Kevin Muto says that SBCC played a major role in his finding a career path and becoming financially independent. He was raised in Peru and graduated from high school there before coming to SBCC and taking courses while working two jobs. He graduated in 2020 and transferred to UCSB, earning a degree with a double major in communication and sociology.
“At SBCC I benefited from incredible support from so many people,” Kevin said. “I received guidance and assistance from the Office of Financial Aid, understanding professors, the Basic Needs Center, services at the Luria Library, and COVID-19 Emergency Grant funding through the SBCC Foundation.” He has fond memories of arriving early to class and looking out the window to stare at the ocean. Even though he had a full day of classes and shifts at his two jobs ahead of him, he felt grateful to be attending a college that, in addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, “believes in and truly sees its students.”
When Kevin lost one if his jobs during the pandemic, SBCC helped keep him going. “I was fed, clothed, and supported, which gave me the strength to get back on my feet and eventually graduate from UCSB debt-free.”
“My classes at SBCC were challenging, engaging, and rewarding,” Kevin said. “Thanks to my extraordinary professors, including Dr. Darin Garard and Rebecca Davis, I was so well prepared that classes at UCSB felt significantly easier.”
Kevin now serves at the Scholarship Manager for the SBCC Foundation. He loves his work and says, “I feel grateful beyond words for the opportunity to come back to serve my alma mater. SBCC has done so much for me I feel incredibly lucky for having the opportunity to give back to the school that has already given me so much.” He adds that it’s not a surprise that he’s drawn to work in the educational realm.
“I did a lot of volunteering during my time in Peru, and it was very eye-opening to see the impact inequality and lack of education can have on populations, and how it can hold them back. As a difficult child into my teen years, I experienced the patience and kindness of my family members, teachers, mentors, and friends. This furthered my passion to give back — to believe in people and support their pursuit of education. Taking into account my background, it’s not a coincidence that since I moved to the U.S., I’ve almost always had at least one job related to childcare and/or education.”
