I currently work as a behavioral interventionist for students with autism. After graduating from CSULB, I will pursue a master's in social and behavioral science. It is my goal to enhance the field of behavioral intervention. Throughout my career I would like to also teach at a college level to bridge the gap of hands on experience and what is taught in the classroom about applied behavioral analysis.

I celebrated life as a 10-year-survivor of a violent crime that left me with paraplegia. Being wheelchair-bound shortly after the birth of my daughter made single-parenting especially challenging, but my daughter is a major reason for why I work so hard, and continue pushing toward my goals. I received a Cerritos College Foundation scholarship, and am nearing my short-term goal of graduating from Cerritos College with an A.A. in sociology.

The Cerritos College Scholars' Honors Program introduced me to research, which is what I am now going to pursue in college. Through SHP, I learned about UCLA's Community College to PhD Scholars' Program, a 7-month long research program that has greatly augmented my knowledge about research. I would not have the privilege to take advantage of these opportunities without SHP. I want to give back to my community by mentoring others.

I always had an interest in school, but I made poor decisions when I was young. I got involved in gang life when I was 12 years old, and dropped out of school. At 19, I was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a violent altercation. When I got out of prison, I enrolled at Cerritos College, and studied hard. I found a passion for accounting through campus friends. Now I’m transferring to USC, the school I once thought was way out of my league.

I am traveling to Tanzania this summer to conduct workshops for English educators throughout the country on using technology in low resource areas. I was inspired to propose the project after taking Educational Technology classes at Cerritos College and learning about resources I could share with colleagues in Tanzania.