Shout out to Majin Perez, a journalism and physics major who found his passion at Citrus College.

While attending Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, Majin signed a contract to enlist in the U.S. Navy. Determined to stay on track for graduation, he made up needed credits at Del Mar High School. "I failed many classes and, even at Del Mar, I didn't take my studies seriously," he said. "The final week of school, I had to stay up and work to finish every assignment so I wouldn't break my contract with the Navy."

After fulfilling his contract, Majin admits he was a bit aimless. "I spent a year living in my car until I ran out of money and couldn't find another job," he remembers. "I went back to my mom's house and decided to buckle down and work. I wanted to try and start some sort of business."

However, his attempt to launch a sneaker resale company fell short, so he decided to refocus and fully commit to academic pursuits. Although he had other college options, he says choosing Citrus College was the right decision. "I feel happy when I'm here," he said. "The staff are unparalleled in quality of service, and I want for nothing."

Relatively new to campus, Majin says his classes have been "enlightening." He has also found the student support services to be helpful. "As a veteran, I often stop by the Veterans Success Center to grab a snack and study," he said. "In addition, the basic needs office gave me a $100 gift card to Stater Bros. and counselor Maria Rodriguez dedicated an inordinate amount of effort into helping me plan my path to USC."

Majin plans on earning associate degrees for transfer in both journalism and physics by the end of the fall 2027 semester. Ultimately, he hopes to dedicate himself to "unraveling secrets" and writing. "I see myself delving into topics that require intense research and fact-checking," he said. "I want to uncover truths and cultural narratives yet untold and codify them in volumes that make a difference around the world – today and tomorrow."

Now that he has found his passion, Majin says he doesn't want to squander this opportunity. "I often wasted my younger self's potential," he said. "I don't want to fall into that trap again. I want to take full advantage of any opportunity where I feel that I can make a difference."

Thank you for allowing Citrus College to be part of your journey, Majin. We can't wait to see what your future holds!