Chasing a Childhood Dream
Julio Hernandez put his education on hold to provide for his family, but he never gave up his dream of becoming an artist.
Julio Hernandez graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and secured two jobs as a ceramic lab technician at Esperanza High School in Anaheim and a studio manager at Claysita Ceramic Studio in Los Angeles.
Since childhood, I have been deeply interested in art and dreamed of becoming an artist.
Toward the end of my time at community college, just as I was preparing to transfer, I became a dad. It was a tough decision to pause my education, but I needed to take on the responsibility of providing for my family.
I threw myself into the workforce, taking on various jobs in retail, food service and delivery. Eventually, I secured a management position in the digital printing and garment industries. However, as I climbed the professional ladder, I found myself drifting further from my true goals and passion.
For me, there is a profound connection between ceramics and our primitive ancestry. Its transformative nature — molding, breaking, sculpting, stretching and evolving — is symbolic of my own life. It mirrors how I adapt and grow, and challenges me to express my ideas through a hands-on approach.
One of the reasons I pursued an art degree was my aspiration to teach and share my knowledge with others. I realized that while a job might be temporary, a degree is something that lasts a lifetime. A degree is more than a piece of paper; it’s a foundation for the life I’m building and a reminder that the possibilities ahead are limitless.
Restarting my educational journey brought its own set of challenges, including financial obstacles and the fact that I was older than most of my peers. Many aspects of education have changed, especially with the rise of digital platforms.
I’m confident about the path I’m pursuing because of the strong foundation I’ve built at CSUF. The College of the Arts and programs like “I Am First” gave me essential tools to navigate life after graduation. These resources taught me who to connect with, where to apply and how to position myself for the opportunities I want. Thanks to my professors’ guidance and the skills I’ve developed, I secured two jobs in my field before graduation, which was incredibly affirming.
The value of a degree is inherently personal and depends on the perspective of the individual. For me, the value of my degree is immeasurable — it represents far more than just an academic achievement. As a first-generation graduate, this milestone symbolizes perseverance, growth and the fulfillment of a dream not only for myself but for my family.
Closing One Door and Opening Another
Alli Lappin Dubin thought she could work her way up the professional ladder. She discovered a bachelor’s degree would lead to more opportunities.
My teenage years were tumultuous. I barely graduated from high school and didn’t give much thought to the value of a college degree. After graduation, my friend helped me land a job at Trader Joe’s, a popular place to work for students and artists due to its competitive wages and flexible hours.
Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked at seven different stores across San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orange County. My plan was to keep advancing within the company until I retired. However, I began to reconsider the value of a degree after I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition and the world became complicated by the politics of the pandemic.
During the pandemic, I was interacting on a daily basis with employees, customers and community members who were struggling with housing, food insecurity, addiction, mental health, violence and misinformation.
Alli Lappin Dubin graduated in 2025 with bachelor’s degrees in English and American studies. She was accepted to the master’s program in English at Cal State Fullerton and will begin her studies in fall 2025.
The problems were becoming too big for me to solve in my role as a grocery store manager. I considered moving into the human resources department of my company’s corporate office so I could help equip managers with the skills and resources they needed to be successful in their roles. But I needed a bachelor’s degree, so I began taking courses at Fullerton College.
When I transferred to Cal State Fullerton, I didn’t expect that I would receive such a high-caliber education. The professors are experts who have studied at elite institutions and are deeply committed to their fields. They completely changed my perception of the value of a degree. My professors have given me some of the greatest gifts a human being can receive, including believing in the potential of a 30-something grocery store worker like me.
I decided to major in English and American studies because I wanted to learn how to live life as an informed, thoughtful human being. The humanities aren’t just about studying the past — they’re about imagining and creating better ways forward. The key is realizing that we need each other and we can’t build the future alone.
My dream is to teach at the college level and to find ways to support returning students on nontraditional academic journeys. I have loved the experience of attending Cal State Fullerton, and feel confident that my degrees will give me access to better jobs.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Jazmin Cortez previously thought earning money was more important than pursuing a college degree. Her experiences at Cal State Fullerton helped her appreciate the broader benefits.
When I turned 16, I applied for a job at McDonald’s and became focused on earning each paycheck. In addition to working in fast-food, I joined a network marketing business, captivated by the success stories of young millionaires. But the relentless hustle left me drained and unfulfilled.
Jazmin Cortez graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and works for a behavioral health clinic in Los Angeles County. Her responsibilities include talent acquisition, office management, scheduling and event planning.
I had the mindset that college wasn’t for me, and a rejection letter from one university confirmed my doubts. I told my mom it was a sign that I shouldn’t go to college.
My mom encouraged me to enroll at Cerritos College, where I took a public speaking course. I discovered that I love learning about communication and that college was the right path for me. I began to apply myself and earn A’s in my classes.
When it was time to transfer, I applied to two colleges and was accepted to both.
One of those colleges was Cal State Fullerton. I toured the campus and was drawn to the natural environment and clean, beautiful grounds. I could picture myself enjoying classes and connecting with my faith. Although I felt a sense of peace while walking around campus, I worried about how to finance my education.
The Office of Financial Aid helped alleviate my concerns, guiding me through the application processes for federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants and the Middle Class Scholarship, which covered my tuition and more. The financial support allowed me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of debt.
As a communication studies major, I took advantage of opportunities to assist in a teaching lab for public speaking, work as a student assistant in the university’s human resources division and serve in a leadership role for Lambda Pi Eta, the communications honor society.
After graduation, I landed a job at a behavioral health clinic. I am confident the skills and experiences I gained at Cal State Fullerton will continue to guide me in my career.
My time at CSUF was worth every challenge, providing me with a supportive community, lifelong friendships and a clearer vision of my future. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that college was more than just an academic pursuit. It was a time of personal growth. I learned to take risks, trust in my faith and believe in myself.
