2024 PSD We Journey Together: Jesus Ramirez Jr.
Jesus has a thirst for knowledge – which he once considered a blessing and a curse. While it fueled a curiosity that drew him to many interests – sports, gaming, cars – he also felt it prevented him from focusing on, and excelling at, anything in particular. Through every fascination, however, one thing stayed the same: his love of learning.
He took his yearning to study to Cypress College, and here he excelled in mathematics. But it was more than the academics of college life, such as his mathematics classes. that captivated him. Jesus took to Associated Students and its leadership opportunities and ran with them, becoming a senator, and a student trustee, and taking part in making real impacts on higher education. Through his math classes, he determined what he wanted to do as a profession. The best part of the two experiences? Jesus found he wanted to further his studies in SEM and help fellow first-generation college students succeed in higher education, where he became a well-versed advocate.
Jesus is going on to UC Berkeley to earn his bachelor’s degree. He would like to also help out by tutoring when he isn’t studying, and go on to earn an advanced degree, as he continues his thirst for knowledge.
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
I grew up in the areas of Westminster and Garden Grove. Growing up, I had too many interests but did not excel at much because of my wish to learn everything around me. At one point, I wanted to be a professional gamer, a mechanic, or a professional athlete – in soccer, skateboarding, etc. I think it’s because I believed having a broad range of activities could apply to my studies, which I have always loved!
I’ve wanted to stay in Academia and learn for the rest of my life, because why would I want to stay stuck in just one branch of adult life and learning, when there is too much left to explore about what we don’t even know? I’ve strongly advocated to my entire family about higher education access, because knowledge opens a colossal amount of doors for opportunity. Growing up with just my mom and two brothers and being a first-generation college student, I hope to get across to future first-generation students like me the idea that knowledge is power. I am most passionate about learning what is not known – how have we not discovered or found or explored what is unknown by this point, unless we have but it has been lost over time? I have always been curious about how, why, and what things work the way they do; eventually, there is a block in understanding the why. Curiosity has been my best friend since forever ago and I appreciate my family for letting me explore the world.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
To be frank, I chose Cypress College because my cousin attended and mentioned that there were two years of free tuition. At the time, my family was struggling financially because of the pandemic, COVD-19, so money was very limited. Thankfully, I was able to come here and receive all the help needed to complete my goal of transferring and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to enter higher education.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
I have been heavily involved with Cypress College Associated Students since before my first semester even started. I’d like to appreciate Jay Shonkwiler and Dave Okawa for being the absolute best advisors I could have ever asked for. I give them big props for allowing me to explore a lot of options here at Cypress College and allowing me to just be me and make mistakes and learn from those accidents. My first two years, I was appointed into the position of senator and just attended campus committees and assisted in planning campus events and initiatives. In my third and final year, I was elected as the Student Trustee, and have grown more than I thought I would. I have been involved with discussions of district policy at the North Orange County California Community College District (NOCCCD), have advocated at the state capital with OC Action to secure voter registration, and worked to resolutions at the Student Senate of California Community Colleges General Assembly, etc.
A memorable moment I have with Cypress College is being elected as the Student Trustee by the students! I am able to represent as best as possible at the district or state level, whether it is sharing opinions on district policy or advocating at state conferences.
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?
Jay and Dave are my foundation for my higher education journey, they have advised me in the direction I’ve wanted to be, both professionally and interpersonally. As for my academic journey, Professor Plett ignited me to want to pursue a degree in Mathematics because of her passion to want every student to understand how magnificent math is and how it pops up everywhere in our lives.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
My immediate plan right after college is to attend UC Berkeley and do the best I can, in order to continue my higher education journey and apply for graduate school. During the summer, I will work as an intern with mechanical engineering and hope to tutor or help at after-school programs.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
In the future, I hope to achieve my dreams of obtaining a doctorate degree in Math or Physics. I would like to stay in academia and teach at a higher education institution as well as participate in research. I’d like to do advising for future first-generation students as I have the experience of being involved with the community college system and, soon, with four-year institutions.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being able to get where I am with the help of everyone I have crossed paths with. I have been lucky to be a part of a program where every student can be called a friend and contribute to everyone else’s academic journey. I love to learn from people, and because everyone in Associated Students is beyond extraordinary or exceptional, this is the best place on campus to grow into the person you want to be!
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
I’d like to advise students to get more involved with campus, whether it is events or student organizations. I believe we need to stop the idea of community college being simply a pitstop to getting to our future, and establish it as time to reflect what one wants to achieve and explore a variety of options offered here! When that happens, time flies by so fast, you’ll wish to stay just a little longer, kid you not.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I want to thank my family for letting me focus full time and allowing me to thrive and explore the outside world. Shout-out my mom for pushing me to be my best and always keeping me in check. Thank you to Dave and Jay for everything you have taught me about college and life. And a huge shout-out to everyone I have crossed paths with, it may not seem like it but I have learned a piece from each and every one and am able to apply it to my studies or life.