PSP alumni Armando Torres currently works in admissions at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He was instrumental in speaking with current scholars admitted to UCSB and giving them advice on making the right decisions when it comes to choosing a college. Read on to learn more about Armando and how he supports scholars as they make their college decisions.

Armando Torres graduated from Mountain View High School in El Monte in 2007. He went on to UC Santa Barbara where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies with an emphasis in Latin America and a Professional Writing Minor in Business Communication. He traveled and taught English around the world, started his own business and then returned to his education. He earned a Masters Degree in Post Secondary Administration and Student Affairs at the University of Southern California. 

Armando decided to pursue his Master’s Degree to help create a college-going culture for students of color and other under-represented communities on college campuses. He’s passionate about increasing college access and providing students with the resources that they need to succeed. Being an admissions representative allows him to work and give back to his community by traveling within LA county and working with first-generation students like himself.

As time came for college decisions, PSP Executive Director Lisa Ruben put Armando in contact with the scholars who were admitted to UCSB. He spoke with these scholars one-on-one and discussed their questions and concerns. Most scholars were concerned about financial aid, on campus job opportunities and wanted to know more about life on campus. Armando said these questions were very common and he was able to answer their questions and help them make an informed decision.

Overall, Armando says, “there are many factors that come into play with your decision, there are three factors that can help you decide; fit, the community and academics.” He explains that understanding fit means understanding where it’s located if it’s in the east coast and it snows in the winter or if it’s a big city, rural, etc. The community that surrounds the area, students, faculty, and visiting the campus if possible are very important when it comes to making a decision. He says the only you know if you feel right on a campus and in that community. Academics are one of the most important factors and considering if the major you want is offered at that school or a similar program is offered. 

He summed it up for us when he said, “Basically going to be your home for four years and it should feel like home to you because that will help you be successful and happy and live somewhere you’re comfortable.”

We are grateful to Armando for giving back to current and former PSP scholars and the community as a whole. Thank you!