Student Success Stories

Anna Heaton came to the United States from Russia at the tender age of five. When she entered kindergarten, she didn’t speak a single word of English.

Erick Pina doesn’t have to think back too long ago to remember his darkest days.

“Just a few years ago, I had no direction and felt like I had no purpose,” remembers Erick.

Daisy Castillo has held a lot of responsibilities in just 19 years. A first-generation college student at Ventura College, Daisy grew up in a low-income, single-parent household in Santa Paula.

Growing up in Santa Paula, Edward Ramirez recalls his parents always emphasizing the power of education.

Christina Montrose has overcome many challenges in her life. She grew up in a household with an alcoholic father who insisted college was a waste of time and money.

Elijah Walker knows exactly what he wants to do. Where he wants to go. And who he wants to take with him. You might say his dreams and goals are pretty far out.

Vanessa Velazquez feels she owes a lot to Ventura College – as well as the Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace.

TJ Foreman found tremendous success at Ventura College. Both on the baseball diamond and inside the classroom. You might even say he was Golden.

Audrey Castillo is on quite a run.

The 19-year-old Oxnard native turned in a sensational sophomore soccer season at Ventura College, leading the Pirates to a 10-7-5 record…

Difficult childhood to medical assistant goals Claudia Pariso was born and raised in Oildale, Calif., a town of about 32,000 just north of Bakersfield.