Alumni Spotlight: Hemat Aly '23
Administrative Services Technician (EOPS/CARE/LINC/NextUp) at Cerritos College
A.A. in Accounting and A.A. in Business Administration, 2023
Born in Cairo, Egypt, Hemat earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in International Marketing before immigrating to the U.S. in 2009. Despite her qualifications and over 15 years of experience, she struggled to find employment in her field.
After facing personal hardships in Georgia, including an abusive marriage, a visit to her sister in California became a turning point. While it wasn’t easy — facing a colon cancer diagnosis after a divorce and custody battle — Hemat remained determined to rebuild her life.
That’s when she found Cerritos College, and everything changed.
Starting as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student in 2015, Hemat found a mentor in Professor Joanna Gonzales. With her encouragement, Hemat swiftly advanced through ESL courses, earning A’s and overcoming her fear of being judged or misunderstood for being a non-native English speaker.
Her academic achievements earned her recognition on the President's and Dean's Honors Lists, as well as several scholarships.
Hemat went on to earn multiple certificates in accounting, along with an Associate of Arts in Accounting and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration. Professors like Debra Johnson and William Tsang, along with support programs like EOPS and CalWORKs, played a pivotal role in her success. Work-study opportunities further enhanced her experience, allowing her to build professional skills and confidence across various departments.
In September 2023, she joined Cerritos College as an Administrative Services Technician for EOPS/CARE/LINC/NextUp, where she manages budgets, financial operations, and student support initiatives. Her background in accounting and administration makes her a perfect fit for the role, and as a former EOPS student, she takes pride in giving back to the program that once supported her.
Hemat credits Cerritos College for providing her with a strong foundation of skills, resilience, and determination. “The support system at Cerritos College was invaluable in helping me achieve my goals,” she said. “Thanks to the guidance of dedicated faculty and well-rounded courses, Cerritos College served as the launchpad for my dream career.”
“Every morning, I wake up excited and grateful to go to work. I genuinely enjoy my team, the supportive staff, and our incredible boss, Dr. Patricia Smith.”
Looking ahead, Hemat plans to pursue a master’s degree to further her education in the U.S. For now, she is focused on providing the best possible support and services to Cerritos College students while also supporting her teenage daughter.