Among the hundreds of College of the Canyons (COC) students who are set to graduate on Friday is someone who realizes the importance of taking small steps to achieve greater success.

Nine years ago, Cinthia Zelaya immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras with the goal of continuing her education in her newly adopted country.

“I felt frustrated,” said Zelaya, “But I realized something: nobody is going to push you if you don’t push yourself.”

When Zelaya first arrived in the States she was unable to speak English and was unfamiliar with the American education system, and even though she already had a college degree, would have to start all over again from square one.

When she first enrolled at COC in 2017, Zelaya earned her GE degree, learned English through the college’s noncredit program, earned five certificates and transitioned to the college’s credit program.

“You have to understand the importance of taking small steps, those small steps will make the difference,” said Zelaya.

On Friday, those small steps are set to lead Zelaya across the COC graduation stage where she is set to receive her associate degree in human resources management.

“We are so proud of Cinthia’s accomplishments,” said Lisa Pavik, director of noncredit enrollment services at the college. “Her success serves as testament to the transformative power the noncredit program can have on people’s lives. She knew her own worth, was persistent and drew on the support of her family to achieve her educational goals.”

While the noncredit program was a critical starting point for Zelaya’s transition, the process was still daunting for the non-native English speaker, according to COC officials.

After attending her first credit class – a business course taught by COC instructor Yasser Issa – Zelaya cried afterward, added officials.

“I didn’t understand anything,” said Zelaya. “The teacher talked really fast, and I got frustrated. In ESL classes, the teacher speaks slowly so that the student can understand.”

Determined to finish what she had started, Zelaya spoke with Issa to explain her unique situation.

“He gave me the opportunity to earn extra credit and that allowed me to help me continue, to not simply throw in the towel,” said Zelaya. “I finished my class with an A.”

When Christina Chung, a COC business instructor, took a special interest in Zelaya, she helped her realize that a career in human resources would best align with her interests and skills.

“They were the pillars of my career,” said Zelaya of Issa and Chung. “I will never forget them because they opened the door to a completely different world where I never thought I’d be capable of entering.”

After Zelaya completed the supervisors’ roadmap and customer relations certificate programs at COC in 2021 she was hired as a supervisor assistant at an aerospace and defense company in Castaic.

“She is a true inspiration to everyone,” said Chung. She always had a positive attitude and was open to learning. She would take what she learned in the classroom and apply it to her workplace and share her progress.  I am so proud of Cinthia.”

Zelaya is set to transfer to California State University Northridge (CSUN) in the fall to study business, according to officials.

“I would like to simply say thank you to everyone who is part of the college,” said Zelaya. “You might look at your job as a normal job, you put in eight hours, and you go home. But the impact you have on the people who come from completely different countries and find a reason and a way to study in this country, it is something priceless. It will forever leave a mark.”

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.