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"I was a Student Equity Advocate my last semester at FLC, it was an amazing experience and I felt welcomed by my peers and I made a lot of friends that I think I’ll have for a long time." Micaela Stafford Student / Student Equity Advocate / Folsom Lake College

Micaela always thought school was difficult. She would sometimes get anxious about taking tests and would shut down rather than take on what she considered an overwhelming experience — making it through school.

Like many of her high school peers living in Elk Grove, Micaela moved along after graduation to Cosumnes River College. It seemed like the logical next step for a young woman who grew up with high expectations, but who did not see herself as a student, and considered a degree only a mirage on a distant horizon.

Those first few semesters of community college felt like an extension of high school and an extension of the anxiety Micaela use to face there. But then she made a significant discovery about herself and took advantage of an important opportunity that only Los Rios Community College District could offer her.

Micaela transferred to Folsom Lake College, a Los Rios campus with a smaller population located in a serene setting. It was there she was able to make a plan, and with the help of an attentive counselor and life lessons in time management, Micaela began to see herself differently. Her parents always told her she could do anything, and now she believed it too.

Micaela became adamant about going to class, turning assignments in on time, and getting involved on campus. She spent a lot of time in the tutoring center getting help with science and math, and a lot of time helping others as a Student Equity Advocate.

Micaela is now on her way to the University of San Francisco, transferring there as a junior, where the sky is the limit and advanced degrees are now part of the conversation. Her tenacity to stay in the ring and keep trying is a story those who struggle should hear, and a tribute to a community college system that can give students the help they need to achieve.

"FLC was the right choice; with quality guidance from wonderful professors the opportunities for my future began to open up." Jason Ward Student / Psychology for Transfer / EDC Student Activities Club / Folsom Lake College

Jason Ward, an amateur psychologist who always wondered why people do what they do, wanted to broaden his small-town view of things. So, he became a student at Folsom Lake College. And through his participation in several on-campus clubs and social events, Jason was offered an opportunity to study abroad via the Los Rios Study Abroad program.

As he toured the sights and observed the people in Rome and Florence, Italy, his worldview changed. " The most important lesson I learned from studying abroad, is that life is full of opportunities. Opportunities can be easily overlooked and then they pass. It would have been easier to stay in the comfort of my home in Placerville. But then I would not have walked the streets of the Renaissance, not seen The David, not made new friends and not experienced life in a foreign country," Jason shares.

Back home with world travel tucked under his belt, Jason was excited by opportunities that stretched ahead and where his college education could take him. He had a plan.

Jason believes that his degree from FLC in psychology will give him an edge when it comes to getting into UCLA, law school, and his desire to practice criminal law. He says the supportive staff, faculty, and student-led clubs he discovered at FLC, “a community hidden gem,” has given him the tools he needs to make big leaps in his education and career.

Jason advises that community college is a great place for someone who wants to explore everything the world has to offer. Community college is the perfect place to start, Jason says, it’s easy to get the classes you need, has a relaxing atmosphere, and is just a stop along the way to your bigger career ambitions.

"I've found a home at the Veterans Success Center, a place where I feel I belong." Jeff Landay Student / Communication Studies / Veteran / Folsom Lake College

For the first assignment in his public speaking class in fall 2016, 30-year-old Jeff Landay was instructed to introduce himself to his Folsom Lake College (FLC) classmates via a three-minute presentation. He began by showing a startling photo of himself taken in 2006 as a patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital. To him, this one snapshot encapsulated what he had endured and would also serve to motivate him for what was to come.

Following a tumultuous childhood, Jeff enlisted in the United States Marine Corps immediately upon graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 2004. In January 2006, his Camp Pendleton-based 3/5 unit (3rd Battalion, 5th Marines) was deployed half a world away to Fallujah, Iraq. During a routine patrol on May 21, 2006, the humvee he was traveling in struck a roadside bomb that left one member of his platoon dead and seriously wounded three others. Jeff was barely alive, but somehow summoned the strength to drive the battered vehicle out of harm’s way. "They all thought that was Jeff's last act, to get that truck back to safety to get his comrades out," his mother, Michelle Landay, said.

Marine Cpl. Jeff Landay was transported to a hospital in Baghdad, then to Germany, and eventually back to the States. Jeff was in a coma for nearly a month having suffered a traumatic brain injury in which they had to remove the left side of his skull to alleviate the swelling. “By every account, I should have died. Technically, I was clinically dead three times,” Jeff recalls.

Upon his hospital release and at the age of 19, Jeff returned to Citrus Heights and faced a long recovery that included relearning to speak, struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the physical and emotional toll of a cumulative 52 surgeries to repair his injuries. Jeff’s harrowing life-and-death story was featured in the 2007 documentary, To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports, and in a segment on ABC World News. The battle scars on his body became his badges of pride alongside the three Purple Hearts he had been awarded for his service to his country.

It was also during this time that Jeff began taking classes at Folsom Lake College using education benefits provided by the G.I. Bill and with additional support from the college’s Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department. He appreciated that the structure and self-discipline that had originally been ingrained in him as a Marine also fit well with that of academia. Jeff quickly endeared himself to students and staff with his combination of brutal honesty and unbeatable optimism.

The natural class clown also found comradery and compassion from other student veterans that frequented FLC’s Veterans Success Center. He enjoyed helping the “kids,” as he refers to them, most only several years his junior, with their coursework. “Jeff has inspired many veterans and non-veterans here at FLC. His ability to look beyond his injuries and stay focused on the future inspires everyone he comes into contact with…including myself!” shared Veterans Success Center staff member and fellow veteran Ken Walker. “When students get overwhelmed, they can always think about how Jeff has the same commitments and does not give up or even skip a beat. He inspires others to stay in the fight and press on!”

It was also at FLC in that same communications course where he was tasked to tell his story that he discovered he had a knack for public speaking. After receiving an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social & Behavioral Sciences in December 2015, he returned to FLC to earn a second degree in Communication Studies. He plans to transfer to Sacramento State and pursue a career as a motivational speaker to hopefully inspire veterans and civilians alike. “We all have struggles,” notes Jeff.

It was that first public speaking engagement that gave him the confidence to share his inspiring story with others. When asked who would play him if his story one day gets the Hollywood treatment, Jeff said with a laugh, “Ryan Reynolds, because it would have to be someone pretty.”

"Taking classes at FLC changed how I was able to take classes at the university." Alyssa Seeley Alum / Advanced Education / Biology and Pre-Med / Folsom Lake College

Alyssa Seeley graduated in spring 2022 with her high school diploma from Ponderosa High School and also with two associate degrees in Math and Science and Social and Behavioral Sciences from Folsom Lake College and a step ahead of the other freshmen at the University of Nevada, Reno before even taking her first class there.

She had initially started taking college classes for fun but soon began to realize the educational opportunities available to her.

"In the beginning, I saw taking classes at Folsom Lake College as a fun thing – I really enjoyed it," Seeley said. "After I found out that I could graduate with the classes I was taking, it motivated me to graduate early and try and get more things done quickly."

As Seeley is studying a competitive field – Biology and pre-med, working toward becoming a neurologist – being able to take FLC classes online while still in high school through the college's Advanced Education program has helped her significantly in staying on top of her goals.

"It changed how I was able to take classes at the university," she says. "I can choose different classes due to the ones I've already previously taken at FLC. I can take more junior-level classes instead of freshman classes."

It was challenging balancing two online college courses, along with her regular high school work and extracurriculars, but she made it work. She remembers, at one point, having a conflicting schedule – rehearsals for a play and a Spanish class at the same time – but she communicated with the director and her professor to come up with an alternative plan so she could meet both obligations.

Through it all, Seeley has maintained her sense of humor. She recalls posting a photo on Snapchat and immediately getting bombarded with questions from friends about what she was doing.

Seeley's reply?

"You're telling me you don't take trigonometry over the summer?"

"Taking classes at FLC changed how I was able to take classes at the university." Alyssa Seeley Alum / Advanced Education / Biology and Pre-Med / Folsom Lake College

Alyssa Seeley graduated in spring 2022 with her high school diploma from Ponderosa High School and also with two associate degrees in Math and Science and Social and Behavioral Sciences from Folsom Lake College and a step ahead of the other freshmen at the University of Nevada, Reno before even taking her first class there.

She had initially started taking college classes for fun but soon began to realize the educational opportunities available to her.

"In the beginning, I saw taking classes at Folsom Lake College as a fun thing – I really enjoyed it," Seeley said. "After I found out that I could graduate with the classes I was taking, it motivated me to graduate early and try and get more things done quickly."

As Seeley is studying a competitive field – Biology and pre-med, working toward becoming a neurologist – being able to take FLC classes online while still in high school through the college's Advanced Education program has helped her significantly in staying on top of her goals.

"It changed how I was able to take classes at the university," she says. "I can choose different classes due to the ones I've already previously taken at FLC. I can take more junior-level classes instead of freshman classes."

It was challenging balancing two online college courses, along with her regular high school work and extracurriculars, but she made it work. She remembers, at one point, having a conflicting schedule – rehearsals for a play and a Spanish class at the same time – but she communicated with the director and her professor to come up with an alternative plan so she could meet both obligations.

Through it all, Seeley has maintained her sense of humor. She recalls posting a photo on Snapchat and immediately getting bombarded with questions from friends about what she was doing.

Seeley's reply?

"You're telling me you don't take trigonometry over the summer?"

"I've found a home at the Veterans Success Center, a place where I feel I belong." Jeff Landay Student / Communication Studies / Veteran / Folsom Lake College

For the first assignment in his public speaking class in fall 2016, 30-year-old Jeff Landay was instructed to introduce himself to his Folsom Lake College (FLC) classmates via a three-minute presentation. He began by showing a startling photo of himself taken in 2006 as a patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital. To him, this one snapshot encapsulated what he had endured and would also serve to motivate him for what was to come.

Following a tumultuous childhood, Jeff enlisted in the United States Marine Corps immediately upon graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 2004. In January 2006, his Camp Pendleton-based 3/5 unit (3rd Battalion, 5th Marines) was deployed half a world away to Fallujah, Iraq. During a routine patrol on May 21, 2006, the humvee he was traveling in struck a roadside bomb that left one member of his platoon dead and seriously wounded three others. Jeff was barely alive, but somehow summoned the strength to drive the battered vehicle out of harm’s way. "They all thought that was Jeff's last act, to get that truck back to safety to get his comrades out," his mother, Michelle Landay, said.

Marine Cpl. Jeff Landay was transported to a hospital in Baghdad, then to Germany, and eventually back to the States. Jeff was in a coma for nearly a month having suffered a traumatic brain injury in which they had to remove the left side of his skull to alleviate the swelling. “By every account, I should have died. Technically, I was clinically dead three times,” Jeff recalls.

Upon his hospital release and at the age of 19, Jeff returned to Citrus Heights and faced a long recovery that included relearning to speak, struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the physical and emotional toll of a cumulative 52 surgeries to repair his injuries. Jeff’s harrowing life-and-death story was featured in the 2007 documentary, To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports, and in a segment on ABC World News. The battle scars on his body became his badges of pride alongside the three Purple Hearts he had been awarded for his service to his country.

It was also during this time that Jeff began taking classes at Folsom Lake College using education benefits provided by the G.I. Bill and with additional support from the college’s Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department. He appreciated that the structure and self-discipline that had originally been ingrained in him as a Marine also fit well with that of academia. Jeff quickly endeared himself to students and staff with his combination of brutal honesty and unbeatable optimism.

The natural class clown also found comradery and compassion from other student veterans that frequented FLC’s Veterans Success Center. He enjoyed helping the “kids,” as he refers to them, most only several years his junior, with their coursework. “Jeff has inspired many veterans and non-veterans here at FLC. His ability to look beyond his injuries and stay focused on the future inspires everyone he comes into contact with…including myself!” shared Veterans Success Center staff member and fellow veteran Ken Walker. “When students get overwhelmed, they can always think about how Jeff has the same commitments and does not give up or even skip a beat. He inspires others to stay in the fight and press on!”

It was also at FLC in that same communications course where he was tasked to tell his story that he discovered he had a knack for public speaking. After receiving an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social & Behavioral Sciences in December 2015, he returned to FLC to earn a second degree in Communication Studies. He plans to transfer to Sacramento State and pursue a career as a motivational speaker to hopefully inspire veterans and civilians alike. “We all have struggles,” notes Jeff.

It was that first public speaking engagement that gave him the confidence to share his inspiring story with others. When asked who would play him if his story one day gets the Hollywood treatment, Jeff said with a laugh, “Ryan Reynolds, because it would have to be someone pretty.”

"I'm on my way to fulfilling my life's mission with all the classes I need to succeed." Guelta Laguerre Alum / 2018 / International Student / Folsom Lake College

Folsom Lake College is more than tests, textbooks, and juggling schedules. Just ask Guelta Laguerre. Guelta traveled to California from her home country Haiti to study, and what a journey she is on.

Back home, Guelta attended a Mission of Hope school. The school relies on the generosity of sponsors who want to do their part for the children of a nation that suffers from severe illiteracy due to malnutrition and poverty. Only 50 percent of Haitian children ever attend school in the country that Guelta refers to as destitute.

The school’s sponsorship program is quite personal. Through photos and letters, each sponsor connects with an individual child. And that was the case for Guelta. What makes her story different is her devotion to her faith, her vow to get an education, and the tenacity of Guelta’s sponsor, a Rancho Cordova resident.

When Guelta graduated from Mission of Hope in 2012 and moved on, her sponsor didn’t. She kept wondering about her young student, and even traveled to Guelta’s Haitian village to search for her. With Guelta’s picture in hand, the traveling sponsor went up to villager after villager, gesturing to the picture with a questioning look on her face. Finally, a family friend of Guelta’s pointed her in the right direction. The student-benefactor relationship now had new meaning.

Guelta always wanted to help her fellow Haitians by going to college and learning to grow abundant crops to feed her starving nation. The United States was a logical choice to pursue her dream because it’s home to her newfound friend. However, a slight problem existed. Guelta didn’t speak English.

So instead of taking her first science class when she landed in Sacramento, she took English — at Sac State’s English Institute — as a second language learner. She studied and learned, worked hard and learned more. All while suffering personal loss and a sometimes-overwhelming guilt for not being there for family. Yet, she sailed through the English classes. Guelta was ready for college.

At Folsom Lake College, Guelta was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a student ambassador, club president of International Life and bound for UC Davis’ freshman class, 2018. There she is continuing her studies in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program.

Guelta has an active social life, and even has become accustomed to some American food (never chicken teriyaki). And what Guelta considers a gift from above, she now has two families. She will live with her sponsor family until the day she can return to Haiti and make a difference.

So far away from home, Guelta has found a home—at Folsom Lake College.

"FLC was the right choice; with quality guidance from wonderful professors the opportunities for my future began to open up." Jason Ward Student / Psychology for Transfer / EDC Student Activities Club / Folsom Lake College

Jason Ward, an amateur psychologist who always wondered why people do what they do, wanted to broaden his small-town view of things. So, he became a student at Folsom Lake College. And through his participation in several on-campus clubs and social events, Jason was offered an opportunity to study abroad via the Los Rios Study Abroad program.

As he toured the sights and observed the people in Rome and Florence, Italy, his worldview changed. " The most important lesson I learned from studying abroad, is that life is full of opportunities. Opportunities can be easily overlooked and then they pass. It would have been easier to stay in the comfort of my home in Placerville. But then I would not have walked the streets of the Renaissance, not seen The David, not made new friends and not experienced life in a foreign country," Jason shares.

Back home with world travel tucked under his belt, Jason was excited by opportunities that stretched ahead and where his college education could take him. He had a plan.

Jason believes that his degree from FLC in psychology will give him an edge when it comes to getting into UCLA, law school, and his desire to practice criminal law. He says the supportive staff, faculty, and student-led clubs he discovered at FLC, “a community hidden gem,” has given him the tools he needs to make big leaps in his education and career.

Jason advises that community college is a great place for someone who wants to explore everything the world has to offer. Community college is the perfect place to start, Jason says, it’s easy to get the classes you need, has a relaxing atmosphere, and is just a stop along the way to your bigger career ambitions.

"I'm on my way to fulfilling my life's mission with all the classes I need to succeed." Guelta Laguerre Alum / 2018 / International Student / Folsom Lake College

Folsom Lake College is more than tests, textbooks, and juggling schedules. Just ask Guelta Laguerre. Guelta traveled to California from her home country Haiti to study, and what a journey she is on.

Back home, Guelta attended a Mission of Hope school. The school relies on the generosity of sponsors who want to do their part for the children of a nation that suffers from severe illiteracy due to malnutrition and poverty. Only 50 percent of Haitian children ever attend school in the country that Guelta refers to as destitute.

The school’s sponsorship program is quite personal. Through photos and letters, each sponsor connects with an individual child. And that was the case for Guelta. What makes her story different is her devotion to her faith, her vow to get an education, and the tenacity of Guelta’s sponsor, a Rancho Cordova resident.

When Guelta graduated from Mission of Hope in 2012 and moved on, her sponsor didn’t. She kept wondering about her young student, and even traveled to Guelta’s Haitian village to search for her. With Guelta’s picture in hand, the traveling sponsor went up to villager after villager, gesturing to the picture with a questioning look on her face. Finally, a family friend of Guelta’s pointed her in the right direction. The student-benefactor relationship now had new meaning.

Guelta always wanted to help her fellow Haitians by going to college and learning to grow abundant crops to feed her starving nation. The United States was a logical choice to pursue her dream because it’s home to her newfound friend. However, a slight problem existed. Guelta didn’t speak English.

So instead of taking her first science class when she landed in Sacramento, she took English — at Sac State’s English Institute — as a second language learner. She studied and learned, worked hard and learned more. All while suffering personal loss and a sometimes-overwhelming guilt for not being there for family. Yet, she sailed through the English classes. Guelta was ready for college.

At Folsom Lake College, Guelta was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a student ambassador, club president of International Life and bound for UC Davis’ freshman class, 2018. There she is continuing her studies in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program.

Guelta has an active social life, and even has become accustomed to some American food (never chicken teriyaki). And what Guelta considers a gift from above, she now has two families. She will live with her sponsor family until the day she can return to Haiti and make a difference.

So far away from home, Guelta has found a home—at Folsom Lake College.

"Small successes made me want to keep reaching and accomplish more." Navjot Kaur Alum / 2018 / Mathematics for Transfer / Folsom Lake College

Navjot (Navi) Kaur is a math superstar who will generously tutor anyone who thinks they can’t be one too. That’s Navi in a nutshell, but that fails to include her immigrant upbringing where English had to be learned, her amazing work ethic that netted her a 4.0 GPA, or her incredible contribution to Folsom Lake College.

Despite her heavy class load and difficult course choices, Navi managed to serve as president of the FLC Math and Engineering Club, participated as a student representative on the hiring committee for the math, science, and engineering dean, was the director of finance for the FLC Clubs and Events Board, and was a student representative for the Folsom Lake College Technology Club.

Her instructors at FLC agree that Navi is indeed a singular sensation. Whip smart, humble, and helpful, she not only believes in herself, but also believes everyone has the potential to learn and do something great.

The first-generation college student’s parents think she’s special too. Although they live in India and did not complete high school, they have emotionally supported and encouraged Navi’s choices and are very proud (Navi’s sister also lives here and is studying computer science).

Now Navi is off to UC Davis to obtain her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in communication controls and signal processing. “I’m becoming a leading woman in tech, my way," Navi shares. She still tutors at FLC. According to Navi, if she can be an electric engineering major and a research scholar because of her academic experience at FLC, then the other students there can reach their dreams, too.

"You can take AP classes and college classes together, and that can be enough for an AA degree." Amelia Warzecha Alum / Advanced Education / Folsom Lake College

While many high school students struggled in the transition to online schooling, Amelia Warzecha saw an opportunity. She decided to make use of some of her extra time and take classes at Folsom Lake College, while still attending Ponderosa High School through the college's Advanced Education program.

What started out as just one online theater class, resulted in three associate degrees and counting – all before graduating high school.

"I just sort of started taking more classes and then after a while, my mom realized that, 'Oh, if you keep getting more classes, you can take AP classes – and together that can be enough credits for an AA degree,'" Warzecha says.

With this discovery, Warzecha looked back at the units she had already completed and realized that she had enough credits for associate degrees in Math and Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities.

Warzecha has found her FLC professors to be very helpful and flexible. She also noticed that there was a lot more independence than she expected in the online community college classes she takes. While some of her high school teachers insist that college will be stricter, so far Warzecha has found that that usually is not the case. Instead, she finds there is less supervision and more trust that students will work on assignments responsibly and complete them on time.

One of the many things that Warzecha has enjoyed is when her high school classes and college courses intersect. Seeing the same or similar ideas taught in different ways is enjoyable and engaging. It gives another way of understanding course materials.

If enrolling in college courses feels overwhelming, Warzecha recommends starting with classes that seem interesting and then going from there.

"At first, I tried to pick classes at FLC that I knew would be easier," she says. "One time, I took a yoga class – a fun class. And then I took harder classes when I had more free time. I took a physics class over the summer when I had more time to put more effort into it."

"Investing in your education by choosing to go to a community college is a very smart option." Iveth Lopez Obeso Alum / 2018 / Pre-Law / Folsom Lake College

As a first generation college graduate, Iveth Lopez Obeso’s graduation from Folsom Lake College (FLC) in May 2018 was a proud moment not only for her, but for her entire family.

When Iveth immigrated to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico in 2000, she encountered linguistic barriers, radical cultural differences, and a blend of both economic obstacles and educational opportunities.

Iveth used her bilingual communication skills as a Student Ambassador at FLC to provide information to other students beginning their educational journey. “It was an honor and a learning experience to interact with the families of other first-generation students, helping to de-stigmatize higher education for underrepresented minorities.”

As a Student Equity Advocate and the founding president of the college’s LatinX Club which provides a support network for Latino and Latina students on campus, Iveth was also on the planning team for a regional event that brought nationally-recognized DACA scholars to FLC to discuss the current issues facing the fluctuating U.S. immigration policy and its effect on the “Dreamer” population, particularly students of higher education.

“My goal is to pursue a career in law to advocate for social justice, immigration reform, and human rights,” Iveth shared. With a strong work ethic and the passion and grit to make her dream a reality, she is currently attending UCLA.

"Small successes made me want to keep reaching and accomplish more." Navjot Kaur Alum / 2018 / Mathematics for Transfer / Folsom Lake College

Navjot (Navi) Kaur is a math superstar who will generously tutor anyone who thinks they can’t be one too. That’s Navi in a nutshell, but that fails to include her immigrant upbringing where English had to be learned, her amazing work ethic that netted her a 4.0 GPA, or her incredible contribution to Folsom Lake College.

Despite her heavy class load and difficult course choices, Navi managed to serve as president of the FLC Math and Engineering Club, participated as a student representative on the hiring committee for the math, science, and engineering dean, was the director of finance for the FLC Clubs and Events Board, and was a student representative for the Folsom Lake College Technology Club.

Her instructors at FLC agree that Navi is indeed a singular sensation. Whip smart, humble, and helpful, she not only believes in herself, but also believes everyone has the potential to learn and do something great.

The first-generation college student’s parents think she’s special too. Although they live in India and did not complete high school, they have emotionally supported and encouraged Navi’s choices and are very proud (Navi’s sister also lives here and is studying computer science).

Now Navi is off to UC Davis to obtain her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in communication controls and signal processing. “I’m becoming a leading woman in tech, my way," Navi shares. She still tutors at FLC. According to Navi, if she can be an electric engineering major and a research scholar because of her academic experience at FLC, then the other students there can reach their dreams, too.

"I was a Student Equity Advocate my last semester at FLC, it was an amazing experience and I felt welcomed by my peers and I made a lot of friends that I think I’ll have for a long time." Micaela Stafford Student / Student Equity Advocate / Folsom Lake College

Micaela always thought school was difficult. She would sometimes get anxious about taking tests and would shut down rather than take on what she considered an overwhelming experience — making it through school.

Like many of her high school peers living in Elk Grove, Micaela moved along after graduation to Cosumnes River College. It seemed like the logical next step for a young woman who grew up with high expectations, but who did not see herself as a student, and considered a degree only a mirage on a distant horizon.

Those first few semesters of community college felt like an extension of high school and an extension of the anxiety Micaela use to face there. But then she made a significant discovery about herself and took advantage of an important opportunity that only Los Rios Community College District could offer her.

Micaela transferred to Folsom Lake College, a Los Rios campus with a smaller population located in a serene setting. It was there she was able to make a plan, and with the help of an attentive counselor and life lessons in time management, Micaela began to see herself differently. Her parents always told her she could do anything, and now she believed it too.

Micaela became adamant about going to class, turning assignments in on time, and getting involved on campus. She spent a lot of time in the tutoring center getting help with science and math, and a lot of time helping others as a Student Equity Advocate.

Micaela is now on her way to the University of San Francisco, transferring there as a junior, where the sky is the limit and advanced degrees are now part of the conversation. Her tenacity to stay in the ring and keep trying is a story those who struggle should hear, and a tribute to a community college system that can give students the help they need to achieve.

"Small successes made me want to keep reaching and accomplish more." Navjot Kaur Alum / 2018 / Mathematics for Transfer / Folsom Lake College

Navjot (Navi) Kaur is a math superstar who will generously tutor anyone who thinks they can’t be one too. That’s Navi in a nutshell, but that fails to include her immigrant upbringing where English had to be learned, her amazing work ethic that netted her a 4.0 GPA, or her incredible contribution to Folsom Lake College.

Despite her heavy class load and difficult course choices, Navi managed to serve as president of the FLC Math and Engineering Club, participated as a student representative on the hiring committee for the math, science, and engineering dean, was the director of finance for the FLC Clubs and Events Board, and was a student representative for the Folsom Lake College Technology Club.

Her instructors at FLC agree that Navi is indeed a singular sensation. Whip smart, humble, and helpful, she not only believes in herself, but also believes everyone has the potential to learn and do something great.

The first-generation college student’s parents think she’s special too. Although they live in India and did not complete high school, they have emotionally supported and encouraged Navi’s choices and are very proud (Navi’s sister also lives here and is studying computer science).

Now Navi is off to UC Davis to obtain her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in communication controls and signal processing. “I’m becoming a leading woman in tech, my way," Navi shares. She still tutors at FLC. According to Navi, if she can be an electric engineering major and a research scholar because of her academic experience at FLC, then the other students there can reach their dreams, too.

"You can take AP classes and college classes together, and that can be enough for an AA degree." Amelia Warzecha Alum / Advanced Education / Folsom Lake College

While many high school students struggled in the transition to online schooling, Amelia Warzecha saw an opportunity. She decided to make use of some of her extra time and take classes at Folsom Lake College, while still attending Ponderosa High School through the college's Advanced Education program.

What started out as just one online theater class, resulted in three associate degrees and counting – all before graduating high school.

"I just sort of started taking more classes and then after a while, my mom realized that, 'Oh, if you keep getting more classes, you can take AP classes – and together that can be enough credits for an AA degree,'" Warzecha says.

With this discovery, Warzecha looked back at the units she had already completed and realized that she had enough credits for associate degrees in Math and Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities.

Warzecha has found her FLC professors to be very helpful and flexible. She also noticed that there was a lot more independence than she expected in the online community college classes she takes. While some of her high school teachers insist that college will be stricter, so far Warzecha has found that that usually is not the case. Instead, she finds there is less supervision and more trust that students will work on assignments responsibly and complete them on time.

One of the many things that Warzecha has enjoyed is when her high school classes and college courses intersect. Seeing the same or similar ideas taught in different ways is enjoyable and engaging. It gives another way of understanding course materials.

If enrolling in college courses feels overwhelming, Warzecha recommends starting with classes that seem interesting and then going from there.

"At first, I tried to pick classes at FLC that I knew would be easier," she says. "One time, I took a yoga class – a fun class. And then I took harder classes when I had more free time. I took a physics class over the summer when I had more time to put more effort into it."

"Higher education is a commitment, but it can truly benefit your life and the lives of those around you." Zainub Tayeb Alum / 2018 / Political Science / Folsom Lake College

Folsom Lake College (FLC) alumna Zainub Tayeb knew from an early age that she wanted to make the world a better place.

“While I knew that I wanted to study political science, my time and experiences outside the classroom at FLC really helped me solidify a career path,” said Zainub. “I fell in love with the work I did with the Student Senate and realized that higher education and social justice policy was something that I was really passionate about.”

This was further cemented when Zainub was invited to attend the Social Justice Training Institute held at the University of Kansas in summer 2017. With 49 other students from across the country, facilitators led participants through activities to further their knowledge of social justice issues and how they could be better leaders and educators on their respective campuses.

In fall 2018, Zainub transferred to UC Berkeley, an institution of higher education well-known for its cultivation of activists and advocates. Zainub said, “I am constantly being inspired by my peers in a time where people are using as many platforms as they can to organize social revolutions or start global conversations. So many voices are demanding long-overdue diverse representation in the media and politics and it is finally being realized. All these combined voices and instances fuel my passion and commitment to my education.”

"Keep going. Press-on. Finish strong. Make a difference in other people’s lives." Felipe Rodriguez Alum / Social Science / Fire Chief, Cosumnes Fire Department / Folsom Lake College

Felipe Rodriguez knew he wanted to fight fires since the day he happened to be at a station as a child for a toy drive. They were giving away toys to families in need. But college seemed like a long shot.

And there was another calling for Felipe too. He wanted to serve his country in the Navy. As a son of immigrants, he had a warm appreciation for freedom and opportunity and wanted to give back.

When his stint in the Navy was complete, it was time to get back to firefighting. Felipe was all in. With the help and inspiration of his favorite counselor who advised him on how to access all the Los Rios campuses to meet his class needs, Felipe was able to balance his schedule between work and school. He achieved his immediate goal of becoming a firefighter by taking many fire science courses and completing an AA in Social Science. But Felipe sees building a solid foundation for higher education as his real Los Rios accomplishment.

The first to graduate from college in his family, Felipe says getting an education can be tough, but you’ve got to keep going. He is the first to say: Los Rios and Folsom Lake College offers a foundation for life.