Christopher Resendiz is a graduate of El Cerrito High School who currently attends Berkeley City College. Christopher plans to major in Psychology.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: My name is Christopher Resendiz and I’m going into my second year at Berkeley City College as a Psychology major. I wanted to get into psychology to work with my community, generally the hispanic culture is hesitant to access mental healthcare and there is a stigma associated with it. I’ve always liked to learn so I always knew I wanted to go to college and that drive to help other people along with a class that I took in high school really made me want to pursue it.

Q: When did you first realize that you were college-bound?

A: It was more of a gradual thing, my parents always encouraged me to pursue higher education. I would say around 6th or 7th grade I started to really enjoy learning. I’ve always been very curious, my parents said that I was annoying when I was a kid always asking “what is this” and “what is that.” My cousin took a film class at Berkeley City College and that made me realize I could learn about topics I normally wouldn’t be exposed to.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise currently allows me to go to BCC for free, I don’t have to pay any tuition as well as the RP Leads program has helped with how to achieve my goals. I felt my first year during the fall semester I was very lost, I had friends with relatives that had already gone. For me I had to work with a counselor and trust them, hope for the best!

Q: Why did you choose to apply for RP Leads, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose RP Leads because in high school I had been in EAOP and Trio and they helped a lot with applying for college, checking for credits, and balancing doing the schoolwork. When I found out about RP Leads it felt like a weight off my chest.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: Honestly, I just want to help as many people as possible. I hope to leave the world a little bit better even if it is just providing a little comfort or giving relief for their stressors. I just hope I can leave it a little better.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My highlight has been getting to meet a lot of new people from different ages and places that I normally wouldn’t have met because normally I just hang out with my family and friends who are hispanic. I learned a lot about the Greeks and Romans, you learn about how much our history has been shaped by them. I struggled a little with trying to figure out my next steps.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today?

A: I’m first gen, but around the time of applying to colleges, I found that I had epilepsy. I had to learn how to pace myself, I was in school from 9am-6pm and started to get migraines a lot. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, letting teachers know when I was having a hard day and that I would still be there but might not be very active.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: I would say enjoy the content, don’t just focus on your grades. You get a lot more out of it by actually learning the materials and trying to connect it. It’s not just about the grade, it’s about learning how to use what you learn. A lot of people, especially at community college, just go to their class and go home but by doing activities you become part of a community.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: If we are including masters, I’m not sure if I want to open my own practice but some sort of work in a counseling position. Aside from that I would like to explore pottery more, that’s one of my hobbies that I’m starting. Also just being with my family more.