To understand San Diego City College student and Outreach worker Melvin Emery, you’ll have to go back to one of his biggest influences: a great aunt, a third-grade teacher with whom he lived with for a bit while growing up in Bakersfield. “Every day, she not only made sure we got our homework done before anything else, but made us do extra school work, too,” Emery recalled. “She would tutor us on our studies and make sure we got ahead. I went from being a poor student who was barely getting by to getting straight A’s. And it’s been that way ever since.”

The lesson learned? If you have the ability, use it to help others. He’s doing that now working at the City College Outreach Office. He’s done it in the past working in tech support for Apple. And he’s determined to continue helping others after earning his associate degree in cybersecurity and bachelor’s degree in the recently approved Cyber Defense and Analysis Baccalaureate Program at City.

Since arriving at City just last year, Emery has made a lasting impression.

“I first began to notice Melvin at our on-campus student events, he was friendly, energetic and outgoing,” said Outreach Coordinator Clarissa Padilla. “It was clear to me he wanted to be involved and engaged with student life. He sort of naturally slid into the Outreach team unofficially; he would volunteer a helping hand to set up our large events and would even help out throughout. Melvin is now an official Outreach Mentor and he has hit the ground running. In supporting prospective students, Melvin is patient, positive, personable, and goes above and beyond to answer questions about the college.”

Emery’s journey to City was the latest in a series of fortunate events. After graduating from high school in Bakersfield, Emery spent a couple years working for Apple helping others troubleshoot glitches and deleting viruses on their MacBook Airs and iPhones. But he wanted something more, and when his sister, who is in the Navy, found herself being stationed in Florida, she convinced him to move with her to Jacksonville.  Years later, when she was relocated to San Diego in 2021, Emery decided he had enough of the lack of decent Mexican food (“…They put food coloring on all their rice and only use black beans. I just couldn’t take it anymore”), followed her back to California, and began taking online classes at a community college near his hometown of Bakersfield.

The online modality left him wanting for more. His sister convinced him to ditch the remote classes, enroll at City, and immerse himself in student life. Emery was sold.

“It’s affordable and the programs are competitive with anywhere else,” he said. “What more could you ask for?”

He quickly enrolled in the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity program and is on track to earn his diploma in 2025. He’ll be able to earn his bachelor’s degree in cyber defense and analysis on the same campus, thanks to City securing California Community Colleges approval to join the  growing number of community college campuses offering a baccalaureate program in high-demand fields.

“The bachelor's degree program in cyber defense and analysis will provide a pipeline that not only leads to an above-livable wage career in an industry that is clearly in demand, but will also help diversify the cyber security workforce by allowing more women, military veterans, and people of color to find good jobs,” said City College President Ricky Shabazz. “Social justice and educational equity are at the core of our mission at San Diego City College, and the bachelor's degree program in Cyber Defense and Analysis aligns perfectly with that mission.”

The program is a perfect fit for someone such as Emery, who aspires to work for a company that values diversity and is determined to actively shape the digital future in a positive way. “It’s important to bridge the digital divide and help people better understand and use computer technology, rather than being used by it.”

When he’s not at City, you can find Emery at the local gym or following his favorite Major League Baseball, NFL or NBA, teams (Dodgers, Rams and Lakers, respectively).

What makes City College special?

“You want to find a place where you feel comfortable and wanted,” Emery said. “City is definitely a place where you can become connected, get immersed in campus events, find people to help you and empower you, find people who care about you. You can’t get more comfortable and wanted than that.”

“Community colleges don’t treat you like a number; they treat you like an individual. That’s definitely true at City.”