Future Engineer Advocates for Community College Education

Most people try to avoid problems. Ariel Molina, Jr. loves solving them. “I really enjoy thinking out of the box and finding solutions to challenging situations, especially when I’m helping others.”

Well-known on campus for his active service to PCCC, Ariel graduated on May 21 with honors and his Associate in Science degree in Engineering Science.

“Graduating is definitely bittersweet,” he says. “I made a lot of good friends at PCCC, met good professors, and got involved.  But now it comes to the end of this chapter and the start of a new one.”

Ariel came to PCCC from the Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) where he earned good grades and was captain of the swimming team, leading a sport he really loves. Yet, he didn’t feel a sense of connection.

“When I graduated from high school in 2023, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” Like many others in that situation, Ariel decided to enroll at community college.  PCCC was a natural choice since his parents, both immigrants, had learned English here, and his mother also earned an associate’s degree.

“PCCC allowed me to be myself and to be surrounded by people who wanted to do a lot and be involved.”  Ariel became acquainted with all that PCCC offers through a summer program he attended after high school.  “I was so excited and felt like I wanted to take it all in and do everything available to me.”

Ariel became involved in the Student Government Association and served on the Student Planning Committee, helping to organize programs and events. 

A math tutor for Pre-calculus, Calculus I and Algebra courses, he worked as a supplemental instructor for a paired ESL and English composition class, assisting students who came from various backgrounds. “It was easier said than done, but I really enjoyed it.”

As a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society, Ariel held the office of the 2024-2025 chapter vice president and the 2025-2026 chapter scholarship coordinator, helping other students to apply for scholarships.

Attending the PTK annual international convention, Catalyst, last April was a high point for him. That’s when Alpha Eta Chi (the PCCC chapter of PTK) rose to second place in the rankings of all PTK chapters around the world. “It was the highest Alpha Eta Chi had ever achieved,” said Ariel. “That was an amazing accomplishment for all of us.”

The recipient of the PCCC Foundation Alumni Association Scholarship, Ariel was invited to serve as a student speaker for The Annual Scholarship Gala last April and expressed his appreciation. “This scholarship will enable me to graduate without student debt, and for that, I am very grateful.”

In the Fall, Ariel heads to NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.  “I come from a family of engineers,” he says. “Choosing this field was natural.”

He hopes to work in the renewable energy industry “using engineering skills to help create a more sustainable environment.” 

Before then, Ariel plans to serve this summer as a STEM mentor at PCCC, assisting incoming freshmen with their applications and with getting to know the College.

“PCCC has made me an advocate for community college,” says Ariel. “If you want time to breathe, grow, and explore, come to community college. I’m so glad I came to PCCC.”