Congratulations to Emily Correia-Lambton, a Citrus College alumna who is succeeding as a field biologist and adjunct instructor!

A native of Long Island, New York, Emily's journey to Citrus College didn't follow a conventional path. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education: Earth Science and a Master of Science in Geoscience, Emily taught several science subjects at a New York high school.

But when she moved to California, she found herself wanting something different that would take her outdoors and be more connected to the environmental field. What stood out about the Citrus College Wildland Resources and Forestry program, she said, was that it was the only program of its kind in the area.

"The affordability of in-state tuition also made it feel like a low-risk way to explore a new direction," she added. "What I didn't expect was how transformative the experience would be for me, both professionally and personally."

Being a returning student was initially intimidating for Emily. She worried about not fitting in or being perceived as the "old person."

"What I found instead was that many students in the forestry program were also mid-career changers, each bringing different life experiences and perspectives," she said. "That shared understanding created a really supportive environment."

While at Citrus College, Emily built strong friendships, had opportunities to travel for field experiences and learned a great deal about California's diverse ecosystems. She also explored the college's noncredit drone technology program.

Emily credited the faculty for being extremely supportive and helping her believe that a career change was possible, even later in life.

"Citrus College played a huge role in helping me rediscover what I'm passionate about, and it offered stability during a major life transition," Emily said.

In June 2025, she graduated with an Associate of Science and Certificate in Wildland Resources and Forestry. Additionally, she earned two certificates from the drone technology program. As of spring 2026, Emily is working as a field biologist and part-time earth science instructor at Citrus College.

"It's never too late to change direction or pursue something new," she said.

On behalf of the campus community, we congratulate Emily for everything she has accomplished. We can't wait to see what she does next!