After nearly three decades, a Santa Clarita veteran is set to graduate from College of the Canyons (COC) with a degree that had been postponed due to math anxiety. 

For 25 years, Daniel Andrade’s math anxiety was one of the main obstacles preventing him from earning a college degree, according to COC officials.

With assistance from the Veterans Affairs program and the College of the Canyons Academic Accommodation Center (AAC), Andrade was able to finish the final two math courses he had to take to obtain an associate’s degree in real estate.

“It still hasn’t hit me,” said Andrade, who is set to be graduating on June 2. “I went to pick up my cap and gown and got a little bit emotional when I saw it. I have been trying to get my degree for over 25 years.”

Andrade, a high school student-athlete, overcame his math phobia by enrolling in developmental courses and utilizing a tutor. 

But after joining the Moorpark College wrestling squad, Andrade discovered he was unable to pass the math test.

“I kept procrastinating,” said Andrade. “I could do all the other courses, but something about math just paralyzed me, so I kept putting it off.”

But when Andrade got injured from wrestling, he gave up entirely.

“When you get seriously injured it’s very discouraging,” said Andrade. “I just did some odd jobs to keep me financially afloat.”

Andrade joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998, serving as a special operations instructor at Camp Pendleton. In response to 9/11, he was called into action in 2002.

Enemy fire during a military operation sent Andrade flying through a structure. 

“I basically destroyed my right knee,” said Andrade, who was honorably discharged in 2003 as a result of his disabling injuries.

Andrade suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of three concussions he received during his six years of military service. His math phobia was only made worse by his accident.

“One side of your brain will just shut off,” said Andrade, who has trouble with memory retention and concentration. “I guess that’s just me for math. I am confident in many other aspects, but when it comes to school, I am kind of handicapped.”

Andrade and his three children moved to Santa Clarita in 2005 after returning to civilian life, and he obtained his real estate license in 2009. 

Andrade, who is a full-time housing solutions case manager at Mercy House, claims that his personal experience with homelessness is what first sparked his enthusiasm for real estate. 

Thoughts of his unfinished college degree persisted in the back of his mind despite his success as a realtor.  

“At first I thought the money and the success from real estate will fill that void in my heart, but I always wanted to be an instructor,” said Andrade. “That was my mission in life.”

Andrade decided it was time to finish what he had started once he discovered that COC offered a real estate associate degree program. 

In order to finish the requisite math courses for the degree, Andrade enrolled at COC in 2008. 

Andrade met with Jesse Vera, an adjunct veterans counselor, to develop a study plan to assist him to pass the remaining math courses after learning about the college’s Veterans Affairs program. 

“It is no secret that many veterans struggle with transitioning from military to civilian life,” said Vera. “Daniel understood the value of seeking assistance and actively reached out to the college’s faculty and staff to help him navigate his educational journey.”

Andrade had one more math course to take, Business 201: Principles of Accounting, after finishing the Math 100 Liberal Arts course in the fall of 2021. 

Andrade had already enrolled in the course three times and left each time.

“I just couldn’t do it,” said Andrade. “I would end up dropping the class two weeks later.”

Andrade tried the course again after the COVID-19 outbreak when classes were delivered online. 

However, he found it challenging to travel during rush hour from his place of employment in Ventura to his home in Camarillo in order to be on time for his OnlineLIVE lesson.

“That was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Andrade.

Andrade turned to his AAC counselor, Dr. Stephanie Lee, for assistance after being defeated and bringing his two daughters along.

The AAC attempts to give disabled students a setting that is intellectually interesting and inspires them to realize their full potential. 

“I told her I was trying my best,” said Andrade. “She closed the door and I basically broke down. I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I need to move on with my life and finally complete this degree. I am going to be 85 years old talking about how I have two classes left.'”

Andrade described how Lee pulled out a notepad, rolled up her sleeves, and worked with him for two hours to come up with a fresh course of action. 

“She heard me,” said Andrade. “She knew I was severely traumatized from active duty and she said, ‘I will walk with you every step of the way, I will do whatever I can.’”

Lee advised him to sign up for a course that was entirely online so that he could finish it at his own pace and on his own time. 

“I thought ‘Where were these classes all my life?,’” said Andrade. 

In December 2022, Andrade finally passed the math course. 

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Andrade. “I was overwhelmed with emotion.”

Lee says she feels honored that Andrade placed his trust in her as a counselor. 

“Daniel stands out to me as one of the most hard working and persistent students I have ever worked with,” said Lee. “He was always very respectful and took whatever guidance I had to offer to heart. I am truly very proud of Daniel’s accomplishments. He worked so hard and finally accomplished his goal.”

Andrade’s military training, according to Vera, surely had an impact on his tenacity and drive. 

“Yet, what truly set Daniel apart was his remarkable ability to seek assistance when he needed it,” said Vera. “It brings me a lot of joy to see Daniel accomplish his goals, especially with the help of our campus community, because we all get to share in his accomplishments.”

Now that he has an associate’s degree, Andrade hopes to someday work as an instructor of real estate at COC.

Ask for assistance, advises Andrade to anyone having trouble passing a particular course. 

“Just be open and be honest,” said Andrade. “You have to set up a support system. This can’t be done alone.”

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