“I want to use my skills and my platform to provide a better future for my community and people like me.”

Longtime MiraCosta College student. Andres Marin already knows the value of community. And now, as Andres Marin heads back to MiraCosta College to receive his bachelor’s degree in business administration, he has his eyes set on what a degree can do not only for himself but for his community.

“It’s about finding a purpose,” shared Andres. “At MiraCosta College, I’ve found my purpose and now I want to use what I’ve learned to uplift everyone around me.”

Andres Marin's journey to higher education began in the most unlikely of places – while incarcerated. Driven by a desire to transform his life and create a better future for his daughter, Andres dove in head first to higher education. While serving time in Texas, Andres started taking college-level courses and immediately fell in love.

Recalled Andres, “I felt like I was working toward something. It was a feeling that I knew I wanted to continue pursuing no matter what the obstacle was.”

Upon his release, Andres sought a fresh start in Oceanside where friends and family resided. Soon after settling down, Andres enrolled in classes at MiraCosta College and linked up with the Dr. Thao Ha and Ashley Gerdo of the Transitions Program, an initiative that specifically supports people impacted by incarceration. Little did he know, this move would be the catalyst he was longing for.

“What I learned from MiraCosta Costa is that it’s a safe space,” shared Andres. “Coming out of prison, you develop a mindset that other people have a hidden agenda. At MiraCosta College, you are among people who have walked in your same shoes and just want to see you succeed.”

Continued Andres, “Everyone in the Transitions Program is there to support our development, not just as students but as people. That’s a comforting feeling.”

Yet even after all the progress Andres made in those early days, life still presented plenty of chances for him to quit. A parole violation, unemployment, and homelessness tested Andres's resilience. Despite these adversities, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his education. Even when it meant living out of his car and studying for tests while parked in 24/7 parking lots, Andres knew what he wanted.

In order to achieve his dreams, Andres juggled a full courseload while apprenticing at a tattoo shop in Escondido. A skilled artist, Andres had his sights set on building his own company. However, while in school, financial stability remained elusive.

Thankfully, Andres learned about the emergency grant scholarship program through the MiraCosta College Foundation.

“If it wasn’t for the scholarship, I don’t where I would be,” said Andres.

The financial support was a lifeline. When his car broke down, the scholarship enabled him to fix his car, ensuring he could continue attending classes. The foundation's support was not just financial either. It was a testament to the community’s belief in his potential.

Today, Andres is proud of the journey he has taken and what it means for his future. Despite numerous hardships, Andres's unwavering determination is now bearing fruit. His participation in web design and e-commerce classes, as well as an associate degree in entrepreneurship, has equipped Andres with skills to kickstart his own business.

Last year, Andres founded Rose & Art Co., a company aimed at showcasing community art and supporting system-impacted individuals. To Andres, it’s about creating awareness and fostering a future for those formerly incarcerated.

From the confines of a prison cell to the classrooms of MiraCosta College, everyone can make a difference in this world and Andres’ story underscores the resilience of the human spirit.