How long have you been enrolled in the SMC Emeritus program?
Employed at SMC since 3/3/20.
What was your occupation prior to retirement?
Still employed at SMC.
What was your highest level of education?
High school graduate – no college degree.
What are the top three reasons why you value the SMC Emeritus Program?
- Benefits a Demographic that has limited programs that Emeritus offers
- Engages the community
- Shares the value and experiences of life from the people that lived them
Pearls of Wisdom: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
- Chase your dreams.
- Make smart decisions to improve wealth.
- Never be afraid to fail.
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Live life without regrets.
How would your advice to your 50-year-old self differ?
It would be the same but objectively different at 61. Chasing dreams at 18 are travel to climb Mt Everest, smart decisions for monetary wealth, be fearless in both physical and mental endeavors and not regretting decisions made. Chasing dreams at 61 travel to a quiet lake and fishing, wealth is no longer monetary "time" is the greatest value, Never be afraid to fail but now fully understanding at 61 the consequence of failure effects more than yourself and still live life without regrets.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments in life?
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Traveled to 49 of 50 states.
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Road crew for a Rock Band. Member of a Circus Troop.
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Being the Manager of Maintenance and Construction at SMMUSD, Director of Maintenance and Operations at Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified and Director of Facilities at Santa Monica College without a college degree.
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Married Diana Kamibayashi (Moreno). My sisters and I caring for our elderly parents.
The SMC Emeritus Program has helped me as a lifelong learner because I am not a student but my wife is and really enjoys the programs offered. Her physical and mental health are improved with the interactions with staff and students. I personally have enjoyed working with Emeritus on maintenance projects and unexpected emergencies and understand the urgency to maintain a safe facility for students within this demographic.
The best part about being an SMC Emeritus student sharing the happiness my wife expresses after her classes.