Alumni Spotlight - The Guzman Family

Sisters Stephanie, Vanessa, and Jacky Guzman with Ricardo Heredia

For the Guzman sisters, EvCC is a family affair. Vanessa and her husband, Ricardo, attended EvCC, as well as younger sisters Stephanie and Jacky. Stephanie enjoyed the small classes and discovered her strengths while attending EvCC. Today, she attends the University of Washington at Bothell, working as a peer navigator and personal and academic coach. Jacky is currently attending EvCC and is the student ambassador manager for the college Student LIFE group. “Being the youngest of three sisters, I followed in my sisters’ footsteps,” she says. “I chose EvCC because I wanted to test my interests with a few classes, while saving money at the same time!” Vanessa, now a fifth-grade teacher, agrees, saying, “As a first-generation college student, navigating an unknown system was intimidating, but my countless EvCC mentors helped to pave the way.”

What is your current occupation/career?

Stephanie: I am currently attending the University of Washington Bothell and I’m a senior majoring in Gender, Women, and Sexuality. I have two job positions there. I work as a peer navigator at the Diversity Center and I also work as a personal and academic coach for the Orientation Transition Program.

Vanessa: I am a fifth-grade elementary teacher.

Jacky: I work on EvCC campus in Student LIFE. I am currently the student ambassador manager.

Ricardo: I am the director of youth outreach for the Mukilteo YMCA.

How did you choose EvCC?

Stephanie: I did Running Start at EvCC and I found it to be a campus I really enjoyed. I connected with many professors and chose to continue studying there after high school. I enjoyed the small classes--there were courses that helped me find my major and future career.

Vanessa: During my senior year of high school, I was a Running Start student at EvCC; I instantly knew I wanted to continue there. I easily became familiarized with the campus, and the professors were supportive! It immediately made me like part of the community and encouraged me to want to be a part of it. That’s why I became a student ambassador and joined and led various student clubs, too.

Jacky: Being the youngest of three sisters, I followed in my sisters' footsteps. We have all started at EvCC. I chose to attend EvCC because I was undecided with my major and wanted to take a few classes to test my interests, while also saving money!

Ricardo: My mentors pointed me in the direction of attending EvCC. My advisor, Christina Castorena, showed strong interest in my success. As a Latinx advisor, she made me feel very welcomed.

Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career?

Stephanie: Yes! I talked to a career counselor who helped me find my strengths. I knew I had a passion for teaching and higher education was something I intended to pursue in order to become a professor.

Vanessa: I already knew I wanted to be a teacher. However, my time at EvCC enabled me to volunteer, serve, and gain valuable experience within the community, which strengthened my passion for teaching and education. Also, getting involved at EvCC made me realize that I could pursue my teaching degree on campus through the Everett University Center! I then transferred to WWU through the Everett University Center to obtain my degree.

Jacky: Yes! My time here at EvCC helped me figure out what I wanted to major in. I was taking a sociology class by Omar Marquez when I realized that my high school failed to educate me on the diverse and indigenous perspectives in U.S. history. That is why I am majoring in education. My future goal is to implement ethnic studies to Washington’s educational curriculum.

Ricardo: Yes, my time at EvCC pushed me into the direction of mentoring through the MEChA Club. EvCC branched me out to many community leaders and mentors who directly mentored me and recommended me for the job that I currently have.

What did you do after you left or graduated from EvCC?

Stephanie: I transferred to the University of Washington Bothell. I want to thank my family and the Trio program for that. I have gotten so much support from them. Both helped me with my personal statements and academics. I was accepted to UW Seattle and Bothell; I know I couldn’t have done it without them.

Vanessa: I transferred to Western Washington University at the Everett University Center to obtain my teaching degree. The Teacher Education Outreach Program supported me every step of the way! They offered opportunities to apply for various scholarships. I had a mentor and I was set up with a student teaching internship.

Jacky: I will be graduating from EvCC the spring quarter of 2020. I plan to transfer to the University of Washington Bothell by fall of 2020.

Ricardo: I transferred to the University of Washington Bothell where I got my bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Was there anyone during your time at EvCC who acted as a mentor for you?

Stephanie: Omar and Linda from the TRIO program were very helpful. Omar spent hours of his time helping me revise and edit my personal statement for UW. And Linda was always there during tour visits to universities. She told us about helpful courses and important tips for transferring. She led workshops at EvCC that were useful for attending UW. I learned a lot from both of them.

Vanessa: It is hard to name one person who acted as a mentor. I could write a long list of wonderful EvCC staff and faculty who mentored me in one way or another: from receiving academic support and encouragement to help with scholarships and guidance. As a first-generation college student, navigating an unknown system is intimidating, but my countless mentors helped to pave the way.

Jacky: Since I worked in Student LIFE, I was able to be connected to student resources and campus events. I worked closely with my advisor, Brittany Padgett, and I would say that she was like a mentor to me. When we have our meetings, she makes sure to check in with how I am doing with work and school. She is the most considerate person I’ve ever met. She makes sure that I am putting my personal and school life before work. This has helped me balance work and school. Brittany has always made sure to have her door open to anyone; she’s always willing to listen and help out!

Ricardo: Yes, Bill Reed was my accounting teacher and mentor. He did not like the idea of me taking a year off prior to transferring to UW Bothell. In the moment, he removed the financial barrier by granting me a scholarship from a foundation he managed.

What words of advice would you give to current EVCC students?

Stephanie: Get to know the campus more if you haven’t done so. This campus was very diverse and there were so many fun events at EvCC. I got involved and worked as student ambassador, one of the best jobs there because I made lots of friends and I gained professional skills for my future career. Get involved as much as you can because you will learn more about yourself that you didn’t know before and you will also meet new people and make new connections.

Vanessa: Getting involved and stepping out of your comfort zone allows you to build a supportive community and network!

Jacky: I would encourage current EvCC students to spend more time on campus to take advantage of the free and fun campus events! I would also advise them to become informed about the student resources that EvCC provides for them, such as the tutoring center and the writing center.

Ricardo: Put effort in creating relationships with staff and classmates. At the end of the day, it is not about what you know, but about who you know. 

Any other information you would like to provide?

Stephanie: EvCC is a great place to start after high school, especially if you don’t know what to major in. There are professionals there who will help you with that. There many classes there that they offer, and you can choose where you want to study, such as Monroe and other locations around Everett. There are a lot of options and you will save money! It’s the same credits as if you were going to a university.

Vanessa: Attending EvCC and transferring to WWU at the Everett University Center have been the best financial-saving decisions! Since I graduated, I have been debt-free! It was awesome starting my career and not having any loans to worry about.