Public Information Office
Submitted May 11, 2015
Desiree Sulzmann to be student commencement speaker at
Santa Barbara City College 66th Annual Commencement
Friday, May 15, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
La Playa Stadium
SBCC East Campus, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara
A native of Chicago, Desiree Sulzmann will graduate from Santa Barbara City College on May 15 with
four associates’ degrees: political science, political science for transfer, humanities, and liberal arts with an
honors certificate summa cum laude. No one will be more proud of her accomplishments than her parents,
Thomas and Becky, who will be sitting in the bleachers at SBCC’s La Playa stadium.
Desiree’s earlier journey had not been an easy one for her or her family. During her high school years in
Chicago, she went through a series of difficult times and transitions which brought her to California after
barely graduating, determined to make a fresh start in a new place. “I am so grateful for the opportunities
SBCC has offered me -- I was pushed harder than I had ever been before to succeed.” At college with the
demands of firm but supportive faculty, Desiree became involved in the Ethics Debate team, the Honors
Program, Phi Theta Kappa international honor society leadership, and coordinated and attended two trips to
Sacramento as part of an internship program at which students interact with and shadow legislators at the
State Capitol.
She plans to transfer to UC Berkeley in the fall and then earn a PhD in political science as well as a law
degree. Her ultimate career goals are to first practice civil law for sexual assault and domestic violence
victims and later to pursue a career in politics and legislation reform.
Desiree said, “I knew early on that I had big dreams but didn’t have a chance to begin pursuing them until I
came to SBCC. I’ve determined my passions and goals, and the future is very exciting."
721 Cliff Drive • Santa Barbara, California 93109-2394 • Phone (805) 965-0581 • Fax (805) 963-7222