Rebecca Segura Reeves, graduating with an associate’s degree in photography from MiraCosta College, has been named the 2026 Student Artist of the Year. A Vista resident, her portfolio spans drawing, painting, and photography, reflecting the breadth of media she has worked in throughout her time in higher education.

Segura Reeves began her educational journey at MiraCosta in 2012, enrolling in non-credit courses through the Community Learning Center before transitioning into credit coursework in 2016. As a first-generation college student originally from Costa Rica, she has remained committed to her creative goals while navigating a nontraditional academic path.

She has spent more than a decade studying art, exploring a range of media along the way. She began in traditional art classes at MiraCosta before expanding her practice through the college’s media arts department, where she earned a certificate of achievement in graphic design. Her journey included a brief transfer to Arizona State University and plans to attend California State University, San Marcos. However, when those paths proved not to be the right fit, she returned to MiraCosta to reassess her goals and continue her coursework, ultimately refining her direction. Throughout, MiraCosta remained a consistent foundation, helping her gain clarity in her long-term academic and career goals.

At MiraCosta, Segura Reeves has distinguished herself through both her academic achievements and campus involvement. An active member of the Art Club, she connected with fellow student artists and further developed her creative practice. She also gained hands-on professional experience as a student employee in the college’s Public Information Office, contributing graphic design work in support of college-wide communications. Balancing these commitments alongside her coursework, she has continued to build a diverse portfolio reflecting her interest in design, storytelling, and creative problem-solving.

Following graduation, Segura Reeves will transfer to San Diego State University, where she plans to major in interior architecture with a minor in woodworking, with the goal of designing functional, meaningful spaces that enhance how people experience their environments.