Yuxiang (Charles) Zhu didn't just attend Citrus College — he helped build its community, launching the campus Engineering Club and serving two terms on the student executive board along the way. Now, the decorated graduate is taking that drive to UCLA's Samueli School of Engineering, where he hopes to design robots that make a real difference in people's lives.

Following his graduation from Arcadia High School (Arcadia Unified School District) in 2022, Charles was eager to enroll at Citrus College. "My sister graduated from Citrus in 2015," he explained. "After hearing about her many great experiences, I decided to become an Owl myself."

It wasn't long before Charles was an active member of the campus community. From launching the Citrus Engineering Club to serving on a variety of student committees, he was committed to giving back. "My Citrus experience has been awesome! I had the opportunity to grow past the capacity I had predicted for myself when I first enrolled," he said. "Citrus gave me the room and support I needed to expand my horizons."

For Charles, expanding his horizons included joining the college's TRIO STEM and honors transfer programs, as well as serving two consecutive terms as an officer on the Associated Students of Citrus College (ASCC) Executive Board. In fact, he believes his time with the ASCC was the most meaningful aspect of his academic journey. "I had the privilege of actively engaging with the college and playing a role in campus initiatives," he said. "Together, we transformed Citrus into more than just an academic institution; it was a community where we could find a sense of belonging."

With his extensive community service and impressive academic achievement, it is not surprising that Charles earned numerous honors during his time at Citrus College. These include two Distinguished Student in mathematics awards, a Citrus College Key of Knowledge, a President's Volunteer Service Bronze Award, an Edison Technology scholarship, a Men of Color scholarship and the 2024 Citrus College Service Leader of the Year Award. He was also a semifinalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation transfer scholarship.

Having concluded his time at Citrus College, Charles now plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science at UCLA. His ultimate goal is to become a robotic engineer. "I aspire to be a researcher who crafts intelligent systems that solve real-world problems," he said. "Whether assisting first responders in disaster zones or participating in urban farming projects to reduce food insecurity, robotics is a something that can be used to positively impact society."