From RCC Student to Faculty: Alyssa Drake’s Journey Comes Full Circle

For many students, community college serves as a stepping stone to greater opportunities. For Alyssa Drake—now an associate faculty member at Riverside City College (RCC)—it became the foundation for a career she never imagined pursuing. Her journey from student-athlete to professor is a testament to the power of mentorship, passion, and perseverance.

Born and raised in Riverside, Alyssa started at RCC in 2017 without a clear direction. Uncertain about her future, she found herself recruited by Coach Curtis Wilson to join the track and field team as a long and triple jumper. That decision set her on a path that would shape both her education and career.

“I ended up falling in love with communication studies after taking Interpersonal Communication,” Alyssa recalls. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet with my degree, but I knew this was my passion.”

Inspired by her professors, she switched her major and immersed herself in communication courses. She also became a tutor at RCC’s Center for Communication, an experience that solidified her desire to teach. After earning her associate degree in 2019, she transferred to UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in education.

Like many students, Alyssa faced the challenges of remote learning during COVID-19, making it difficult to connect with professors in large university classes. However, she persevered, seeking mentorship and engagement through virtual means. She then continued her education at Cal State Fullerton, earning a master’s degree in communication studies while serving as a graduate teaching associate (GTA) and later as a GTA mentor. Her research focused on trauma and communication, culminating in a 10-week college-level course she developed to explore the impact of trauma on interpersonal interactions.

Despite her academic achievements, the true test came when she stepped into the classroom as an instructor. “I told myself, ‘I really hope I like teaching because I’ve spent all this time studying communication.’ Thankfully, I loved it.”

Alyssa began teaching at Moreno Valley College in summer 2023 before securing a position at RCC that fall. Now, she teaches three classes each semester, and in fall 2024, she will expand her teaching to Mount San Jacinto College and Santiago Canyon College. Like many adjunct professors, she balances multiple teaching roles across different campuses while pursuing full-time faculty opportunities.

Her passion for communication studies and student success drives her teaching philosophy. Reflecting on her time as a student, she credits RCC’s faculty for fostering an environment of engagement and support. “The professors made the material relatable and encouraged us to connect our own experiences to what we were learning. That approach made me feel welcome and supported.”

For students unsure about their academic paths, Alyssa offers this advice: “Trust your passion. Commit to what excites you, and you’ll find a career that aligns with it. I never imagined being a teacher, even though both of my parents are educators. But I love it—it’s rewarding to work with students and see their growth.”

Now, as an educator at RCC, Alyssa Drake has come full circle, walking the same halls she once did as a student. Her story serves as an inspiring example of how mentorship and a love for learning can shape an unexpected yet fulfilling career.