Zachary Mass said he’s enjoyed attending Grossmont College, with supportive professors and counselors, involvement in the Radio Club, and a 3.5 grade point average. He was selected as Grossmont College’s student speaker for the 2024 commencement.
Mass notes that his academic journey before he came to Grossmont College “hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows.” His academic challenges started in third grade and reached a boiling point when he was in eighth grade and was expelled from his middle school. He spent two years in a special education school before he was able to return to a mainstream high school.
Mass said he had to learn to control his emotions and not become enraged when he suffered a rejection or setback.
“I learned that there’s always going to be more to experience,” Mass said. “Even if I get a bad test grade or have a falling-out with friends, there’s always going to be more people to meet and more things to do. That’s not the end of the world.”
Or to put it simply, “I just learned how to chill out a little bit,” he said.
Mass, who grew up in the Bay Area town of San Ramon, said he wanted to come to San Diego to be with friends who attend San Diego State University. Grossmont College popped up on his website search, and he liked the idea of attending a community college known as “Harvard on the hill.”
Mass, a communication major, praised his instructors.
“That’s been my favorite thing at this school,” he said. “All the professors have been really supportive. I email them and they get back to me soon.”
Mass has been active in the Radio Club, and has been announcing at Grossmont College sports events. He will be transferring to San Diego State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in communication, and hopes to have a career in sports broadcasting.
“People ask me what sport I’d like to broadcast. It’s whatever one will hire me,” he said.
He advised anyone who is considering attending Grossmont College to get involved in some of the many activities the college offers.
“Just be as social as you can,” he said. “If you’re cooperative and be yourself, it will work out fine.”