As Collin College looks back on 40 years of education, we hear from some of the amazing alumni who have walked our halls.
Aaron SimsWelder, Dynacraft
Collin College, Associate of Applied Science in Welding, 2023
“It was a good experience at Collin, and I got to learn a lot of welding skills and techniques that are essential for my career. All the professors were very educated and knowledgeable about the welding industry and gave me tips to succeed, not only as a welder, but also in life.”
Mente Bezuneh
Award-winning Filmmaker, Mentopia Productions
Collin College, Associate of Applied Science in Video Production, 2020
“For me, I was discouraged from doing what I wanted to do and told that I was never going to be good enough. But I knew this was my passion, and it didn’t matter whether I made money or not; I was
going to pursue it. Being at Collin gave me the knowledge, the
friendships, and the confidence I needed to pursue my passion.
And I can’t put a price on that.”
Alexa Acosta
Marketing Director, Clarity Benefit Solutions
• First-generation Latina graduate
• Southern Methodist University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, 2016
• Collin College, Associate of Arts, 2014
“Attending Collin College was a transformative experience for me as a first-generation Latina graduate. Returning to the states after years abroad, I had no real guidance before enrolling at Collin. There, I mastered English, learned to communicate effectively, and gained essential leadership skills that I still practice today. Collin provided the perfect environment for self-discovery, helping me clarify my career path and prepare for a four-year university. The exceptional education and unwavering support were crucial to my success. I am forever indebted to Collin College for its profound impact on my life and career, and I highly recommend it to anyone.”
Jonathan Boyd
Fire Chief, City of Allen since 2018
• University of North Texas, Master’s in Public Administration
• Collin College Fire Academy graduate, 1992; Academy Class No. 3
“My time at Collin College was transformative, offering a robust educational foundation that exceeded my expectations. At Collin, the Fire Academy taught me not only the technical skills necessary for firefighting, but also critical thinking and team leadership skills I use daily. I recommended Collin to others because of its commitment to excellence and community service. It is truly rewarding to see how the Fire Academy has grown and evolved since my participation in the third cohort.”
Tigre Randle
Plumber, Neu Plumbing
Collin College, Associate of Applied Science in Construction Technology – Plumbing, 2022
“At Collin College, when the professors see you want to learn, they’re there to help you. There were times when I stayed after class to ask questions, and they would take the time to answer them and that’s important to me. I felt like I could thrive at Collin College. I didn’t feel like they were just clocking in for
a job. They were there to make a difference.”
Jaret Von Rosenberg
Head Basketball Coach, Texas A&M University-Commerce
• Abilene Christian University, Master of Education, 2015
• University of Hartford, Bachelor of Science in Marketing, 2009
• Attended Collin College 2005-06, studied business, played for Collin College Cougars
“I really matured in my time at Collin College and living in the apartments on campus. Our team was a close-knit group. I still talk to a lot of them today. If I hadn’t gone to Collin College, I don’t think I would have ever played Division I basketball or be a coach right now. I broke my wrist in a car accident shortly after signing a contract to play basketball in Germany. Coach Jim Sigona let me volunteer as an assistant while I recovered. Two or three weeks into coaching, I fell in love with it. Collin affected me, not only as a student athlete but also as a coach. It changed the course of my life.”
“One of the things I think about a lot is that during the summers, NBA players would come play pick-up games – Daron Williams, Chris Bosh, Bracey Wright. The pick-up games at ‘Quad C’ were kind of legendary
in the Dallas Metroplex area. I got to guard Daron Williams. You
don’t get to do that just anywhere. Everyone just knows Collin and Sigona because of his longevity there, the success he’s had,
and the players he’s helped.”
Roderick C. Hunter Jr., D.P.M., MS
Foot and Ankle Specialist,
Podiatrist, and Founder of Hunter Foot and Ankle Associates, PLLC in Plano
• The University of Texas at Dallas, Masters of Science in Healthcare Leadership, 2021
• Kingwood Medical Center, Podiatry Residency, 2012
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine, D.P.M., 2009
• The University of Texas at Dallas, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, 2004
• The University of Texas at Dallas Redman Scholar
• Collin College, Associate of Science, 2001
“What amazed me about Collin College was that I wasn’t just
a number. I was an individual, and you don’t find that at a
lot of places. My professors took an active interest in my success. I felt like they really cared and had a vested interest in me being successful.”
“One of my favorite memories is when I found out that I was invited to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa. When I started at Collin College, I didn’t have the confidence to know that I could maintain a high GPA. With hard work and support from my professors, I realized that they had instilled in me the tools I needed to not only be successful at Collin College, but also to be successful in life.”
Guillermo Ameer, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery, Northwestern University
• First in family to attend college
• Founder and President of ProSorp BioTech, Inc. and VesselTek BioMedical, LLC
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D., Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, 1999
• The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, 1993
• Collin College, Associate of Science, Magna Cum Laude, 1990
“Collin College serves the community. It is an excellent school. I felt prepared to go on to a university. All of my professors were exceptional. Attending Collin College worked for me. The price I paid for my education could have been 30 times as expensive.”
“I had so many great times at Collin College. I remember working as a lab assistant in the brand-new computer lab and playing basketball in the new gym at the Plano Campus. I organized the first international student organization. It was fun meeting people with different backgrounds. My chemistry, physics, and math professors made essential contributions in my academic journey.”
Simon McNeny
Co-Founder and Vice President of the Nonprofit Window to the Wild, 2014
• Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries, 2009
• Collin College, Associate of Science, 2007
“Collin College is an excellent institution. It has quality classes, amazing professors, and you can get a much more hands-on approach and the one-on-one attention that you’re not going to necessarily receive at a university. I had some of the best professors in my college career there.”
“I took a biology class that included a one-week trip to Big Bend National Park. That was one of the coolest classes I have ever taken. We stayed in the Chisos Mountains, and I learned about animals, plants, rocks, underground waterways and rivers, and
the natural history of Texas. I am not a fan of dull, quiet classes. The atmosphere at this school is different. I walk in and I still
feel the spirit, the vibrancy in the school.”
Back to Newsroom