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Returning to �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) as an ELEVATE counselor is “a full-circle experience” for CatCat Hua, who says supporting first-generation students “reminds me why I’m so passionate about this work.”

When Brianna Joslyn first stepped onto the �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) campus, she was a young single mother rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive marriage. Balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with the challenges of being a first-generation college student, Brianna found hope and belonging through the supportive community at �鶹��ý, especially in the EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs programs, which provide academic, financial, and personal support for students facing economic or family-related challenges.

The �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) Foundation has received a $50,000 gift from Irvine Company in support of the college’s Teacher Preparation Pathway (TPP), a collaborative initiative designed to create a clear, supportive route from community college to the teaching profession.

The �鶹��ý Speech and Debate Team concluded the fall 2025 competitive season with remarkable success, earning a total of 82 individual student awards, and securing three team sweepstakes championships. Making the team’s results particularly noteworthy is the robust size of the team with 79 students participating throughout the fall semester.

In December, �鶹��ý’s Mock Trial Club competed in the 3rd Annual  American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Community College Clash, a national virtual  tournament designed to strengthen and showcase mock trial programs at the  community college level. �鶹��ý entered two, four-person teams to compete. 

�鶹��ý secured two of the top four spots in the tournament, earning first place for outstanding overall team and fourth-place national ranking.

A recent summa cum laude graduate of �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý), Avary Johnson’s foray into the field of education began at a young age.

While still in high school she completed �鶹��ý’s 12-unit Early Childhood Teacher Assistant Pathway and earned a Certificate of Proficiency. 

Thanks to her Advanced Placement, dual, and concurrent enrollment credits, Avary entered �鶹��ý as a second-year college student immediately after graduating high school. 

Recent �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) honors graduate Kristine Chai is already making a mark in the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology.

Following high school graduation, Kristine was certain she wanted to study science, so  �鶹��ý’s well regarded biotechnology program was a natural choice. Now, she has graduated with top honors and been accepted to her three first choice schools – UC Los  Angeles, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine (UCI) – and is leaning towards UCI. 

�鶹��ý’s (�鶹��ý) award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) team achieved national recognition at the National Model United Nations Conference in Washington, D.C., held November 5–9. Competing among top universities and colleges from around the world, �鶹��ý students earned an impressive collection of honors — including two Outstanding Delegation Awards, two Position Paper Awards, and the rare distinction of chairing three committees.

Caitlyn DeJesus’s love of numbers and logic ultimately laid the groundwork for her career path.