ASPIRE Success

Hi, my name’s Philip Ky. I began my first semester here in Fall 2022, and I was able to join the ASPIRE program almost immediately. ASPIRE supported me to complete my educational goals at EVC in multiple ways. First of all, I am grateful to counselor Hang Chu for assisting me in laying out a foundation for all the courses I needed to take at EVC. She also helped with my transfer process to San Jose State U. Along with program coordinator Vivian Yabumoto, the two of them also lent me textbooks for all my classes which saved me a great deal of money. The ASPIRE program kept me accountable for my grades with a progress report each semester to ensure that I wasn't falling behind in any courses.

I finished my last semester at EVC in Spring 2024 and graduated with a major in accounting. I’m now at SJSU. My educational goals are to graduate with a bachelor's degree after finishing my remaining year at SJSU, and I plan to continue school for a master's degree. Career wise, I am not sure exactly what department in accounting I would like to pursue, but I hope to find a job in the future that allows me to work from home. My experience at EVC was wonderful thanks to the ASPIRE program which has helped me academically succeed. 
 

Hi, I’m Hoang Yen To. My first semester at EVC was in spring 2022, and I joined ASPIRE in fall 2022. My experience in the ASPIRE Program has been incredibly meaningful. ASPIRE gave me a deep sense of belonging and exceptional support. I highly appreciate receiving guidance from Counselor Hang Chu. Dedicated to students, Counselor Chu helped me create a comprehensive ed-plan, encouraged me to explore different career pathways, guided me through the application process to San Jose State University (SJSU), and wrote a letter of recommendation to support my scholarship applications. Her experiences as a Vietnamese-American woman resonate with me, and she has inspired me to become an academic counselor. 

Last year, I transferred to SJSU as a psychology major with a 4.0 GPA. My career goals are to work as an academic counselor and a yoga instructor. My advice to new students at EVC is that they should connect with any of the many EVC student support programs and resources and reach out to faculty and staff when they need help or are in doubt about something that might prevent them from continuing their educational pathway. I’d tell them, “Don’t give up trying and learning. EVC has many programs and support to help you succeed in your coursework and chosen career!”  
 

Hello! My name’s Duc Tran. Five years ago, my family and I left Vietnam for the U.S. to purse the American dream. We faced numerous challenges as we settled into our newly adopted country due to my limited English skills and our family’s financial limitations. Fortunately, Evergreen Valley College (EVC) became our beacon of hope. In the ASPIRE program, I found a lifeline of support. ASPIRE not only nurtured my academic aspirations but also offered practical assistance, from book borrowing privileges to graduation attire loans. Their dedicated counselor and ASPIRE classes provided critical personal and academic guidance and academic pathways, helping me navigate the complexities of higher education and reach my dream of becoming a nurse. After graduating from EVC in May 2023, I applied to four nursing programs, all of which accepted me. I’m now in my last year at San Jose State University’s nursing program and working as a nurse assistant. I’m profoundly grateful to EVC and ASPIRE. 

Hi! I’m Nate Yabumoto. Currently, I’m in my third semester at San Jose State University majoring in accounting. As a new student at EVC, I joined ASPIRE in fall 2021 and was really glad I did because I got the support I needed. The ASPIRE counselor, Ms. Hang, advised me on classes I needed to take and helped me create a class schedule every semester. She also recommended certain professors for certain courses because she’s very knowledgeable about courses needed to transfer and about instructors at EVC. As an ASPIRE student, I had book loan privileges and ASPIRE scholarships. The ASPIRE Tutoring was a good space for me to hang out and study.

Being in the ASPIRE program put me on the path to transfer and prepared me for the coursework at SJSU. I got used to Canvas and learned skills to be a better student. I really recommend you try your best to go to all your classes. If you get stuck on an assignment, don’t hesitate to go to the professor to ask for help or ask questions. If you have time and are able to go to events on campus, go. I volunteered at many ASPIRE events. I ran errands, served food, helped set up and pack up before and after the events. In doing so, I got to see many special presentations and learned stuff. And sometimes the professors gave extra credits for students who attended campus events. I encourage you to go to events at EVC because I learned a lot from them, and you will too.