Student Spotlight

Jazmin Arteaga

Jazmin Arteaga is an Animal Science and Environmental Science major at Golden West College with a passion for improving the well-being of both people and animals. Her interest in the field grew from a love of animals and a desire to make a positive impact on the world around her. Originally interested in becoming a veterinarian for pets, she later discovered a broader interest in animal rehabilitation and environmental issues, recognizing how closely the health of people, animals, and the environment are connected.

Jazmin chose Golden West College because it was local and recommended by friends, including fellow MESA members. Through both Puente and MESA, she found communities that helped her feel supported throughout her college journey. While Puente became her first home on campus, MESA introduced her to a network of STEM students who shared similar goals, challenges, and experiences. The program exposed her to internships, field trips, conferences, and opportunities she may not have discovered on her own. More importantly, it connected her with peers she could rely on for advice, encouragement, and motivation. Over the past two years, MESA has helped her step outside her comfort zone and become more engaged with the STEM community.

Jazmin plans to transfer in 2027 and is exploring opportunities at UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is currently focused on doing her best in her classes, gaining experience through internships, and continuing to explore career paths that align with her interests. This summer, Jazmin is participating in the CSUF Project RAISE URE, giving her access to research opportunities and mentorship. One of the biggest challenges she has worked through is overcoming her introverted tendencies. While putting herself out there can be exhausting at times, she has learned that meaningful growth often comes from taking small steps outside of her comfort zone. Whether introducing herself to a new classmate or attending an event, those moments have helped her build confidence, expand her network, and make the most of her college experience.

Evelyn Nguyen

Evelyn Nguyen is a second year student at Golden West College majoring in Mathematics and planning to minor in Computer Science after transferring to Cal State Long Beach. Her interest in STEM started early in fifth grade after participating in an “Hour of Code” activity that sparked her curiosity about programming. Since then, she has been drawn to the problem solving side of both math and coding, describing programming as “like a puzzle.” Outside of school, Evelyn enjoys playing sudoku, hiking with friends, and drawing.

Originally pursuing Computer Science, Evelyn later switched her major to Mathematics while continuing to explore opportunities in software and technology. She hopes to either work in software engineering or become a math teacher, with long term goals of earning a master’s degree and eventually teaching at the community college level. Her passion for STEM comes from both her love of programming and the fulfillment she finds in helping others understand math. While still exploring what direction she wants to take professionally, she is currently looking into internships and opportunities that will help her gain experience in the field.

Since joining MESA in Fall 2024, Evelyn has found a community she can rely on for support, resources, and friendship. As someone who spent much of her time as an online student while balancing work, college initially felt isolating. Through MESA, she became more connected on campus and built friendships that made her STEM journey feel less lonely. Attending conferences like SACNAS also helped her grow professionally by teaching her how to strengthen her resume, connect with mentors, and become more confident in pursuing her goals.

One of Evelyn’s biggest challenges has been managing procrastination and staying motivated while taking online classes. Over time, she learned how to create better habits, set boundaries, and stay focused on long term goals. Her message to students beginning their STEM journey is to trust their passion and keep pushing forward, even when things feel difficult. She also encourages students to take advantage of the resources and communities around them because support systems truly make a difference. Above all, Evelyn wants others to remember that every journey looks different, and it is okay if your path takes more time than someone else’s.

Allen Carvajal

Allen is a chemistry major currently attending CSU Long Beach after transferring in Spring 2026. As a Golden West College alum and MESA alum, he built a strong foundation in STEM through academic support, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences that helped shape his path beyond community college.

After transferring to a larger university, Allen found himself adjusting to a new academic culture, different teaching styles, and the challenge of rebuilding community from scratch. The transition brought moments of culture shock, especially without the familiar support systems he had at GWC. Alongside his coursework, Allen works as a restaurant host and previously served as a TLC embedded tutor, experiences that have helped him stay adaptable and disciplined during periods of change.

Allen’s interest in STEM comes from his love of problem solving. He enjoys breaking problems down step by step, working through equations, and reaching clear solutions. Family plays a major role in his motivation, encouraging him to pursue goals not only for himself but also to accomplish things his family had not necessarily had the opportunity to do. He is driven to continue his education beyond his degree and build something meaningful through STEM.

One of the most impactful parts of Allen’s MESA experience was academic counseling. Having consistent guidance and a genuine partnership helped him feel secure and confident in his academic direction. With support from Christina and Kimi, he was able to navigate uncertainty, set achievable goals, and ultimately reach them despite obstacles. One of his biggest challenges was identifying the right major. He initially explored nursing, then biology, before realizing chemistry was where his interest truly peaked.

Now at CSU Long Beach, Allen continues working on strengthening his study habits and time management while adjusting to an environment where community and study groups feel less accessible. While the transition has been challenging, it has also pushed him to grow independently. His advice to students starting their STEM journey is honest and reflective: you are not going to get it right the first time, but what matters most is learning how to do it better. Outside of STEM, Allen enjoys staying active at the gym and playing video games, and he carries the mindset that challenges are part of life and the key is to learn from them and keep moving forward.

Eduardo Soto

Eduardo Soto is a Computer Science major at Golden West College with a long-standing interest in technology. Growing up around computers, he became curious about how they worked after helping his dad troubleshoot tech issues at home. That curiosity eventually led him to explore online learning, including introductory computer science content he discovered on YouTube and Harvard’s online resources while still in high school. Eduardo’s high school experience was not always straightforward, but after transferring schools and graduating early, he chose to continue his education at GWC to prove to himself and his family that he could succeed academically.

At GWC, Eduardo was drawn to MESA after hearing about the program during a class presentation and through a counselor referral. He joined hoping to connect with other STEM majors and quickly found a community that helped him feel more comfortable in the field. Through MESA he built friendships, participated in study groups, and even secured a job through the program. Being part of the STEM Center community helped him overcome his naturally quiet and reserved tendencies and gave him a stronger sense of belonging in STEM, something he had not always felt before college.

Eduardo is focused on finishing the year strong with the goal of earning all As and maintaining his motivation. He plans to transfer to either UC Irvine or Cal State Fullerton, where he hopes to pursue cybersecurity through specialized programs offered at both universities. Along the way, he continues developing his technical skills, recently building his own virtual home lab to explore cybersecurity concepts and hands-on system work. Hearing about how others navigate challenges in STEM motivates him to keep pushing forward and reminds him that persistence matters.

Like many students, Eduardo has faced moments of stress and anxiety while balancing coursework and expectations. Through those experiences he has learned the importance of pacing himself, understanding his limits, and focusing on long-term goals rather than pushing himself too hard all at once. His advice to other students beginning their STEM journey is simple but honest: keep trying, especially when things feel difficult, because those moments are often when the most learning happens. Outside of school, Eduardo enjoys listening to music, drawing, and spending time in the STEM Center, his favorite place to study on campus.

Nelson Baltazar

Nelson Baltazar is a Mechanical Engineering major at Golden West College and a proud first-generation college student of Mexican and Guatemalan heritage. His path into engineering started in a surprisingly simple way. At first, he thought mechanical engineering just sounded like a cool major. He originally planned to become a mechanic, but his dad encouraged him to stick with engineering, believing Nelson had the ability to succeed in the field. That encouragement helped push him to pursue a degree that could open more opportunities for his future.

Nelson chose Golden West College because it was affordable, local, and allowed him to continue his education close to home. He later joined MESA after learning it was a program designed to support STEM majors. Through MESA, he found both academic resources and a community of students taking similar classes. The program has helped him connect with peers, share advice about coursework, and better prepare for future classes. As a MESA Peer Ambassador, Nelson has also helped host study groups and social events, giving him the chance to meet more students and strengthen the sense of community within the program.

Adjusting from high school to college was one of Nelson’s biggest challenges. He quickly realized that college requires more independence, especially when it comes to studying and completing coursework outside of class. Over time, he has learned to manage his workload, ask questions, and advocate for himself when he needs help. One accomplishment he is proud of is successfully completing his first semester and pushing through the initial transition into college-level work.

Nelson’s goals are straightforward and honest. He wants to pass his classes, transfer, build a stable career in mechanical engineering, and ultimately help support his family. Seeing the financial challenges his parents have faced motivates him to keep working toward a career that can provide long-term stability. His advice to students starting their STEM journey is simple: stay focused, push through the challenges, and find a community that supports you along the way. Outside of school, Nelson enjoys playing video games like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Fortnite, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and listening to funk music. And if there’s one thing people quickly notice about him, it’s his sense of humor—he’s always laughing and making others laugh too.

Thao Mai

Thao is a third year Industrial Engineering major who will be transferring to Cal Poly Pomona in Fall 2026. Go Broncos! Her journey into STEM was driven by a desire to improve public health and create better products and systems for communities that deserve stronger support and quality of life. That purpose continues to guide her academic and professional goals.

She was drawn to Golden West College for its welcoming environment and quickly found community through MESA. At first unsure of what career path to pursue, it was through MESA events, conferences, and field trips that she discovered a direction that truly aligned with her interests. Over time, she grew more confident in her place within STEM. Through programs like Puente and EOPS, participating in NASA funded competitions, attending the Puente Math and Science Summer Academy at UC Berkeley, and serving as the founding Vice President of the MESA Club, Thao built both leadership skills and clarity about her future. She also worked in the Math and Science Division Office and now works with the Puente Program at GWC, continuing to give back to the community that supported her. Most recently, receiving her first college acceptance was a major milestone. In high school, she was not sure that opportunity would come, and now it stands as proof that she is building the future she once questioned.

One of Thao’s biggest challenges was navigating uncertainty. She changed her major several times before finding Industrial Engineering, learning that growth sometimes requires patience and exploration. That experience shaped the advice she now gives others: be diligent, stay curious, and do not give up even when you feel lost. Paths are rarely straight, and there is nothing wrong with changing direction if it brings you closer to what fits. Motivated by creating a stable future for herself and her loved ones, she is currently applying for summer internships and focused on finishing the semester strong before transferring. Outside of class, you can often find her studying in the MESA space or binging Disney and Pixar movies. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue supporting younger students in STEM, not only as a professional, but as a mentor who helps others explore and discover what is possible.

Nagham Almerie

Nagham (she/her) is a second-year Physics and Mathematics major whose love for STEM started long before college. Growing up in Jordan, science and math always made the most sense to her thanks to teachers who made physics exciting and a family that encouraged her curiosity. When she moved to the U.S. late in high school and chose GWC during a period of uncertainty, she didn’t expect to find a second home so quickly. MESA reminded her of the leadership roles she enjoyed such as Link Crew at Westminster High School and gave her a place full of people who think, dream, and work with the same drive she does.

She is the kind of student who genuinely enjoys learning whether it is physics, math, engineering, or anything that challenges her. Nagham hopes to earn a master's degree in physics or engineering (with a growing interest in mechanical & aerospace engineering) and is aiming for campuses such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, or UC San Diego. She has been deeply involved during her time at Golden West College, participating in Puente, Aspire, MESA, serving as a tutor, peer mentor, MESA Club president, and taking part in programs such as the Future Leaders Initiative at UCI and NASA L’Space Academy. Balancing family responsibilities, heavy course loads, and extracurriculars takes real discipline, but her time management skills and determination help her stay "locked-in" each semester.

For Nagham, MESA has been a game changer. She has built meaningful friendships, found encouragement among other high achieving students, and even jokes that the MESA Office is her second office. A standout moment was the Great Minds in STEM San Diego conference, which shifted her thinking about transferring and showed her that she can thrive even far from home. With her outgoing energy and grounded outlook, her advice to new STEM students is simple: “Make sure you truly connect with what you study because passion is what carries you through the toughest challenges.”