From the Locker Room to the Boardroom

From the locker room to the boardroom, Mayra Orozco was determined to succeed. That determination, plus the support and guidance she found at College of the Desert (COD) and from BIGHORN, has put her solidly on track to achieve her dream career as an accountant.

Mayra was born in Mexico, raised in the Coachella Valley. Encouraged by her parents to pursue higher education, she enrolled at the College in 2005 after graduating from Palm Springs High School.

The first few years were tough as Mayra struggled with financial and personal challenges. She credits College of the Desert faculty for providing the support and encouragement she needed to stick with classes when money was tight and attending classes even though working full time was a hardship.

"COD accounting professor Dr. Kelly Hall continually encouraged me,” Mayra explained. "Dr. Hall's confidence in my abilities helped me believe in me and made me want to exceed even my expectations of myself.”

In 2007, Mayra's life took another fortuitous turn. She took a job at BIGHORN Golf Club, where she steadily advanced from women's locker room attendant to server to payroll analyst. She also learned about a unique partnership between the BIGHORN Golf Club Charities, the College and COD Foundation which provides employee scholarships and training classes for the Club's hard working employees. She applied and was immediately accepted.

The scholarship support relieved financial pressures and helped Mayra complete the required business and accounting classes which allowed her to transfer to Cal State San Bernardino and earn her degree in accounting. She is looking forward to completing her CPA exams later this year.

"I am so grateful to my second family at BIGHORN and the COD Foundation,” Mayra said. "You can't believe the difference a scholarship makes in the life of a student.”

Everywhere you look in our community, COD and the Foundation have helped change lives for the better through higher education. You’ll find many ways you can change lives and our community for the better here on our site and in our Guide to Giving section. Or, call us at the Foundation, 760-773-2561.