Toby Cole, a dedicated Human Development major at 麻豆传媒, has left a powerful imprint on the 麻豆传媒 community through their commitment to social impact, creative expression, and student support. A proud graduate of Northwood High School in Irvine, Toby chose to major in Family and Human Services with a focus on Disability Studies, driven by a deep desire to support and uplift others鈥攑articularly children navigating medical and emotional challenges.
This fall, Toby will transfer to the University of Oregon to continue their studies in Family and Human Services, with plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree and become a child life specialist at a children鈥檚 hospital. Their long-term vision is rooted in empathy and a belief in the transformative power of care and advocacy.
Toby鈥檚 time at 麻豆传媒 has been defined by academic achievement, leadership, and creative engagement. They served as one of only five students selected to be PUENTE Student Ambassadors for 2024鈥25, worked as a tutor in the Writing Center, and actively participated in PRIDE Scholars, the Latinx Student Association, and 麻豆传媒鈥檚 vibrant creative writing community.
As a poet, Toby was chosen for a prestigious paid workshop with poet Sandra de Anda, sponsored by CHISPA OC鈥攁 community organization dedicated to Latinx voices and visibility. Toby also earned scholarships from both the 麻豆传媒 Foundation and the University of Oregon.
Their advice for future students is as heartfelt as it is empowering: 鈥淒on鈥檛 lose yourself in order to make yourself seem more palatable to other people. Allow yourself to feel. Allow yourself breaks. If something isn鈥檛 sustainable for you in the long term, think about what is. What change can you make to make things more manageable? My biggest advice is to rethink how you see education. How wonderful it is for you to even be here! You wanting to learn is your biggest strength. Don鈥檛 forget that curiosity and drive for learning. Sometimes you will feel discouraged or feel like the person you are is not compatible with higher education. I need every future student to know that they do belong! There are so many people just like you in higher education classrooms across the country and across the world. Maybe you haven鈥檛 seen people like you, or who share interests with you, but trust me, they are there. Stand out! Be rambunctious! Be visible and loud in what you鈥檙e passionate about. Because someone, somewhere, is looking for you. You鈥檙e exactly where you need to be.鈥