David Ayala
Working in the Pierce College bookstore warehouse since 2007, David Ayala unpacks the shipment of boxes he receives and separates the materials into different sections for the sales people to pick up and put on display.
“I used to be a equipment manager and locker room attendant for West L.A. College,” Ayala says.
Ayala is a father of two boys...
Zarrin Paidor
Story by: Jonathan Pineda
Sitting in her comfortable black desk chair with her arms out in front of her as she types away at the front desk of the Center for Academic Success, Zarrin Paidor, an educational counseling senior office assistant at Pierce College, is focused on her computer, booking students for their tutoring sessions for later on in the...
Former Self-defense Instructor Will Fight For Your Career
Counselors are given the job to aid students and give them the tools and resources they need to change their lives for the better. In a minimalistic office in the Student Center building is a counselor that carries this ability.
Thomas Rodriguez puts the struggling student who is trying to decide which career path to follow at ease with...
Language Professor Wears Many Hats
His casual faded black T-shirt is well fitted to his lean build. Charcoal silver hair falls down to his shoulders shaping his tan face with so few lines. He is a modest looking man, down-to-earth and approachable and while interacting with students or co-workers he is attentive and knowledgeable. It is clear that Fernando Oleas’ passion lies in teaching...
Living a life of music
James Elza Domine is a San Fernando Valley born conductor and well-established musician. He teaches a number of string and guitar courses at Pierce while also playing a large selection of instruments including piano, guitar, violin and viola.
“Most people’s lives, where you end up, is a combination of where your parents are to start with and where your education...
A Stand-up Educator
Backlit by morning light, a figure sits at a desk in a modest office situated by a winding row of spanish-style bungalows. The muted grey and cream colors of the office walls contrast with the beaming smile hidden behind a black Dell computer monitor.
At 6 a.m. political science professor Denise Robb arrives each day to Pierce’s campus with...
Teaching students on what they can do as welders
Photo by: Diego Barajas
As he stands tall wearing Celtic wristbands laid under his skin, grey facial hair, and brown leather work boots, he has returned to the campus with familiarity. Teaching on the Pierce College campus for nine years, Gary Wheeler, certified in L.A. city structural steel, L.A. city reinforcing steel, and California State certification, is a welding instructor teaching his class how...
Communications professor helps students overcome fears
Being 10,000 feet in the air, to the sight of a hairy, eight legged tarantula to speaking in front of a crowd of people, these ideas define some of peoples greatest fears.
Helping students overcome the fear of public speaking, Communications Professor Bill Buchynski, has worked on LACCD campuses for 12 years, teaching for 20.
Wearing a plaid shirt, khaki pants...
Pursuing The Sport With A Passion
Nabil Mardini worked diligently in his office dressed in his signature heather gray Pierce College volleyball shirt and khaki pants to match. Accompanying his relaxed appearance was a welcoming grin.
Mardini is the women’s volleyball coach at Pierce College who has been coaching for the past 15 years. Having had experience in the game in Lebanon, he moved to the...
Mitra Hoshiar
Sunset at the Malibu Beach shore is a dance of color and light. Birds fly in coordination with ocean waves like a window to paradise. The wind conquers the weak waves of late winter and the sun sinks to the ocean. Playful children run away from their parents while trying to reach out to the waves. Seagulls fly freely,...