Fifty years ago, Oxnard College opened its doors with a commitment to expanding opportunity here in Ventura County. Our mission was clear: empowering generations of students to pursue their dreams and strengthen our community. Five decades later, that mission is reflected in thousands of alumni whose work—in fields and laboratories, city halls, and classrooms—continues to shape our county. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we honor the legacy of these graduates’ impactful work.
Allow me to introduce three Oxnard College alumni leading the way.
Oxnard College alum Arcenio López serves as executive director of the Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), standing at the front lines for Indigenous farmworker families across Ventura County. López’s journey, from arriving in the U.S. as an undocumented farmworker to finding his footing at Oxnard College, guides his commitment to advocacy and human rights.
This year’s immigration raids across our region have deeply impacted Indigenous communities, many of whom face language, legal, and cultural barriers. MICOP ensures families are not left to face this moment alone, offering linguistically responsive services, preserving Indigenous culture, and investing in youth leadership. López says, “Our communities are not invisible; we are parents, workers, and stewards of our heritage who deserve to live without fear.”
While alumni like Arcenio organize at the grassroots, others carry that same commitment into elected office and government. Port Hueneme councilwoman and recent mayor, Dr. Martha McQueen-Legohn, spent 33 years in federal service at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu, where she led business operations and strategic planning. Today, Councilwoman McQueen-Legohn’s experience informs how she governs a city shaped by its port, military ties, and working families.
Her academic training, from Oxnard College to a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Business Organizational Management from the University of La Verne, shapes Councilwoman McQueen-Legohn’s approach to governing, with an emphasis on strategic clarity, evidence-based decision-making, and operational integrity. Reflecting on her service, she notes, “Serving on the City Council is a way to continue my public service in a role where I can help ensure our community’s needs are met through thoughtful leadership and collaboration with community partners.”
While alumni like Councilwoman McQueen-Legohn are strengthening our community through public institutions, others, like Jaime Lopez Jr., are building pathways from education to cutting-edge STEM careers right here in Ventura County. A proud Oxnard College graduate, Jaime discovered his passion for hands-on problem solving during childhood. He later expanded his skillset at Oxnard College, studying math and physics. Before transferring to CSU Northridge, our team supported Jaime in securing an internship, which later turned into a full-time position at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme.
Today, Jaime stays connected to Oxnard College as chair of our STEM Alumni Association, mentoring students and supporting the college’s STEM Center. He credits his success to campus resources, including the STEM Center as well as the Transfer and Career Centers. As Jaime explains, “I want students to see that careers like mine aren’t abstract or out of touch. They’re available to anyone willing to work hard and they’re right here in Ventura County.”
As we celebrate 50 years of service to Ventura County, we honor alumni like Arcenio, Councilwoman McQueen-Legohn, and Jaime, whose stories illustrate the transformative impact of education. For decades, Oxnard College has cultivated change-makers who lift up families, strengthen public institutions, and expand opportunities. Their achievements are part of a ripple effect spanning across decades, with generations of graduates leaving their mark in workplaces, households, and civic life throughout Ventura County. Future graduates will continue to build on that legacy, ensuring that Oxnard College’s impact endures for years to come.