Melody Smith is a proud first-generation college graduate, whose higher educational journey began in Ventura Community College District, having graduated with her associate’s degree from Moorpark College. Through her own lived experiences, she understands the struggles and barriers that many community college students face. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from California State University Northridge, where her interest in working with college students began as a peer educator for the counseling services at CSUN. She also holds her master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance with a specialization in College Student Personnel from California Lutheran University. Melody has many years of experience working as a community college counselor, having worked at Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Mission College and Moorpark College. Melody’s experience includes having worked in general counseling, EOPS, DSPS, PACE and the Umoja program where she worked full time as a counselor and coordinator for the program. She enjoys guiding and mentoring underrepresented communities and helping them attain their dreams and beyond. Melody is excited to help support the goals of the HSI STEM grant in connecting underserved communities to STEM.