VC Alumni Quotes

What an incredible opportunity Ventura College has given this community; the opportunity to learn and grow virtually free through Ventura College. Ventura College has opened doors for everyone who has walked down its halls for generations.

Ventura College was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as it offered me numerous great opportunities. I was able to transfer and was accepted into all four schools I applied to. I will be transferring to CSULB in Fall 2025, where I got accepted into their Social Work program. I plan to continue my undergraduate studies and pursue higher education with the goal of earning my master’s degree and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Ventura College has been a constant throughout my life. I grew up across the street from Ventura College and would spend weekends at the Marketplace, summers at Ned Mircetic's basketball camp, and later years having VCCCD police chase me off campus for skating. During college, VC served as a sanctuary when I needed to find my footing again after my attempt at a four-year university went off the rails, and my instructors deepened my interest in studying psychology. And now, it's where I've built a career and discovered a community that feels like family. VC chose me when I was a hot mess, kept me when I got my act together, and I'm forever grateful for the role that Ventura College has played in my life.

Andrew Nelson

Ventura College Mental Health Therapist/Clinical Supervisor - Student Health Center

My plans are to continue my education and one day become a Ventura County Sheriff Deputy to help serve and protect our community.

Attending Ventura College as a first-generation student was truly one of the best decisions I ever made. I had the privilege of being a student-athlete, playing on the intercollegiate soccer team under the guidance of Coach Stephen Hoffman, “Hoffy.” Choosing my local community college gave me the opportunity to explore different majors before transferring to CSUCI. A few years later, life came full circle when I returned to Ventura College as an employee. I now have the privilege of giving back to the same community that once supported me. In my current role, I help students begin their journey at VC, and I love sharing my own experiences to show them why Ventura College is such a valuable option. I am a proud alumni of Ventura College!

The guidance I received at Ventura College as a first-generation Latina student was truly life-changing. At 17, I walked onto campus feeling intimidated by the world of higher education—uncertain and overwhelmed. That changed the day I stepped into Dr. Marian Carrasco Nungaray’s office. She broke down language and cultural barriers, helped me find my confidence, and nurtured a love for learning I didn’t know I had.

With her support, I transferred to UC Santa Barbara, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, and later completed a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University.

It is a privilege and an honor to return to Ventura College—the place where my educational journey began—and to now serve our students and community.

Marisol Median Hernandez, Class of 2004 

Ventura College Counseling Services Specialist

I will be attending a university in California to continue my journey in political science & law to follow my goals of becoming an immigration lawyer. Thank you for all your help getting me to graduation day.

Ventura College is where it can all begin. Whether transferring to a university or entering the workforce, it provides the foundation for success. For me, it was the right choice at a critical stage of early adulthood. My experience at Ventura College not only shaped my career but also inspired my commitment to serve in the community college system.

Josepha Baca, Dean of Student Learning, Moorpark College

I first attended Ventura College in 2004 and had my first class in the SCI building. In the summer of 2006 I learned how to swim at the VC swimming pool. In 2007 I took Archaeology and graduated from Oxnard College with my AA. It was not until 2021 that I would come back to finish my academic dreams. COVID 19 changed the way we learned and attended VC, this was very difficult journey for me, with being homeless and starting my life over, but I still had a dream to come back and finish.

As I slowly reclaimed my life small miracles started to happen. Ventura College gave me the power to set my dreams and not only have them in reach but placed in my hand with programs like EAC, Basic Needs, the Tutoring Center and more. The activities that were provided made me feel included, safe, and empowered. Ventura College was a major impact in my life and has influenced me to be a better student and person. VC opened a door and lit the path for me so that I can see my future and make it real. I put in the hard work but so did Ventura College. My wins are Ventura Colleges wins also. Thank you Ventura College!

Sincerely, Mark Kevin Vergara, class of 2025

The resources that were provided for me at VC made a big impact on my life. I plan to continue to study to become a veterinarian. 

I came to Ventura College as a life-long-learner. I was already a college grad but was new to the area and wanted to meet some people and take some classes to keep me busy. I took art, ceramics, volleyball and swimming for conditioning. It was at the VC pool that I connected with a huge group of people that would become lifelong friends. AND, I met my husband at the pool too. I often imagine the trajectory of my life had I not come to VC! 

Now, many years later, I work at Ventura College in the Marketing Department and I get to see how we change peoples lives everyday. I'm proud to be part of a community that not only supports student success, but inspires them to dream bigger and believe in what’s possible.

I just want to say how grateful I am to Ventura College. Without my years here, my life would have been very different—Focus on the Masters might never have evolved. I took every single class I could in the art department and learned so many different techniques, which was invaluable when it came to documenting artists. From there, I was able to transfer to Brooks Institute, become a faculty member, and later earn my graduate degree at USC. None of that would have happened without Ventura College. I will always be deeply grateful.