Rodriguez at UC Davis graduation |
“Enrolling at Cañada was one of the best decisions I have
ever made,” he said.
At Cañada, Rodriguez met Amelito Enriquez, professor of
engineering and mathematics, and Cathy Lipe, director of the school’s Math,
Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) Program. “Dr. Enriquez and Cathy Lipe
were two of the most influential people in my life. Dr. Enriquez is not only an
engineering professor, he is a mentor who genuinely takes an interest in his
students and their personal development. Cathy encouraged me to apply for
scholarships and attend university tours which led to my decision to apply to
UC Davis.”Rodriguez said the courses he took at Cañada prepared him for the rigorous nature of the UC system and allowed him to transition seamlessly into his upper division courses at UC Davis. He also spent a fraction of the cost compared to his classmates who spent their first two years at Davis.
“At Cañada, I not only obtained the knowledge, I also
developed the skills to be successful at a four-year university,” Rodriguez
said. Rodriguez not only grew as a student at Cañada, but also as a leader. He
served in leadership positions in student government, the school’s Robotics
Club, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
“Chris is a student who takes full advantage of
opportunities to get the most out of his academic experience by participating
in a number of enrichment programs like the Summer Engineering Institute where
I first met him when he was a freshman, as well as the NSF (National Science
Foundation) scholarship and the NASA summer research internship,” Enriquez
said. “He has a genuine desire to give back to Cañada and help others succeed,
serving as a student assistant in the Summer Engineering Institute every summer,
even after he transferred to UC Davis”
This past summer, Rodriguez graduated from UC Davis with an
engineering degree and is currently applying for entry level mechanical
engineering positions. He aspires to become a project director in the automotive
or manufacturing industry. Lipe said he continues to stay engaged with the
Cañada College STEM Center to encourage current students on their path to
become engineers.
“Cañada is a great option to begin your academic career,” he
said. “I would tell students to take advantage of the resources at Cañada. The
staff and faculty are knowledgeable and prepared to help you get ahead in your
career.”
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