Shalice Gonzalez is the new administrative assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs at Pierce College.
She has a long history of helping people in various jobs. Before coming to Pierce, Gonzalez worked in law
firms for over 20 years, handling many different responsibilities. However, after years in the legal field,
she began to feel burnt out and wanted to focus on helping students and the community.
“I worked in law firms for about 25 years,” she says. “I needed a change. Working in the private sector
was making me feel stressed.”
Gonzalez realized she needed a new path and wanted a job where she could feel fulfilled. Education seemed like the perfect fit. “I really like learning, so I thought working in
education would be great,” she explains. Eventually, she found her position at Pierce College.
Even though she has only been at Pierce for a short time, Gonzalez has made a positive impression on her
coworkers. Lisa Delud, another administrative assistant at Pierce, says, “Shalice is wonderful. She’s
friendly, works well with others, and is always ready to help. She’s learning fast and has been very
supportive to students and staff.” Gonzalez’ positive attitude and willingness to help have made her a
valuable part of the team.
Gonzalez’ new role at Pierce College matches her love for learning. She has two Associate degrees from
Valley College and a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge. However, when she
first started college after high school, she felt unsure about what to study.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Gonzalez admits.
Growing up in Burbank, she remembers not getting much advice about college or choosing a career. “I didn’t know much about taking the SATs or choosing a major.”
She chose Valley College because it was close to home and many of her friends
attended.
For six years, Gonzalez took various classes just for the joy of learning.
“A counselor asked me one day, ‘Are you trying to get a degree?’ because I hadn’t even picked a major,” she laughs.
Even though she didn’t know what career path she would choose, Gonzalez continued to learn because it brought her happiness.
Her love for learning didn’t stop when she finished her degrees. Gonzalez encourages others to pursue their interests and discover their passions.
“It’s never too late to learn something new,” she says.
Gonzalez didn’t always plan to work in an office. At one point, she wanted to become a police officer or a
detective.
“I thought I wanted to be a cop,” she shares. But after a knee injury and reflecting on issues
within law enforcement, she realized that this path wasn’t for her.
“I didn’t like the idea of staying silent when people did something wrong, which made me rethink my plans,” she explains.
Instead of pursuing a career in law enforcement, Gonzalez sought other ways to help her community. She
became involved in volunteer programs like the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), where
she learned how to assist during emergencies.
“If there’s a disaster, we need to be ready to help each other,” she emphasizes.
Gonzalez’ commitment to helping others shines through in everything she does.
“I just like to help,” she says. “When I see someone with a problem, I ask, ‘How can I help?’ That’s just who I am.”
Gonzalez is excited about her new journey at Pierce College. She appreciates the variety of activities
available and loves how beautiful the school is. “This is such a nice campus,” she says. “I love the
gardens and the farm animals.” Her enthusiasm for her new job and the community at Pierce College is
evident. She values the connections she is making and looks forward to being a part of students’
educational experiences.
Right now, Gonzalez is focused on doing her best at her new job. She is happy to be at Pierce College and
is eager to help more students and staff in the future. With her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and
genuine desire to make a difference, Gonzalez is well on her way to becoming a valued member
of the Pierce College community.