From the punk show to the classroom
Pierce College English Professor standing in his office in Woodland Hills Calif., holding some memorabilia from his time as lead singer and guitarist for punk band Still Life. Photo by Cameron Kern
Blue dyed hair, skin-tight jeans, ear piercings, skull tattoos and fast-paced strumming of guitar strings- these are just some...
Finding culture through Anthropology
Erin Hayes holds a Russian nesting doll, surrounded by other cultural items in her office on Mar. 16, 2019 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.
The saying is to always take the road less traveled. This mantra is often found on coffee cups and bumper stickers with good intentions that are rarely...
Candy Van Can
Buried behind a mountain of papers and bookstore receipts, a petite woman types furiously on her smartphone and tries to get some work done despite the constant interruptions of students and staff members who come to visit her. What she lacks in size she makes up for with a big personality and an even bigger smile.
Working for the Student...
Pierce’s resident “surfer dude”
Most weekend mornings, second generation surfer Sean McDonald arrives at Malibu State Beach at 6 a.m. in his wetsuit to carve waves on one of his 38 surfboards.
The quiet time on the mostly empty beaches soothe him and give balance to his life.
“The feeling...
Simon says
There is a moment at the start of Greg Simon’s physical anthropology class when a spark goes off, as he finishes reminding students of deadlines and begins his lecture.
As the term “natural selection” leaves Simon’s lips, his eyes widen and the corners at his mouth turn up in excitement, while he begins to discuss his passion.
The Pierce College...
More than just an anthropology professor
Anthropology professor Brian Pierson stands with his posse of skeletons in the Anthropology building at Pierce College. Photo by: David Paz
His office is a small cubicle, simple, organized and grey space. Three things stand out, two frames that display a Neanderthal and the Menino Lepedo child, and him.
He wears an eggplant purple shirt with beaded necklaces to celebrate the...
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...
From Carnegie Hall to Pierce’s Great Hall
A velvety, deep crimson carpet covers the seating area lined with rows of chairs. The eager audience faces a glamorous spectacle. A cream-colored stage is accentuated with glimmering gold touches lining the nooks and crannies of the walls.
A solo vocal fills the room.
Performing arts professor...
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...
Coach to Cubs scout
Chicago native Bob Lofrano sits in his office in the North Gym, leisurely typing player reports for current and prospective MLB athletes. With his tan, leathery skin, and his small, wire framed glasses, Lofrano’s eyes are fixed on his computer. Chicago Cubs memorabilia adorn his office as he prepares himself for a busy day, jampacked with sporting activities.
With flashbacks...