Brianna Poulos

Brianna Poulos is a 2020 Whatcom Community College graduate who is currently studying news and editorial journalism at Western Washington University, graduating this June.

“I came to WCC through the Running Start program in my junior year of high school. I started with the hope of accelerating my education by finishing my high school requirements and undergrad prerequisites at the same time.

“My plan was to study English and creative writing in university. I didn’t have the faintest clue what I wanted to do with such a degree, but I loved to write, and I just hoped I would figure the rest out along the way. Intro to Mass Media with Catherine Wallace introduced me to news writing and gave me the direction I needed to pursue writing wholeheartedly. In my last quarter before graduation, I officially changed my study plans. I had found a reason to write. “I am still pursuing journalism today. I’ve been accepted to graduate school in New York City and I am hoping to have my master’s completed in the next several years. I would like to pursue a career at a publication with an intimate connection with its community. One day, I might even like to teach.”

Babak Abedsaidi

As a young boy growing up in Iran, Babak was born into a country with little opportunity. In 2002, his parents decided to immigrate to the US as refugees.

After two years studying at Whatcom and completing his AA, and two years at Central Washington University, Babak graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics as a straight A student, and began to work in his field as a financial advisor.

He is currently back at Whatcom studying mechanical engineering in order to finish what he started years ago when he first began learning about aerospace engineering. He hopes to transfer to UW to earn a Masters of Science in Engineering and work in the clean energy infrastructure or transportation industry once he graduates.

About his time at Whatcom, Babak says, “of all the educational experiences I’ve had—and I’ve attended 3 or 4 different colleges—Whatcom has been the most supportive, most positive educational experience.  Everything from the student support systems, to relationships with professors, to the tutoring help—it’s all been above and beyond other educational institution that I’ve experienced.”