Vincent Esparza - LAMC Student Spotlight of the Week
Vincent Esparza: Finding Purpose Through STEM and Community
When Vincent Esparza first started college, baseball played a major role in his life as he navigated his first year after high school. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in the San Fernando Valley, he spent a year in college before stepping away to work and rethink his future.
That break proved important. Watching his wife, Kayla — recognized as a Student of the Week earlier this year — return to school inspired him to try again with a new mindset. “Seeing her go back made me realize I needed to take advantage of my chance to get an education,” he says. In summer 2023, he enrolled at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) and committed to finishing what he’d started.
Vincent began as a computer science major but soon discovered his passion for engineering. “I’ve always loved math and science,” he says. “Electrical engineering felt broader, more interesting, and something I could see myself doing long-term.”
Community became essential to his success, and the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program provided that. Vincent calls joining MESA “a huge help in my academic career.” Through the program, he found mentors, resources, and opportunities that shaped his path. For Vincent, the lesson was clear: “Programs like MESA open doors, but you have to put in the time. The more you invest, the more opportunities you’ll find.”
He also stepped into a leadership role. As president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at LAMC, Vincent helps create opportunities for fellow STEM students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Later this month, he’ll travel to Philadelphia to represent the college at the SHPE National Conference. “I want to bring back opportunities and connections for everyone in the club,” he says.
Outside the classroom, Vincent has already applied the engineering skills he’s been developing. This past summer, he interned with Caltrans as a student assistant in traffic electrical design, helping restore Pacific Coast Highway after wildfire damage. One highlight was redesigning the electrical systems for an intersection, a project he hopes to see completed soon. “It was exciting to contribute to something real that will impact people’s lives,” he says.
Vincent will graduate from LAMC with an associate degree in mathematics and plans to transfer to a four-year university. His top choices include UCLA, USC, and CSUN, where he hopes to complete a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and potentially pursue a master’s degree in the future.
