Spring — 2010

Kyle Szesnat

AS Director of Financial Aid/Poli Sci

“I just feel very fortunate that I ended up at SMC, because I had no idea of the magnitude of this place and how very good it is.”

He was in year “numero cinco” at SMC, and reported that he was ready to move on. “The reason that I came to SMC is because I was a classic underachiever in high school. So, I joined the Navy, because I’d heard about their college funds, and ended up serving on aircraft carriers—the Big Boys!—doing avionics on the fighter aircraft. It was definitely an experience unlike anything else in life. But there’s certainly a reason that the Navy has gotten the acronym: Never Again Volunteer Yourself,” says Kyle Szesnat with a huge laugh. “And when I first visited Cal State LA, they told me, ‘Well, you’ve been away for quite a spell, so why don’t you just sort of ease yourself back in over at SMC?’ And those three letters just rang a bell with me.”

That was nearly six years ago for Kyle, who has been working in the Financial Aid Office, and who parlayed that experience into his current Associated Students position. “I got involved with the AS because I thought I could be effective in making positive change and delivering financial aid to those who need it. But mostly, I just wanted to get involved and meet smart people. And I do like being involved with money; the proverbial ‘mother’s milk’ of politics.”

If all goes according to plan—and it will for this no-nonsense military guy—Kyle will soon be showing up for ‘duty’ at either USC or Columbia University. “Yeah, that’s the plan. But I really don’t know what the future will ultimately find me doing. At this point, all I know is that I’m grateful to have found SMC and all the opportunities it’s given me. This college is a true gateway for a lot of ‘nontraditional’ students, and I’m very happy that I was able to give as much as I did to other students while I’ve been here.”

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