STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Reaching for the Stars: Rodrigo Juarez’s Journey at Pierce College
Reaching for the Stars: Rodrigo Juarez’s Journey at Pierce College
When Rodrigo Juarez walked onto the Pierce College campus three years ago, he wasn’t sure exactly where his future was headed. Today, the chemistry major knows exactly what he’s reaching for: the stars—literally. With plans to transfer to a four-year university in 2026 and pursue a career in aerospace chemistry, Rodrigo is combining his love of science with his fascination for space exploration.
That clarity didn’t come overnight. In high school, Rodrigo discovered his passion for chemistry after a teacher opened his eyes to how deeply the subject touches daily life. But it wasn’t until he became active in Pierce’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program that his dream of applying chemistry to aerospace began to take shape.
Through MESA, Rodrigo was selected to attend the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Conference, where he met professionals in aerospace who showed him just how far chemistry could take him. “That conference reignited my passion for space,” he recalls. “I realized aerospace was what I wanted to pursue.”
Rodrigo didn’t stop there. He enrolled in NASA’s Community College Aerospace Scholars program, successfully completing simulations and team challenges. At Pierce, he co-founded and now co-coordinates the MESA Skills Lab, a new initiative that equips students with hands-on laboratory skills to prepare them for internships and research opportunities. “So many students can’t get into internships because they don’t already have lab experience,” he explains. “This program bridges that gap.”
But Rodrigo isn’t just building his own future—he’s helping others build theirs. As a MESA peer mentor, he guided STEM students through scholarships, internships, and resources. As a tutor in the Center for Academic Success (CAS), he helps fellow students master chemistry and physics, and this year he is stepping into a leadership role as a CAS Tutor Leader, preparing trainings for STEM tutors across campus.
Rodrigo is also proud to be the first in his Guatemalan family to pursue higher education beyond an associate degree. “My brothers tried college, but it wasn’t the right fit for them,” he shares. “For me, reaching this point means a lot—for my family and for myself.”
When he’s not studying or mentoring, Rodrigo enjoys gaming and tinkering with projects he builds on his own. But his personal motto keeps him moving forward: “Reach for the stars, so you can always land on the clouds.”
Rodrigo is a shining example of the college’s values. By giving back through mentorship and innovation while pursuing his own ambitious goals, Rodrigo shows what it means to be a Brahma: striving high, supporting others, and turning dreams into reality!
