GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Armando Minjarez
[Garden City, KS] October 2, 2023 -- A well-timed meeting just days before school started led Armando Minjarez to Garden City Community College in 2005. He shared, "GCCC only became an option when my high school art teacher introduced me to David Kinder as a last resort, hoping I could get a scholarship. After scheduling a last-minute meeting to review my portfolio, Mr. Kinder offered me a scholarship covering tuition and books for two years, making it feasible for me to afford a college education. This fateful meeting proved a transformational moment in my life, influencing the course of my professional career."
While at GCCC, Armando was president of HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization), sophomore class president of SGA (Student Government Association), and involved in the GCCC Art Club and College Singers. During his studies, he learned to take risks in the arts (theatre and visual arts). "Brian McCallum and Skip Mancini provided opportunities that pushed me to take risks as an artist and were there all along to offer feedback wherever needed."
He continued, "As an artist, the best way to grow (in my opinion) is to stay in the vanguard of innovation and take risks--to stretch and lean into the discomfort of the unknown. Whether risk-taking was an innate trait for me or something I learned at GCCC, my professors and mentors were elemental in providing opportunities to practice it and grow."
Armando further reflected on his GCCC days, "During my time at GCCC, I was so fortunate to have some truly influential and compassionate mentors, both staff and faculty. Their support and advice have influenced me to this day, and they taught me how paramount it is to foster a supportive community for students from all walks of life to grow and thrive. I have taken that lesson with me and do my best to be that supportive and compassionate mentor with the many young artists and students I've worked with in the past decade."
After graduating with his Associate in Arts in 2007, Armando continued his ceramics studies at Kansas State University. In 2015, he founded Del Norte, a design studio primarily focusing on ceramics, in Wichita, KS. As a self-employed artist and entrepreneur, Armando explores design concepts within the context of public and domestic spaces. He creates practical ceramic products for everyday use that introduce a sophisticated and witty vibe to any space. Del Norte also has an online store featuring a selection of contemporary ceramic wares and wholesale services, small-batch tile production, special project design/production, and public art projects.
When asked what advice he'd give current or prospective GCCC students, Armando said, "Take advantage of the small classes and one-on-one time with faculty at GCCC-this is something that helped me stay on top of my grades. Reach out and get to know the staff and faculty on campus--their advice and guidance positively shaped my experience at every turn."
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a role in Armando's success. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC President's Scholarship Initiative!
From HERE, you can go ANYWHERE.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.