Ashley Gonzalez attended SBCC for two years before graduating in spring 2025 and earned four degrees: an Associate in Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Associate in Science for Transfer in Early Childhood Education; an Associate in Arts in Arts and Humanities; and an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education. She also earned three certificates: one in Early Childhood Education, the second in Associate Child Care Teaching, and the third, a CSU General Education Breadth Certificate of Achievement.
Ashley participated in the SBCC Promise during the two years she attended, which covered all of the costs of her fees, books, and supplies. Also, in recognition of her academic excellence and achievements, she received a career technical scholarship from the Rotary Club of Montecito in partnership with the SBCC Foundation.
How did the SBCC Promise help you in your academic journey?
The SBCC promise program helped immensely during my two years at SBCC. I graduated from Carpinteria High School in 2023, and without the Promise I would have had to pay for school expenses such as tuition, textbooks, supplies, etc. out- of-pocket. This can be overwhelming for many students who’ve just graduated from high school, especially those of us who are first-generation college students.
In addition to covering costs, the Promise offers lot of workshops and events to help prepare for college, and even for life after SBCC, when it’s time to transfer. This program is so important, as it helps students create a stable and reliable foundation in higher education, and helps provide resources necessary for the journey ahead.
Congratulations on receiving a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Montecito! How has this award been helpful to you?
It was a wonderful experience to receive this scholarship. I was honored to receive the Kati and Peter Buehler Family Early Childhood Education Scholarship, and was nominated by Kathy King and Devona Hawkins, who are two of the most amazing and resourceful teachers at SBCC. They have positively impacted so many students.
I was not expecting to be nominated, and couldn’t believe it until I attended the awards luncheon with my lovely teacher Kathy King. It was an incredible feeling, because I have never been honored in such a way, and being with everyone—the club representatives, SBCC faculty, and other scholarship recipients—made me appreciate SBCC even more. It was such a sweet and heartfelt moment to hear the speeches and see everyone’s smiles. It made me realize that one’s work never goes unseen, and that there are amazing people around me, offering support and appreciation. This scholarship will help with my next steps transfering to CSU Channel Islands to obtain my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies. It’s going directly toward furthering my education, which is something that’s very valuable to me, that no one can take away.
What are you doing now that you’ve graduated, and what are your plans?
After graduating from SBCC and before transferring to CSCI, I had the opportunity to work and take summer classes. I have also participated in local protests against ICE raids in my town, using my voice to speak up for those who can’t. I’m proud to be a part of a community that fights for human rights. As a daughter of two immigrants, I am leading by example and showing that immigrants have a powerful impact in America. Without my parents’ sacrifices and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today with all my academic achievements. I plan to continue my education as a first-generation college student and make my family proud!
