Where Success Stories Are Written
Volume VIII, Issue 2, April 18, 2022
Success stories take different shapes depending on the protagonist. But there’s one
common element: someone changes—often after confronting adversity—and then, someone
grows. SMC in Focus proudly celebrates Santa Monica College’s success stories, in
the form of four students/alum who are shining bright (from Mongolia to NYC & beyond!),
a journalism professor/activist showing the way, and so much more. SMC is where the
best success stories are written!
![Anthony Richardson](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/01-anthony-Richardson-LEAD-02.jpg)
So Much Drama
As Juilliard graduate Anthony Richardson makes his Off-Broadway directorial debut, he reflects on the many ways Santa Monica College ignited his bright future.
![Eddie Enkhbayar](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/02-enkh-Uchral-enkhbayar-LEAD-01.jpg)
Can Mongolia Go Green?
SMC to UCLA transfer Enkh-Uchral “Eddie” Enkhbayar came all the way from Ulaanbaatar to study engineering and help fix his home city’s serious infrastructure problems.
![Ashley Lopez and Alejandro Lee](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/03-Ashley-Lopez-and-Alejandro-Lee-Photo-by-Brandon-Sanchez.jpg)
Born This Way
SMC student Ashley Lopez is challenging perceptions about software engineers and hackers — and what it means to be LGBTQ+.
![Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/04-ashanti-and-her-family-lead-01.jpg)
Journalistic Journey
SMC Professor and Emmy Award-winning journalist Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins helps students sharpen their newsgathering skills while championing freedom of the press.
![Alice Meyering](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/05-Alice-Meyering-01.jpg)
Bragging Rights
SMC’s literary journal has two Pushcart Prize mentions. An Emeritus professor sells her debut novel to an imprint of Penguin Random House. A dance instructor creates meaningful choreography. Read more.
![Maria Hernandez](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-2/images/06-Maria-at-high-school-graduation-LEAD-01.jpg)
A Place to Belong
Brought to the U.S. for medical care at an early age, Maria Hernandez is studying at Santa Monica College to become a nurse and help others.
SMC In the News
Ocean health and the 'blue' economy
Tiffany Haddish: Early Life, Career, & More (HINT: SMC connection!)
SMC & ASU Partner to Offer Transfer Pathways
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