Discover how Orange Coast College helped shape the journeys of students who turned potential into purpose. From their first steps on campus to meaningful careers and transformative experiences, each story reflects the opportunities and support that make OCC a launchpad for success. Learn what inspired them to start here, what kept them motivated, and led them to their path to success.
Jesse Moffett
Fashion Stylist
Jess Moffett found a love for fashion when she rummaged through her mom’s closet to create the perfect outfit. She sharpened her skillset at Orange Coast College to make her mark in the fashion industry. Now, Jess is pursuing her passion for fashion as a Wardrobe Stylist at Boot Barn.
Edbert Nguyen
Chef
Edbert Nguyen developed his passion for cooking at a young age when he cooked alongside his Vietnamese mother. Now, Edbert is celebrating his Vietnamese heritage one dish at a time as an Assistant Kitchen Manager at Vox Kitchen.
Sarah Catania
Research Engineer
Sarah Catania developed her passion for STEM as she tinkered with toys to learn how they worked. Following in her family’s footsteps, Sarah pursued engineering and enrolled in STEM classes at Orange Coast College. Now, Sarah is a Research and Development Engineer at Broadcom.
Melanie Zarzur
Product Coordinator
Melanie Zarzur began as an international student from Brazil at OCC, then transferred to USC for civil engineering. After graduating during the pandemic, she returned to OCC and discovered her passion in Immersive Media. Today, she's a Product Coordinator at Magnopus, shaping virtual worlds.
Austin Salcedo
Transferred to Stanford Univeristy
My Experience at OCC was absolutely incredible. Not only were my professors extremely helpful, but all of the free tutoring I got at the Student Success Center greatly contributed to my success and helped build my academic confidence.
Eric Wagaman & David Morgan
MLB players
Eric Wagaman and David Morgan both shared a passion for baseball, and their talents were honed while playing for the award-winning Orange Coast College baseball team. Now, Eric plays first base for the Miami Marlins, while David servers as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres.
Octavio Alva
Coast Crew
Octavio’s two years with Orange Coast Crew were a life-changing experience. The sport taught him lasting values like discipline, punctuality, teamwork, and the importance of pursuing his dreams.
Carmen Chavez
Transferred to Chapman University
Carmen Chavez transferred to Chapman University in Fall 2020 to study Communication Studies. Thanks to OCC’s supportive professors, staff, and programs like Student Equity and Financial Aid, she became the first in her family to earn a college degree — and earned scholarships to her dream school.
Masamitsu Araki
Transferred to Concordia University Irvine
Masa came to OCC as an international student from Japan. He competed on the Men’s Swim and Dive Team that won second place at the state championship in 2024. Now, he is studying at Concordia University Irvine.
Abner Molina
Transferred to MIT
OCC honors student Abner Molina embraced research opportunities, participating in the Giles T. Brown Student Project and Research Symposium and Pirate’s Plank, where he pitched his business solution, Talyko. Now, he is pursuing his passion for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT.
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