Share Your Mustang Story!

Johanna Delgado, Current Student

For Johanna Delgado, education became more than a goal. It became a way to rebuild direction and purpose after years of navigating instability, responsibility, and resilience far beyond her age. Her path to 91传媒 was shaped by lived experience, personal loss, and a determination to create a different future for herself and her son.

Raised in South Central Los Angeles in a first-generation immigrant household marked by constant work, absence, and instability, Johanna learned early how to navigate life on her own. With parents often working and a home life shaped by hardship, she grew up carrying responsibilities that left little room for certainty about the future. Despite those circumstances, she held onto the idea that education could still be possible even when the path to it was not clear.

After high school, she initially pursued college but ultimately shifted into trade school and work, as many around her expected. In her community, early employment was often seen as success and a way to contribute to the household. Still, the goal of returning to school never left her.

In 2023, after deep personal loss including the death of her brother and father, Johanna took time to reflect on her life and future. That period became a turning point. She realized how short life can be and made the decision to return to the educational journey she had started but never finished. She enrolled within the Riverside Community College District and began taking courses that would move her toward her long-term goal of earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree at California Baptist University.

While pursuing her education, Johanna managed an intense and demanding schedule. She worked full-time, traveled out of state regularly for her job, raised a child with type 1 diabetes, and navigated a failing marriage. Despite everything, she remained committed to moving forward.

(Johanna Delgado and Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Ruben Aguilar, Ed.D.)

During the winter of 2024, while taking KIN 10, she met Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Ruben Aguilar, Ed.D., via Zoom. Before the course began, his story as a former Norco College student resonated with her and made his class feel both personal and motivating. During the term, she reached out with questions about counseling support and academic direction, including whether she could pursue an associate degree in Kinesiology. In response, he immediately connected her with one of his mentors, providing guidance at a critical moment.

Later in the course, Johanna found herself falling behind and questioning whether she could continue. She asked to meet with Dr. Aguilar to better understand her final assignment. During that Zoom meeting, overwhelmed by everything she was balancing, she became emotional. In that moment, she was met with encouragement and support. With his guidance, she was able to complete the course she feared she might not pass.

Another major milestone came when her counselor, Professor Zina Chacon, Ed.D., informed her that she was eligible to earn three associate degrees. Shortly after, she received confirmation that she would graduate with distinction. That moment reinforced a lesson she now carries with her. Asking for help can change outcomes, and support is there when you seek it.

Through it all, Johanna refused to be defined by her circumstances. Her motivation became her son and the desire to show him what perseverance and grit truly look like. She wanted him to understand that where you come from does not determine where you are going.

For Johanna Delgado, being a Mustang represents breaking cycles, pushing through hardship, and refusing to become a statistic. Walking across the 91传媒 graduation stage was more than an achievement. It was a powerful reminder that even in life鈥檚 most difficult seasons, it is still possible to move forward and succeed.

(Johanna Delgado and son)

Desiree Harshbarger, Alumni and Current Faculty

More than a decade ago, Desiree Harshbarger returned to the Inland Empire after graduating from UC Davis, enrolling at 91传媒 to pursue a career in nursing. Although she began taking science courses with that goal in mind, she soon realized she was unsure whether nursing was truly her calling.

It was at 91传媒 that her path shifted. After enrolling in a career exploration course and spending time around the counseling department, Desiree discovered her passion for educational counseling. Inspired by the counseling faculty and her experience serving as a Puente mentor, she found herself drawn to the program's close-knit classroom environment and strong sense of community. She sat in Puente classes, volunteered whenever possible, attended professional trainings, and closely observed the work of the counseling faculty.

That inspiration led her to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in education counseling. Several years later, she returned to 91传媒 as an associate faculty counselor, teaching guidance courses and supporting students in the same spaces that once helped shape her own future. She currently teaches at JFK with 91传媒 and continues to participate in campus trainings as she works toward becoming a full-time faculty counselor.

One of her favorite memories remains mentoring students in the Puente Program alongside Professor Ruben Aguilar. She recalls the camaraderie, the shared commitment to student success, and the pride of watching students achieve their dreams, including Aguilar, who went on to become a full-time kinesiology faculty member. Staying connected with former Puente students and seeing their accomplishments continues to affirm her own journey.

Desiree still remembers teaching her first Guidance 45 course and the impact she was able to make on her students. For her, general counseling is more than a profession; it is a calling rooted in relationship-building, mentorship, and helping students recognize their own potential.

91传媒 transformed Desiree鈥檚 career trajectory and remains a place she describes as truly special. As both a former student and current faculty member, she knows firsthand the power of a campus community that believes in its students and helps them realize their goals.

Brady Kerr, Current Faculty

Brady Kerr鈥檚 journey with 91传媒 began in 1999, when he was invited to join the campus as Musical Theater Music Director while still a student at Riverside City College. What started as an opportunity to support productions quickly became the foundation of a lasting career in music education.

Over the years, Brady helped bring numerous musical theater productions to life. In 2007, he became the choir accompanist, strengthening his connection to the campus music community. By 2009, he stepped into the classroom as an instructor, and that same year helped lead the addition of a recording studio to the program, taking on responsibility for building and guiding its growth. In 2016, he became a full-time faculty member, a milestone he describes as both humbling and meaningful.

91传媒 has shaped not only Brady鈥檚 career, but his identity as an educator and artist. From the beginning, mentors entrusted him with responsibility and encouraged him to grow, often before he fully realized his own potential. That culture of trust and belief now guides his work with students. He understands firsthand how powerful it can be when someone is willing to take a chance, and he strives to pass that opportunity forward.

One of the most meaningful parts of his career has been watching hundreds of students move through the 91传媒 Music program and go on to build careers in music and beyond. Under his leadership, Norco Music has released more than 300 songs worldwide, reaching listeners in over 70 countries. The program released its 30th album, Vertigo, on February 26. Brady sees the milestone not simply as a number, but as a reflection of years of students finding their voice, building confidence, and discovering what is possible. Listen to Vertigo at .

For Brady, being a Mustang means belonging to a community grounded in possibility, resilience, and shared purpose. 91传媒 is more than a workplace; it is a place that helped define his values, strengthen his commitment to mentorship, and shape his sense of purpose as an educator.

Zina Chacon, Current Faculty

Zina Chacon found 91传媒 in 2001 while pursuing her goal of working as a college counselor for the Riverside Community College District. After meeting with the dean, she was given the opportunity to help launch the TRIO program grant as an adjunct counselor, an experience that marked the beginning of a long and meaningful career at 91传媒.

From the start, 91传媒 felt like home. Zina often describes the campus as her 鈥渉ome away from home,鈥� a place with a true spirit of place and a welcoming environment for students and employees alike. She regularly shares with her students and family that 91传媒 is not only a beautiful campus, but also a wonderful place to work alongside dedicated and caring colleagues.

One of her鈥痬ost meaningful memories is coordinating the Puente Program and working closely with Monica Green, Ed.D., who was serving as Dean of Student Services at the time and is now President of 91传媒. As a new counselor, Zina found mentorship, encouragement, and steady support through that partnership. Green not only worked directly with Puente students, but also guided Zina through her early years, helping her successfully navigate evaluations and grow into her role with confidence

For Zina, 91传媒 represents鈥痲uality of life and a campus that genuinely welcomes and uplifts its students. After more than 25 years of service, she鈥痳emains鈥痯roud to be part of a community committed to access, support, and student success.

Kasey Boyer, Alumni, Classified Professional, Community Member

Kasey Boyer is a Norco High School graduate who first came to 91传媒 directly after high school and later returned as a single parent. Her experiences as both a student and an employee have shaped a long-standing connection to the college and its community.

For Kasey, being a 91传媒 Mustang means being part of a campus that values possibility, connection, and growth. It鈥檚 a place where people show up for one another with support, respect, and the belief that every student can succeed.

91传媒 played a significant role in shaping Kasey鈥檚 path. She earned her associate degree in math and science here, an experience that inspired her to support others pursuing higher education. In Fall 2014, she began her professional journey at Norco College as a student employee in the STEM Center, supporting students participating in the STEM Scholars program. Over the years, her roles evolved alongside the needs of students and the campus.

Kasey advanced to Grants Administrative Specialist for the STEM Scholars program and STEM Center, managing budgeting, compliance, and administrative operations. She later served as Outreach Specialist for the Engineering Pathways grant, working closely with local feeder high schools to guide students through matriculation, enrollment, and their transition to college. In 2021, she moved into Dual Enrollment Outreach, supporting students from 14 high schools as they navigated college coursework for dual credit, with a focus on access, readiness, and successful transitions.

Today, Kasey serves as an Education Resource Advisor within Student Services, continuing her work to support student success and help incoming students transition confidently to 91传媒. As of March 2026, she will have proudly served 91传媒 and its students for 10 years. Seeing both of her adult children now attend the same campus brings her journey full circle.

As a Mustang, Kasey has grown alongside her students and colleagues, witnessing the campus come together to celebrate achievements, navigate challenges, and continue moving forward. Being a Mustang isn't about titles or tradition; it鈥檚 about community, shared purpose, and a place that continues to feel like home.

Josh Delgado, Current Student

(Josh Delgado serving as an aide at various events.)

Josh Delgado鈥檚 journey at 91传媒 is one defined by resilience, reflection, and the belief that a single moment of encouragement can change the course of a life. A current 91传媒 student, Josh describes his educational path as one taken in pursuit of happiness, purpose, and opportunity.

His journey to 91传媒 was not a straight line. As a teenager, he faced significant challenges rooted in a troubled childhood, family instability, and the pressures of navigating life as an undocumented student. At 17, a series of poor decisions led to his arrest and the possibility of a life-altering prison sentence. For a time, Josh believed his future had already been decided.

Instead, he was given an opportunity for rehabilitation. Through years of accountability, perseverance, and hard work, Josh began rebuilding his life. He volunteered with programs serving at-risk youth, worked in community recreation and special education, and eventually supported unaccompanied immigrant children through government-contracted services. While these experiences gave him responsibility and leadership skills, he still felt something was missing. He was searching for purpose.

That search led him back to school and ultimately to 91传媒. Returning as a student was intimidating, but Josh arrived determined to make this opportunity count. Early on, 91传媒 became a place where he felt accepted, supported, and valued. From his very first guidance class to demanding science coursework, he learned to view challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow.

A defining moment came when Ruben Aguilar took the Kinesiology Student Association to a conference at the University of Southern California and California State University, Long Beach. During conversations that day, Josh experienced a realization that would stay with him forever. For the first time, he truly believed he belonged in higher education. Aguilar鈥檚 encouragement helped Josh understand that no matter his past, his future was still his to shape.

Josh鈥檚 sense of belonging quickly translated into leadership. As a returning student, he became deeply involved in campus life, serving as senator for the Associated Students of 91传媒 (ASNC) and later being elected vice president of administration. In these roles, he helped facilitate collaboration among student clubs, allocate funding, uphold student government policies, and advocate for students whose voices were often unheard. The experience sharpened his leadership skills and reinforced the power of community.

Today, Josh is preparing to transfer to California State University, San Bernardino, where he has been accepted into kinesiology and biochemistry programs. He plans to pursue kinesiology as his major, complete a minor in chemistry, and continue to medical school. He hopes to return to 91传媒 one day as a faculty member, giving back to the institution that helped him find his direction.

To Josh, being a Mustang means strength, determination, and belonging. 91传媒 did more than provide him with an education. It gave him a second chance, a community that believed in him, and the confidence to imagine a future once thought impossible.

Cassandra Flores, Alumni

(Cassandra Flores working the AANHPI SAP Advisory Group booth at Japan Fest to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2025))

Cassandra Flores attended 91传媒 right after high school. At the time, she didn't even realize the college existed, despite living just down the street. She had a vision for her future but wasn't sure how to get there. 91传媒 helped provide that direction, offering not just an education, but a plan for success.

91传媒 played a defining role in shaping who Cassandra is today. Her journey began as a student, where she found her footing and discovered her voice through campus involvement and leadership. She later secured her first job as a student worker, serving as a Student Aide I in the Career and Job Placement Center. That early opportunity opened the door to continued growth, leading her to become a classified professional as a Counseling Clerk II. Cassandra began as adjunct faculty in fall 2021, and in fall 2025, she landed a full-time counseling position at Moreno Valley College.

As a student, Cassandra found her voice through advocacy and engagement. She served as advisor for the Fashion for Change Club and was a lead for the AANHPI SAP Advisory Group, helping create spaces where students felt seen, supported, and empowered. These formative experiences strengthened her confidence and shaped her commitment to serving others.

The support Cassandra received at 91传媒 inspired her to pursue a career in higher education, driven by a desire to give back in the same way the college gave so much to her. What began as a place she nearly overlooked became a community that believed in her potential and encouraged her to lead.

Being a 91传媒 Mustang will always be part of who Cassandra is. 91传媒 is where she grew, found her confidence, and discovered her passion for helping others. More than a college, it is a community that helped shape the person she is today, and she remains forever proud to call herself a Mustang.

Karin Skiba (Russo), Faculty Emeriti

(91传媒 Art Club at the campus rodeo, 1993)

When Karin Skiba was hired by the Riverside Community College District in 1990, Norco College existed only as a vision. Along with other new faculty, she toured the open land by bus, imagining what would soon become a campus rooted in community, growth, and possibility. By 1991, as the first buildings rose and even a mounted police officer patrolled the grounds, Karin decided to join 91传媒 full time as its art instructor, teaching in a single Humanities classroom that served as the college鈥檚 first art lab.

In those early years, 91传媒 was small but ambitious. With fewer than a dozen faculty members, Karin helped shape the academic foundation of the campus, teaching studio art, art appreciation, and eventually art history, while also representing 91传媒 in Academic Senate meetings and helping faculty find their voice. As the campus grew, so did its programs, facilities, and identity. Art classes found a permanent home in the ATEC building, new facilities opened, and 91传媒 evolved from a center into a college of its own.

(Original 91传媒 Art Club in the RCC Courtyard.)

91传媒鈥檚 pioneering spirit was evident everywhere, including a rodeo fair held in a dirt parking lot and organized by faculty and early student clubs, with math instructor Bob Prior also serving as the campus鈥檚 first student services director.

A true innovator, Karin was part of the first faculty cohort to develop online courses, launching California鈥檚 first online art appreciation class in 1998, years before digital learning became the norm. Her leadership extended beyond the classroom when she became the first 91传媒 faculty member and the first woman elected president of the Faculty Association, representing the National Education Association and its state affiliate, the California Teachers Association, in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she was awarded the title of full professor in recognition of her significant achievements and contributions across the district. After retiring in 2011, Karin continued her legacy by establishing 91传媒鈥檚 Art Gallery, creating a space that celebrates creativity, community, and student talent and continues to thrive.

From open land to a comprehensive college, Karin Skiba鈥檚 Mustang story is inseparable from 91传媒鈥檚 own, built on vision, resilience, and a lasting commitment to students and the arts.

(Sienna, Italy Study Abroad Trip, 1995)