Category: Possible

Kory Nokes spent five years behind bars before entering Palomar’s Transitions program for formerly incarcerated students. “Palomar made it possible for me to achieve my true potential,” he says. SAN MARCOS — Not long after being booked into state prison, Kory Nokes realized he was going to be reminded on a daily basis that he…

Continue to: A textbook transition: inmate to student ambassado [..]

David Wilson landed his dream job at Cal State San Marcos after completing the Palomar College Pre-Apprenticeship program for skilled workers. SAN MARCOS — Three years into his student job as an Energy Management and Utility Services assistant at Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM), David Wilson was ready to shift career paths. He was more…

Continue to: ‘Palomar made it possible for me to advance  [..]

“Palomar made it possible for me to pursue my goals on and off the court.” SAN MARCOS — On a recent Friday night at Grossmont College, Julie Saelee played the game of her life so far with the Palomar Comets basketball team, sinking 36 points and setting the school record for most three-pointers in a…

Continue to: Comets guard perfecting the art of the long shot

A former Olympian is preparing for the Palomar College Fire Academy after an eight-year professional volleyball career. SAN MARCOS — At the age of 31, Lynda Morales has already lived the kind of highlight reel most athletes only ever dream of, culminating in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Now she’s ready for her next act…

Continue to: ‘Palomar made it possible for me to pursue firefig [..]

Eduardo Santana had a rough childhood and a rocky education until he came to Palomar College. “Palomar made it possible for me to achieve my dream of making a difference,” he says. SAN MARCOS — When Eduardo Santana graduated from Mission Hills High School in 2012, the odds that he would ever be a college…

Continue to: The education of a social worker: a comeback story

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2017, Isaac Hernandez came to Palomar College with a plan to launch a drone technology company. This summer, he and a partner launched Scout Drone USA. SAN MARCOS — For more than 25 years, Isaac Hernandez served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, moving around the world,…

Continue to: ‘Palomar made it possible for me to start my own b [..]

“Palomar made it possible to make something of my life as a single mother.” SAN MARCOS — Not long after graduating from high school in south Orange County, Laura Szemenyei knew she needed to make a change. She was in trouble with the law, and she knew that the influences in her life were only…

Continue to: Life hasn’t been easy, but Palomar gave her a way  [..]

“Palomar made it possible for me to take my first year of college tuition-free and close to home.” FALLBROOK — As one of the first students to set foot inside a classroom at Palomar College’s new Fallbrook Education Center, Melissa Barrera graduated high school with perfect timing. In the spring of 2018, when Barrera was…

Continue to: Palomar Promise and Fallbrook campus make for a go [..]