Shining Brighter Thanks to EPCC

El Paso, Texas, April 24, 2023 – To commemorate Community College Month in April, the lights at One San Jacinto Plaza and the lights on downtown bridges are shining in teal, the color of El Paso Community College (EPCC). It is a time to recognize all that community colleges do to help students and communities achieve their dreams of success and prosperity.

One of those students is Diego Dominguez Olivares, who enrolled at EPCC because the college is affordable and has faculty and staff who care and are always willing to help. The first in his family to attend college, Diego graduated from EPCC in December 2022 and is continuing his education at The University of Texas at El Paso.

He explains, “EPCC provided me with the proper education, resources, and services which I needed and took advantage of to reach this graduation milestone. Not to mention, EPCC provided me with dual credit courses during high school which allowed me to reach this milestone a bit sooner.”

After graduating high school in June 2021, Diego chose to attend EPCC because it felt like the right fit for him. The pathway to completing his associate degree was clear and he knew it was the smartest way to get a quality, affordable education. He is glad he took his core classes at EPCC and finished his degree. The semester before graduating was when he took a video and audio production course that he really enjoyed. “I learned a lot, met some new people, and got to work hands-on with camera and editing equipment, something I’m passionate about. EPCC is the best place to start and finish because it is a great school that guides you through your journey in education.”

EPCC has been helping people in our region access higher education and the better paying jobs that come with a degree or certificate since 1969. That success impacts individual lives, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college, but it also benefits the whole community. From training skilled workers in key job areas, like healthcare and STEM fields, to adding to El Paso’s business base, the opportunities EPCC provides benefit everyone.

Thanks to starting college at EPCC, Diego is shining brighter and is on the path to his best life. We invite everyone who is shining brighter because of EPCC to visit downtown this week and take your picture in front of the lights. Share your story on social media using #EPCCpride and help celebrate EPCC’s positive impact on the region.