When George Gorges first enrolled at MiraCosta College, he wasn’t entirely sure he would stick with it. “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” he said. “I had a lot of doubts.”

After moving from Modesto to San Diego during the pandemic, Gorges began taking classes online, though he was still unsure about his direction and whether college was the right path for him. “I was kind of a poor student, I wasn’t that good,” he said. “I went to a continuation school, so I didn’t really expect much.”

At one point, that uncertainty led Gorges to step away. “I had to take a gap year,” he said.

But when he returned, something shifted. Through a combination of supportive professors and meaningful connections with classmates, Gorges began to see himself and his future differently. “When I came back, I met some of my friends here, and I had a very nice professor who helped inspire me,” he said. “That made me want to continue and actually made me believe in myself.”

That professor was Dr. Lemee Nakamura, whose positive attitude and encouragement helped Gorges feel comfortable engaging and asking questions in her math class.

Over time, his confidence, and his academic performance, grew. Gorges became more involved on campus, joining the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the college’s computer science club.

Through the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, Gorges gained access to additional academic support, internships, and built a strong network of peers. Most importantly, it was through hands-on projects in MESA that he began to narrow his career focus.

Now, Gorges is preparing to transfer to continue his studies in electrical and computer engineering.

Looking back, he credits much of his growth to stepping outside of his comfort zone and building relationships with others. “I’m very introverted; I don’t like talking that much,” he said. “But I realized connecting with people and getting support really helps you succeed, so you don’t have to just do it all by yourself.”

His academic transformation was recognized with MiraCosta’s Medal of Academic Merit — an honor that came as a surprise. “I didn’t really believe it at first,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it, and I was very grateful.”

For Gorges, the recognition reflects just how far he’s come, from doubting whether college was even an option to earning one of the institution’s highest academic honors. His journey is a reminder that with the right support, persistence, and willingness to get involved, it’s possible to redefine what success looks like.