This Is My Story

The Ivelina Petkova Story: How Fullerton College helped her adjust to life in America

My name is Ivelina Petkova and I was born in Bulgaria (Easter European country located on the Black Sea Coast). I lived in Germany for many years before I came to the United States. I won a green card through a lottery. Yes I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true. There is a green card lottery for many countries, and every year the american government gives 55,000 green cards to people from all over the world. I truly belive that everything happens for a reason and destiny borught me to the United States. I willl never forget my first day here, May 5th, 2007. I came by myself with only two suitcases and I didn't speak any English.
The first days were very hard. I cried a lot. In Germany I was successful with my studies, had a good job, close friends, and my own place to live. In my heart there was something missing and I was sad. I had to start learning English so I could continue on with my life. I started working at a McDonalds. I didn't know what the word "spoon" meant, but a few months later I was taking Drive Thru Orders. My English was getting better, but after six months I decided to register for an ESL (English as a Second Language) class at Fullerton College.
Susan Vincent was and still is my counselor. EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program Services) is an amazing program that has helped me since my first semester at Fullerton College. Arthur Hui and Kathi Johnson were the first teachers who helped me get a good start and motivated me to learn English. After I completed my ESL class, I transferred to Enlish 100 and Amy Dickinson pushed me hard to learn reading and writing. This helped me get a customer service job which helped me develop even better grammar, spelling, and reading skills. Later when I took English 103, Mr. Miguel Powers never separated me from the group, even though I spoke with a European accent. I was treated amazingly by him and my classmates. With these new skills I received a better job at the John Wayne Airport.
Yesterday I started my third and last year at Fullerton College. I am trying to keep my GPA over a 3.6 and I am almost ready to transfer. Unfortunately, with the budget cuts at CSUF I will have to wait. I appreciate Fullerton College Foundation for giving me a $500 scholarship. My major is International Business. My passion is learning about other languages and foreign cultures. I love working with people from all over the world. I hope I will be able to finish my studies on time.
I just would like to tell all the sudents who start at Fullerton College, "Never give up. Believe in yourself and do it. The magic power of positive thinking will help you succeed."

Dave Marzan, FC Alum now attending NY University School of Medicine!

My name is Dave Marzan and I attended FUllerton College from 2004-2007. I started my college education as a Liberal Arts major without a clear direction of my academic future. After taking basic biology 101 with Dr. Wu and Basic Chemistry with Dr. Bianchino, I became deeply interested in the scientific world. I continued my interest by taking numerous courses with Dr. Young, Feaster, and Collins. I decided transferring to UC San Diego would be a good fit for my interests. Dr. Young and Feaster obliged by writing me letters of recommendations.
In my subsequent three years at UC San Diego, I decided to major in Neurosciences and Physiology, worked as a laboratory assistant, earned a position on the Dean's list for my academic performance, went to Cornell for a summer internship and was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
If it was not for the foundation and guidance I received at Fullerton College this would of not been possible. I graduated from UCSD in 2009 with a 3.5 GPA and applied to New York University School of Medicine. I am now living in Manhattan and starting my second year of doctoral studies here at NYU. I have come a long way since Fullerton College.
Thank you Fullerton College, for all the invaluable opportunities that you presented to me. No matter where I go and do, I will always remember where I came from.

Dave Marzan

Judith Goffin's Story- Summer of '71

I went back to Fullerton College the summer of 1971, after taking time off from college to have a family, which is how things were done in the 60s and 70s. I needed some units to matriculate to CSUF- which at that time had just become a University and not a State College.

It is strange how one instructor can really change your life and your outlook on humanity and your personal responsibility to the planet where you live. Now that may sound pompous, but it is truthful.

In a class of about one-hundred students, in walks a young man— he was probably in his late 20s or early 30s, dressed in shorts and biking gear and introduces himself. And that is how Mark Parratt came into my life.

It was summer, so most of my studying was done poolside while keeping an eye on my kids, who were great swimmers.

I was truly fascinated with the class Man and His Environment---it really changed my way of thinking about the environment, how I could personally make a change and how to live my life with respect for planet Earth.

Mark spoke on everything from how to handle waste products, how to purchase a car that was friendly to the environment, the tundra and how the forests maintain their ecological balance.

I still have that picture in my head about how the trees managed to survive after fires. I can’t pick up an acorn, tree seed pod without thinking that this is the beginning of another forest.

And, he spoke of the rain forest way before it made headlines in the print and electronic Media. As a re-entry student, I thought wow; this is the beginning of my educational journey.

When, I was trying to get Mark’s last name, to prepare this article, Bruce Cordell, PhD, Dean of Natural Sciences at Fullerton College, said “Few folks remain with memories back that far, sadly.” But, I am still here and remember Mark’s teachings as I incorporate them into my life to this day.

I pay attention to how and when to water my garden, using compost to maintain an ecological balance for my plants and planted trees to give back oxygen into the planet and my life—they are very tall now after 40 years.

And, I have had a vegetable garden and fruit trees, all these years, which makes me happy and has encouraged my grandson to always say, “what is there to pick today?’ when he comes to visit.

I researched what is the best use of electricity, using compact florescent bulbs, and continue to return bottles and cans. I don’t get newspapers delivered anymore, although I loved reading the ads, but view most everything on the Internet (which was not available in the 70s), how things have changed. I plan local neighborhood travel using my car as efficiently as I can. Although, actually in the 60s and 70s a Sunday afternoon drive was part of Americana.

I don’t remember what kind of grade I got in the class, but remember that the summer of ‘71 changed my life and that of my family and friends. I loved talking about how rich our environment was and how individually we could protect it for our future.

I think over the last 40 years, we have done a pretty good job of preserving the environment, although others say not.

From my point of view, Man and His Environment was a class that impacted my life and continues to influence me, thanks to the engaging, energetic, informative instructor Mark Parratt. I’m glad I took his class the summer of ’71.

-Mark Parratt is a retired professor emeritus of environmental biology at Fullerton College. His recently published book, "Fate is a Mountain" recounts the adventures of him and his ranger family in Glacier Park during the 1950s and '60s. The following is a link to a recently published article by Parratt for the Great Falls Tribune in Montana: http://bit.ly/dt6qJF

The Gabriel Steven Cota Fullerton College Story

Gabe was a student at Fullerton College from Fall 2005 until Spring 2009. Throughout his time, it has been an arduous journey of self-discovery and personnel growth that ultimately proved to be a fulfilling experience. He initially entered as a Theatre Major focusing with the intention to be an actor, but having assimilated into the FC Theatre Arts Department he was able to draw out more than he could anticipate.

Gabe auditioned and performed for a number of shows on the campus, and served in crew positions that exponentially increased his show-count if he would have only acted. Through technical theatre he experimented different aspects from helping with set/costume pieces to being backstage crew. He worked with the department's mentoring group the Theatre Ambassadors for two years, which in turn motivated him to work even harder to "pay his dues."


The most meaningful path to him was the costume route, because despite entering knowing nothing he steadily rose through the ranks. His reliability and determination did not go unnoticed as his efforts earned multiple accomplishments. His proudest highlights were the Black Apron (2008) and Paul Scop Awards (2009), because he never would have imagined that he would be valued so greatly.


Gabe was exceptionally grateful for FC’s patient, dedicated staff. Not only did they help him realize his limitations, but they also taught him to not feel inferior about such weaknesses. He learned that it is possible to overcome them through the right perseverance and the latent attributes he never knew he had. Upon graduating, he earned an AA in Theatre Arts and a Costume Wardrobe Certificate. Gabe's experience with Fullerton College has instilled a great sense of pride and self-reliance that will prevent him from slumping the next time the odds are against him.

Luz Jimenez' story

Luz Jimenez, a sophomore at Fullerton College, was nominated for the Women of Distinction and won the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. 

She wears the pin now, and shares her FC story with everyone she meets.

She started her journey with the Women’s Tennis Team, her brother Rudy Jimenez studied here and played tennis for the team as well, so she made the decision of coming here first, and later transfer to a 4-year university.

What she likes about Fullerton College is that it is open to diversity, “From the high school graduates, people that stayed after getting their degrees and the ones that come back, as well as international students, you learn different perspectives,” said Jimenez, “it opens your eyes to see that everyone is trying as hard as you are.”

                                                              Alex Avina,The Hornet

Strong backhand: Luz Jimenez playing for the Fullerton College Women's Tennis Team                                                                                                                               

She received small scholarships from her Villa Park High School and her church to enter Fullerton and was able to enter Fullerton College. For her, FC is a family, “I heard that other Community Colleges are not as ‘warm’, here people are friendly, willing to help,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez wanted to be involved in as many activities as possible. When she was a freshman she was accepted in the Honors Program, where classes are more challenging, personalized and require a certain high GPA from the student. She took one Economics class during her first year.

She majored in Architecture at first, and found really helpful teachers like Dr. Morgan and Dr. Thomas along the way. “They helped me with the process of planning the right classes so I would use my time efficiently,” Jimenez said.

She also was part of Project GPS, that helps student get involved with the field of their interest, in areas like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Hands-on acitvities and counselors helped her set and keep a goal in mind and narrow down her possibilities. After a year being part of the project she changed her major to Engineering Physics.

Now, Jimenez tutors other students that want to be in the project. They were just getting started with the project when she joined them: “I grew with them,” said Jimenez.

“I love FC, I really do. There are many resources, everyone is able to succeed if they are willing to put the effort, here everyone is taken care of,” said Jimenez

When Jimenez transfers, she wants to get involved in athletics too, like tennis or rowing to keep herself active.  Two of her teachers, in Math and Physics, wrote letters of recommendation for Loyola Marymount University and Santa Clara University, two of her transfer choices.

Jimenez will graduate by the end of Spring 2010, but she takes wonderful memories with her. “You’re on your own as an individual but you also influence and inspire students."

One las thought from her:  "Even if you want to, you can’t really rely on anyone since each one is following their own path” said Jimenez , “people come and go and you can only take the amazing experiences and memories that were shared with them.”

What it is like to work for Fullerton College Foundation

This is a job that I really enjoy. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to work for Fullerton College Foundation. I get to meet wonderful people in the FullertonCollege's surrounding communities. I have been working on putting together an advisory board consisting of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members that really care about education. I really enjoy hearing stories about the history of the college and important relationships that were built there. I also enjoy seeing students receive scholarships for their hard earned achievements. So many students work so hard to succeed! - Nissa Foster