Victoria Dominguez says that SBCC laid the foundation for her education. After attending for two years and finishing her coursework in 2016, she transferred to UCSB and earned a BA in psychology. “SBCC was an essential stepping stone in my journey toward earning that degree,” she said.
Moving to Santa Barbara from Simi Valley to attend SBCC was the best decision she could have made for her educational journey, Victoria says. “There’s so much to love about SBCC, but for me, the most amazing aspect was the community. The professors truly cared about their students, and that kind of personal attention made all the difference. I always felt supported, whether it was in the classroom or during late-night study sessions at the library. My professors weren’t just there to teach; they were invested in our success, and that made a huge impact on my confidence as a student.”
Victoria says she also benefited greatly from the affordability and accessibility of SBCC. Attending a four-year university right out of high school wasn’t financially feasible for her, and SBCC allowed her to start her higher education journey without the overwhelming burden of student debt.
After graduating from UCSB, Victoria started her career in nonprofit development at United Way of Santa Barbara County, which gave her a chance to give back to the community that had quickly become truly special to her. In January 2023, she took on a new role as Development Manager at the SBCC Foundation.
“It has been an incredible experience being able to support the very college that shaped my journey, and feels like everything has come full circle. Now I get to help students achieve their dreams, just as SBCC helped me achieve mine, and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
When asked about her favorite classes and experiences at SBCC, Victoria said that one of her most memorable classes was astronomy with Sean Kelly. She originally took it simply to fulfill a course requirement, but it ended up being a class she truly loved. “The hands-on experiences, like using telescopes and the planetarium at the Natural History Museum, made learning so unique and engaging. I still think back on it fondly.”
It was also at SBCC that she took her first psychology class, and that’s when everything clicked. Learning about the brain and human behavior was fascinating to her, and it inspired her to pursue a degree in psychology. She says SBCC gave her the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects, which ultimately led her to discovering a passion for psychology.
“I owe so much of my success to SBCC,” Victoria said. “It’s where I gained confidence in both my abilities and myself. Now, as part of the SBCC Foundation team, I have the incredible privilege of helping other students discover that same confidence and success. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do at the Foundation, and I look forward to continuing to give back to the community that has given me so much. SBCC didn’t just prepare me to transfer to UCSB—it set me up for life.”
