Luis H. Molina: From East LA to STEM Project Leadership at RCC

Riverside City College (RCC) proudly highlights the impactful journey of Luis H. Molina, Project Manager for STEM Grants in Academic Affairs. A native of East Los Angeles, Molina’s story exemplifies resilience, perseverance, and the powerful influence of mentors in achieving one’s goals. Now, through his role at RCC, he dedicates himself to supporting students and helping them overcome obstacles on their academic paths.

Molina began his academic journey at Whittier College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and later completed a Master of Business Administration at CSU Fullerton. Coming from a single-parent household, Molina was inspired by his mother’s tireless work ethic but sought to break the generational cycle of poverty. “I was tired of being poor and not being able to have the same opportunities and experiences that others had,” Molina recalls. Driven by a desire to create a better future, he became the first in his family to achieve these educational milestones.

His undergraduate years, however, were anything but easy. Moving away from his community was a culture shock, and he struggled to adapt to college life, almost landing on academic probation. With guidance from supportive professors, he found his footing, buckled down, and completed his degree. The challenges continued in graduate school, where balancing academics, part-time work, and family responsibilities led him to academic probation once again. Through the Office of Graduate Studies, Molina connected with a mentor who helped him navigate his program and ultimately succeed. “Those individuals who came to my aid like guardian angels changed my whole career trajectory,” he reflects.

Today, Molina brings his experiences full circle at RCC, where he manages STEM grants that provide critical resources and support for student success. His role allows him to guide students and connect them with the same kind of mentorship and resources that helped him overcome his own challenges. Molina finds great meaning in helping students develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in their educational journeys.

“My challenges included culture shock, academic probation, balancing life and school, and learning to navigate higher education,” Molina shares. “I persevered by always remembering my ‘why’—the desire to create a better life and break generational poverty. With the help of mentors, I was able to overcome each obstacle.”

Luis Molina’s dedication to RCC reflects the college’s mission to empower students through support and guidance, and his work continues to inspire students to find purpose in their journeys and overcome barriers.

About Riverside City College
Since 1916, Riverside City College has provided students with access to quality education and the resources they need to succeed. RCC is proud to support first-generation and underrepresented students in their pursuit of personal and academic achievement.