The Channels

Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Commencement

Media Credit: James Sinclair Commencement speaker, Jorge Zamora is transferring to UC Berkley in the Fall.

Three years ago Jorge Zamora was a college dropout, working a menial job with little hope of improving his situation. Fast forward to the present and Zamora is leaving City College with two associate degrees and headed to UC Berkley where he will major in business administration.

Zamora's admits that his journey has not been easy, but along the way he has learned the importance of education.

"I dropped out of college because I was having difficulties," Zamora said. "I saw first hand how difficult life can be without an education."

After graduating from high school in 2004, Zamora enrolled at City College, but after three semesters he had only passed one class and had five withdrawals on his record.

"My first semester I was just out partying, doing drugs and not caring about anything," Zamora said.

Zamora decided to try his luck working full-time. During that time, he developed a maturity that prompted him to return to school and excel.

"Talking to people who were doing manual labor type of work really encouraged me to go back to school," Zamora said in a redemptive tone. "They saw some potential in me and I decided to give it another go."

Once he returned to school, Zamora knew he would need some support especially, if he wanted to turn his poor academic record around. Zamora attributes much of his success the Extended Opportunities Programs and Services and the Transfer Achievement programs.

Zamora specifically mentioned Dave Morley, EOPS advisor, Silvia Suayfeta EOPS special program advisor and Kathie Adams Transfer Center Director as three people who have been instrumental to his development.

"EOPS was the biggest help," Zamora said. "They provided me with financial aid, one-on-one counseling as far as coursework and tutoring."

When it came time to apply to universities, Adams helped Zamora with his personal statement for his UC applications.

Zamora has now been selected as the commencement speaker at the City College graduation ceremony. His inspirational story has offered many talking points

"I feel honored to have been selected, considering I was a college dropout," Zamora said. "It is my goal to inspire other people like me."

Zamora plans to finish business school and possibly work for a large corporation before beginning law school.

"I just want to let people know if they try a little bit harder they can make something of themselves," Zamora said. "It is never to late to be a better and more successful person."

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