Patrick Karch

In 1976 I left the backwoods of Trinity county in Northern California to attend Shasta Community College in Redding. I didn't have any money and only had hope of what I was going to do with my life.

When I arrived, college staff got me enrolled and lined up with a job on campus. My college community experience was exciting and prepared me for a rewarding career and an enriching hobby that I still enjoy today.
I hope that this same experience can be made available to every student like myself.

Since that time, my children have benefited from our community college.

That is why I support Prop 92 and encourage every Californian to do the same.

Jesse Lyn

I am originally from Hawaii.  I have lived in Idaho, Florida, and Tennessee before moving to San Diego County were I attended Escondido High School. I became a hairstylist and married. 

I have three children, one of whom is attending Palomar College in preparation for a BA degree.  I have been an entrepreneur and my last full time job was working for the sub-prime mortgage industry.  I have been attending Palomar College for years striving to finish my BA degree.  After I lost my job due to the current mortgage crisis two years ago, I decided to obtain my AA here at Palomar as a start toward my ultimate goal. 

While here at Palomar, I have become involved in Phi Theta Kappa, the two year community college honor society, were I am the current Nevada/California Regional Vice President for the Southeast District and the Vice President of Leadership for the Palomar Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Alpha Omega Rho.  I also became active with the Associated Student Government first as a Senator before being elected Vice President last May.  I recently became not only the President of the ASG, I also became the Student Trustee for the Palomar College District were I am continuing to work for all students in our district.   

Ernest Cook

I went to community college after high school mostly because I didn't really have a good handle on what I wanted to do. After quite a while, I finished my graduated with an AA in general education and went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from San Jose State University.

Since leaving college I worked in corporate positions for a large number of years before starting a business in San Jose (Better Idea Group) that leverages all of the knowledge and experience from my education.

Valerie Novak

As a working, single mom, attending community college was my only affordable option for a higher education. I’m proud that I’m attending community college with my daughter, and thankful that we can afford it.

It hasn’t been easy though. A few years ago, fees jumped dramatically when my son, daughter, and I enrolled in our local community college. Paying the fees for three of us was a real struggle.

While I am in school, I work different jobs to make our goals in education possible, both as a trained private chef and a community instructor in food preparation. When I complete my studies at the community college level, I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue my degree in nutritional science. My goal is to achieve the degrees required for a professional dietetic career that will include teaching in the community college system. 

Valerie is the Student Trustee for San Joaquin Delta College.

Stefan Lee

I am the Student Trustee for Los Rios Community College District. I started to go to Sac City College because it was easier to get my AA than try to pay for a UC or CSU since coming from a single parent family I had to support myself. Since I’ve been at Sac City, I have fallen in love with the school, and with the community college system as a whole. I believe that community colleges make for a friendlier environment to get an education and I’m glad I started at a community college. Community college has provided me with an affordable, accessible option to further my education and, hopefully, follow my dream of attending law school and becoming a judge.

Click here to hear Stefan talk about his story and why Prop. 92 is so important to students

Richard Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez attended Cerritos College beginning in 2002 and recently transferred to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as a chemistry major.

When he began at Cerritos College, Rodriguez was working the graveyard shift at In-N-Out as a custodian to support himself and his younger brother while attending school full-time. The long hours began to take a toll on his academic performance.

But Rodriguez soon enrolled in Project HOPE, a federally funded program dedicated to increasing the number of Latinos and other underrepresented groups entering, matriculating, and completing health careers.

Read the rest of Richard’s inspiring story

Bernie Casey

San Diego City College student commencement speaker Bernie Casey, age 48, reminded his fellow students that spring was a time of new beginnings for everyone. Named the #1 community college student in California by the American Association of Community Colleges and one of the top 40 students in the nation by USA Today in 2006, Casey said that his recent achievements and awards were "something he never dreamed possible" in his troubled life.

Read more

News coverage of the campaign launch to lower community college fees without raising taxes.

Watch more videos

Berkeley Elected Officials Make It Unanimous: “YES ON PROPOSITION 92”

Mayor, City Council, and members of all the Boards join with community college students, faculty and trustees.

Business and Taxpayer Groups Across the State Support Proposition 92

Business groups across the state are part of the broad coalition including labor and community organizations, as well as college leaders, advocates, local trustees and students supporting Proposition 92, the Community College Initiative, on the February 5 statewide ballot.