André Valle: Discovering Purpose Through Projects

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In Spring 2025, André Valle graduated as an Honors Transfer Scholar after attending Las Positas College for three years. He has presented his Honors research at a regional level and is currently studying Sociology and Political Science at UC Berkeley.

〉〉 How It All Started

André’s journey at Las Positas began in his junior year of high school, when he enrolled in LPC’s Middle College Program. At first, he was uncertain of his academic and career trajectory, but he was able to “delve into [his] interests and fine-tune [his] goals through the Honors Program.” He admitted that, being sixteen at the beginning of his journey, it originally felt daunting to be in a room full of adults. But through the mentorship of his professors, he gained a greater sense of intellectual belonging and comfort on campus. 

“The opportunities and resources that Las Positas provided as a student, athlete, and person made staying after graduation an easy decision and ultimately prepared me to transfer to a four-year university.”

As André went through the preparation courses for his major, his research projects ignited his passion for the mechanisms of society and its complex inner workings, while enhancing his independence, initiative, and collaborative skills. While he initially felt indecisive, his honors projects had inspired his admiration for sociology and the research process – two elements he has combined at the University of California, Berkeley.

〉〉 Big Opportunities at the Bay Honors Consortium

In Fall 2024, André conducted original empirical research for an Honors project in his General Psychology class, comparing the Hispanic Paradox among generations of community college students. While he initially had no intention of doing so, André submitted this project to the Bay Honors Consortium Research Symposium at the recommendation of the Honors Program director, Dr. Keller. 

“In the midst of college decisions, scholarship notifications, and internship applications, receiving the news that I had been accepted into the prestigious symposium came as a surprise. This project, and all the honors projects I had completed previously, were driven by my curiosity and sparked a passion that inspired my future academic and career goals.”

Pictured, left to right: Brittany Robles-Camacho & André Valle at UC Berkeley.

Unbeknownst to André and his research partner, Brittany Robles-Camacho, they had been pre-selected as one of five finalists out of approximately 400 proposals for the Heslet Award, the grand prize of the symposium. Being recognized among so many brilliant research projects from across the state encouraged André to continue pursuing his passion for education and research. 

“[The Bay Honors Consortium] recognized my genuine passion and interest in the research that I conducted, which was rooted in my experience and the experience of other first and second-generation Latine immigrants. Being recognized as a finalist serves as a representation of the passion, perseverance, and motivation that the Honors Program instills in its students.”

〉〉 André’s Future Plans and Goals

Currently, André is a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, studying Sociology with a concentration in Research Methods and a minor in Education. He has continued to apply the skills and knowledge he gained through the Honors Program, both in his concentration and as a mentee in the Social Science Research Pathways program. 

“I would advise any new LPC Honors student to take advantage of the amazing resources that LPC has to offer. Las Positas College offers an abundance of financial, personal, and academic support that guides students through navigating higher education. [...] LPC has amazing faculty, and I would advise students to take full advantage of their knowledge and experiences. Getting to know the professors can provide invaluable knowledge, insights, and opportunities.”

Being an Honors Transfer Scholar inspired André to continue to conduct research in higher education. He hopes to complete his Honors senior thesis next year and, following his time at UC Berkeley, aspires to implement his passion for research and continue his education through grad school.