Zamora – Building connections is important

Meet Tehachapi student Lupita Zamora, named Student of the Year for the East Kern Region of Cerro Coso Community College.

The middle child between two brothers, Lupita moved with her family to the United States from Mexico when she was just a little over a year old. The family landed in Tehachapi where she grew up, attended local schools and became a U.S. citizen immediately following high school.

Four-year colleges are not the only option available when it comes to continuing one's education after high school. Community colleges like Cerro Coso are public institutions that offer up to two years of study and are quite popular due to their accessibility, affordability and convenience in location and scheduling.

For Lupita, community college was more practical and a smarter choice before transferring to a four-year program. Not only did Cerro Coso present a strong value in education, there were also many staff and faculty members who were instrumental in shaping a positive college experience that allowed her to thrive academically. "They are all so super friendly and they really want to help you succeed," Lupita said. "I really excelled and I don't think I would have stood out as much at a bigger school. It is important to build connections with faculty, administrators, staff and other students so you can have a support group that you can go to for help."

Like many students, community college is a stepping-stone for Lupita to further her education and increase her chances of greater academic achievement at the four-year level. She interned as a student worker gaining a large amount of hands on professional experience, and loved the familiar small town feel of the campus.

Creative by nature, Lupita enjoys graphic design and photography and hopes to one day work in film production as a film director. "I love the theater and the arts and I want to be involved, but I want to be behind the scenes," she said. A 2019 graduate of Cerro Coso, Lupita received two degrees, Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities, and Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Science, in May. She plans to transfer to UC Santa Cruz next fall, majoring in film and digital media production.

Reflecting on her time at Cerro Coso, Lupita says she would highly recommend attending the college's Tehachapi campus. "I am happy with my decision to start my college journey here. The time I spent here allowed me to grow academically, socially and professionally," she said. "I was able to stay at home, gain valuable job skills, save a lot of money and prepare for the next step in my academic journey. For me, it was the best decision I could have made."

Cerro Coso celebrates your success, Lupita!

Cerro Coso Community College, Tehachapi can be reached at (661) 823-4986.