to the mental health, wellness, and peace of mind people in need. Thanks to the guidance from my counselor and the support of the Latino Center/Adelante Program, I was able to overcome my all my doubts and achieve more than I would have ever imagined. #ShoutOut: Latino Center/Adelante Program and the dance, early childhood education, and psychology departments. Thanks for helping me grow and believe in what is possible. #ProudToBeSMC #SMCDance #IamPTK #NextStopUCSB Share your transfer story at smc.edu/transferstory!

Free vaccinations available at SMC main campus' Core Performance Center courtyard on July 8: https://curative.com/sites/29817?date=2021-07-08

SMC is partnering with AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles to create a marine aquaculture certification program. "The program would be the first of its kind in California, and would provide students hands-on technical training, an introduction to the biology and ecology of the aquaculture species, and exposure to the policy and business aspects of the industry."

SMC's online celebration for this year's graduates. Congrats, Class of 2021! #ProudToBeSMC

Excited for SMC's online commencement ceremony! Watch the live stream today at 4 p.m.: www.smc.edu/graduation

Trustee Dr. Susan Aminoff with SMC graduate L’Tanique Ferrell.

Congrats to SMC student Olivia Jinhui Wang on transferring to UCLA as a statistics major! #ProudToBeSMC #UCLAbound #UCLATransfers #BruinBound I moved to LA from China after graduating high school and decided to attend SMC in Fall 2018, majoring in global studies. However, things went south faster than I thought. I realized that global studies wasn’t the right track for me. Luckily, at the same time, I met mathematics professor Alan Emerson. He is the person who saw my... hidden talent and encouraged me to pursue my academic career in mathematics. I switched my major in mathematics, and also started working as an embedded tutor for statistics, algebra, and pre-calculus. It was definitely one of the biggest leaps of faith in my life because I’ve never seen myself focusing on math before. It’s absolutely a challenge, but I’m surprised at what I’ve accomplished so far and I’m very proud of myself. My experiences at SMC made me much more confident, and I found out what I am truly passionate about. The career counseling class helped me map out my main direction academically, and also what kinds of job I could do well in." I love SMC’s counseling classes. They help A LOT. I think if I hadn’t taken them, I wouldn’t have a clear perspective on what I’m doing and which direction I’m going. #ShoutOut to all the lovely instructors that I’ve encountered, especially mathematics professors Alan Emerson, Sohail Askarian, I-Shen Lai, and Jean-Michel Maldague. Share your transfer story at smc.edu/transferstory!

Join SMC in celebrating this year's graduates! Watch the live stream tomorrow, June 25 at 4 p.m. here on Facebook or at https://www.smc.edu/graduation #ProudToBeSMC

Congrats to SMC student Darly Acosta on transferring to California State University, Los Angeles as a psychology major! #ProudToBeSMC I walked in to SMC not knowing what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I wanted to follow a path where I could help people. As a first generation student, I was scared to fail to let my loved ones down. Then in my freshman year in my Counseling 20 class, we had an assignment to meet with counselors, which was the best thing ever!! SMC c...ounselors really push you and motivate you to the fullest. They helped me discover my passion and path to my dream goal to help others. The programs they offer just a school full of opportunities. I am never going to forget that welcoming feeling SMC always gave me. It is a place that has a special place in my heart and is filled with memories. I am beyond grateful to have started in SMC and now be an SMC alumni. Because of them, I am able to say I am the first in my family to be a college graduate. Gracias, Santa Monica College!! SMC influenced my life and career by offering great courses and giving us that freedom of exploring majors. It taught me what college was like for the very first time and opened my options by having so many psychology classes!! SMC helped me get where I want to be by being my greatest supporter with my career goals and offering many great programs, such as Adelante and EOPS. By being a diverse campus and welcoming to everyone, it is definitely a special campus made for everyone and a great support system. A special #ShoutOut to my counselors Grace Santiago and Esmeralda Martinez!! Thank you for pushing me and being there through everything. Share your transfer story at smc.edu/transferstory!

Congrats to SMC student Norman Granados on transferring to California State University, Long Beach as a sociology major! #ProudToBeSMC #GoBeach The only thing that was clear to me after moving to the United States was that I wanted to continue my higher education. However, I had no idea where to go, or what to study. Fortunately, I found SMC and decided to sign up. After trying different classes, and many visits to the counselors, I finally decided to study sociology. Desp...ite the difficulties I faced as an international student, I managed to graduate with high honors and with two AA degrees. Nevertheless, I couldn't have done it without the support of my parents, and my SMC counselors. Norman was also part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. During my time at SMC, I visited the counselors many, many times. After seeing the work they do, and the great support they provide to the students, they inspired me to pursue a career as a counselor. I can confidently say that thanks to the counseling and tutoring resources (among many others) available at SMC, I was able to reach my goal of transferring to a university. SMC also helped me to believe in myself, and to realize that I am capable of more than I think. #ShoutOut: I would like to thank Welcome Center counselor Tara McCarthy and Adelante counselor Patti Del Valle for guiding me and supporting me during my time at SMC. Share your transfer story at smc.edu/transferstory!

Congrats to SMC student Kayla Gray on transferring to California State University, Dominguez Hills as a child development major! #ProudToBeSMC #NewToro #ToroPride While at SMC, I had a lot of time to discover myself and my passions. I went to SMC honestly unsure of what I wanted to pursue in my life. I went from cosmetology to journalism to honestly nothing and just going through the motions of working on my GEs. After a year, I realized my love for children and teaching,... so I joined SMC’s amazing Early Childhood Education program! I learned so much about myself and my future career through this entire journey and that’s all thanks to SMC! SMC has prepared me and formed me into the soon to be daycare administrator I’m working towards becoming! SMC influenced my life by showing me to follow my dreams and passions and to keep going, and when I’m down, I have to get right back up and continue! SMC helped me to get to transferring to my dream college by keeping up with me and making sure I was on track with my courses! Counselors and professors were continually active through the years making sure I took every class I needed to, I was doing well in my class, and helping me with whatever I needed! SMC just made me feel supported as a whole, and that is why I’m even where I am now! Kayla was also part of Black Collegians. I want to #ShoutOut education/early childhood education professor Cathi Miller! She’s such a loving, amazing, and pure spirit I will truly miss her positive energy and great classes! Share your transfer story at smc.edu/transferstory!