Kim Holland

Upon graduating from Glendora High School in 1968, I took the path of least resistance … and enrolled at Citrus College.  However, after earning a B- in a Personal and Social Adjustment class in my first semester, I dropped out and went to work full time.  Soon after, I married my high school beau, had two sons, and spent the next five years being a full-time mom.  Then a major crisis hit.  My older son Jamie became ill with and subsequently died from cancer.

This event brought me to a new place in my life. I felt the need to do something, but I wasn’t quite sure what that would be. I did know that Jamie’s psychologist at Children’s Hospital had been a big help in helping us deal with the multitude of issues associated with a terminal illness -- the struggle of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and ultimately Jamie’s death. His influence on me was profound. I decided I wanted to do what he was doing, so I returned to Citrus College to study psychology. 

Returning to school at 27 years old, I felt no small amount of intimidation and anxiety. I didn’t know if I could compete with the younger students, especially when I had been a mediocre student ten years prior. However, the faculty I encountered at Citrus were supportive and encouraging, and even though
I had a fire under me, they helped fanned the flames.  Looking back, despite completing two post-graduate degrees, the level of faculty involvement and competency at universities was never higher than at Citrus College.  I paid for my college tuition and books by working with disabled infants and toddlers in their homes, providing the developmental stimulation they needed to progress. 

I returned to Citrus as a consultant in the Child Development Center after completing my education and getting my Marriage, Family & Child Counseling license.  For more than 20 years, I have served in several capacities here, including as an instructor, and now I’m the director of Workforce Development. Along the way, I have successfully written more than $8 million in grants for the college and helped Citrus achieve the Green Campus Leadership Award for California Community Colleges. It wasn’t always easy, but it has been very gratifying.  

Citrus College allowed me to return to higher education and succeed.  It was my chance to create career opportunities and life choices that I would not otherwise have had.  Citrus College will always be in my heart.