#CYProud: Arjun Ayyappan, Political Science
Student success comes in many different forms, and Cypress College is proud to recognize and celebrate the variety of paths our students take to achieve their dreams. Whether it’s transferring to a four-year institution, or receiving an associate degree or certificate and heading into the workforce, we want all of our students to know we are on this educational journey with them and are pleased to feature distinguished #CYProud students for 2024.
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
My name is Arjun Ayyappan and I am an Indian-American who grew up in Cerritos, CA. In high school, I searched around different fields including healthcare, business, and real estate but eventually found an interest in law after an internship with the LA County Superior Court. When I joined Cypress College, I was excited to study college-level courses in subjects that I had a deep passion for like the many political science and administration of justice classes. Since I joined Cypress, I got involved in club life, student government, and many more things that helped me further explore or prepare me for the legal field. Outside school, I enjoy tennis as I’ve played it competitively almost all my life and love going to the gym to stay fit!
What are you most passionate about? Why?
I have two main passions within law.
During an internship with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office There, I felt heartbroken when I observed situations like a low-income minority juvenile receiving double the community service hours than a higher-income juvenile due to their lack of adequate legal guidance. However, I left with an appreciation for the emphasis on rehabilitation within Juvenile Court compared to the seemingly punishment-focused structure that traditional courts support. I found myself immensely drawn to the courtroom; moving forward, I am passionate about improving equity in Juvenile Courts and bringing its rehabilitation efforts to traditional courts.
Growing up in Southern California as the son of immigrants, my parents stressed the importance of seizing opportunities, including the right to vote. Their lessons shaped me into a self-taught learner who takes civic duty seriously. Approaching my 18th birthday before the 2022 Presidential election was monumental. However, my excitement turned to disappointment when, upon reaching the voting center at my college, I was informed that I couldn’t vote because I wasn’t registered. National youth (ages 18-29) voter turnout for the 2022 midterm election was just 23%. Millions of our youth are disengaged with politics due to a lack of knowledge of voting and government affairs; prioritizing civic engagement, especially in our youth, makes an impact for a lifetime. So, I’ve been working on increasing civic engagement and voter turnout in our student on campus and have been working with California legislators to help close the voter participation gaps in the youth community. [https://voiceofoc.org/2024/05/ayappan-college-students-could-be-a-powerful-voting-block-how-registration-gets-in-the-way/]
Why did you choose Cypress College?
The last few months of high school were meant to be stress-free: no finals, our senior trip to Universal Studios, and a lot of yearbook signing. Instead, during one harrowing night in April, my dad and I sped down California 91 as my mom gasped for air in the backseat – due to her neonatal lupus, her left lung failed. I spent much of the next 8 weeks waiting in the Norwalk Community Hospital lobby, a room I became so familiar with that I memorized the shift schedules of the front desk workers. My mother being unable to work financially devastated my family. Due to her debilitating condition and my family’s financial struggles, I realized that it was prudent to stay close to home. Having visited Cypress College to play tennis and received high commendations from friends, I was excited to attend. Additionally, I was elated to receive two years of free tuition through the Charger Experience Promise Program.
What have you been involved in (programs, clubs, events, jobs, other opportunities, etc.) at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
At Cypress, I took advantage of every opportunity I could. I took a rigorous course load of ~18 units per semester and graduated with a 3.96 GPA. I founded the Cypress Law & Politics Club to introduce the field of law to non-pre-law students and find law-related professional opportunities for pre-law students. In my second semester of my first year, I joined our student government – the Cypress College Associated Students. After being elected President of the Associated Students, I implemented a focus on electoral participation as I believe the low voter turnout of our youth undermines our nation’s long-term sustainability. Cypress has even helped me outside school as I found all my internships through the career counselors and careers fairs!
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
The first official AS meeting of the 2023-2024 year was easily my most memorable moment of being a Cypress College student. I remember after coming back to Cypress after my first year and making final selections for people who applied to be in AS, I was excited to meet everyone new. After a few short hours in that first meeting, I knew we had an amazing council and year ahead!
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today?
Dave Okawa, AS Advisor, and Joseph (Jay) Shonkwiler, AS Co-Advisor were two of my biggest supporters at Cypress College. They encouraged me and helped me start my club and eventually encouraged me to join AS and eventually run for President. Much of my success I must credit to them! As for teachers, Professor Gloria Badal and Professor Melanie Nabahani were immense contributors to academic journey. Professor Badal helped introduce the field of law to me and always pushed me to improve. Professor Nabahani was my first professor at Cypress College and showed me that Cypress was truly here to support and educate students unconditionally.
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Cypress College, being a community college, offered me flexibility in my education that I could elsewhere never enjoy. I was able to take care of my familial responsibilities at home, work, take on countless extracurriculars, and still flourish in the classroom. Cypress College’s professors are always understanding of the various life situations we find ourselves in and I know I couldn’t have done an ounce of what I’ve achieved here without them.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
After graduating with my AAT in Political Science, I will be attending Stanford University to attain my BA in Political Science.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
After receiving my Bachelor’s degree, I will attend law school to address low civic engagement and voting in our youth as well as the lack of a rehabilitation emphasis in our criminal justice system through legislation or litigation.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being a part of Senate Bill 299. The bill works to automatically register all Californians to vote once they get their drivers license and will be voted on by the California Assembly on June 12, 2024. I have been flown out to our State Capitol to advocate for the bill and have been doing work here in Cypress to garner additional support for it. I am hoping it passes but regardless of the result I am proud of coming this far in a passion I could only dream of becoming this big just two years ago.
What one bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
My advice would be to get involved on campus. There’s a very common theme in that alumni who enjoy Cypress are the ones who were involved with the campus and that holds true for all students. Being a commuter school, it’s hard to make friends or having a sense of school pride and community. If you get involved with our many affinity programs, career advancement programs, clubs, and/or student government, your time at Cypress will be enjoyable and fruitful.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank?
Apart from all those who I thanked in question 6, I would like to thank administration. Whenever the Cypress College Associated Students goes to conferences and meet other student governments, we often hear complaints due to their administration’s lack of support. Here, that is far from a problem. Dr. Thayer, Dr. De Dios, and the countless other gears that make up administration unconditionally support Cypress AS and, subsequently, the student body as a whole.