Adriana Brady, a portrait
Adriana skating at the Kings Holiday Ice Rink
Adriana upon committing to play volleyball at SMC
Adriana Brady
Adriana and Tommy Trojan
Like a short serve dropping just over the volleyball net, the wildfires struck fast and low, landing at an unexpected moment. The Corsair (opens in new window) , Santa Monica College’s award-winning student-run media outlet, had just returned from the winter break hiatus when the Palisades and Eaton Fires started. Adriana Brady was only two weeks into her tenure as its new editor-in-chief, with only a barebones editorial team in the bullpen. But she knew how crucial it was for them to ensure students and local residents received timely information as the fires raged.
"We were doing a lot of live updates those first few days," she recounts. "Not just coverage of the fires but the relief efforts that were happening in real-time. It was a lot, but I knew we could do it."
That experience marked a seminal point for Adriana, who went on to lead the award-winning publication (opens in new window) to new heights this year, with coverage featuring everything from federal updates on student visa policies and union strikes to heartfelt stories about locals working to create change. It's an unexpected but welcome path for the L.A. native, who graduates this year from Santa Monica College with an Associate degree in Journalism.
Collegiate volleyball was what Adriana had in mind when she first enrolled at SMC. A self-professed volleyball nerd, she'd devoted herself to the sport for more than 10 years and chose SMC for its strong women's volleyball program. But after getting sidelined due to some injuries, she decided to step away from the sport she loved.
"I took a long break from it," Adriana shares. "I used to be so obsessed with volleyball. And now I'm re-learning how to love the game again — not so much as a player but just someone who cares about the sport."
That’s when Adriana decided to focus on writing—her other passion in life—and this eventually led her to The Corsair. The publication had interviewed her a few times during her time on the volleyball team; now, she realized it was a way to work on both her passions. After talking to an SMC counselor about pursuing journalism for her degree, Adriana decided to join The Corsair's editorial team and was quickly tapped to serve as sports editor. Her stories — ranging from coverage of volleyball matches to human interest features — quickly earned her recognition and, eventually, the offer to helm the publication.
"Being a part of The Corsair has truly changed my life," says Adriana. "It's definitely been one of the highlights of my time at Santa Monica College."
Adriana adds that the road to SMC had been a difficult one due to the limited guidance made available to her back in high school.
"Taking those first steps and navigating college was difficult," she explains. "When I first started applying to schools, I had no idea what I was doing. My parents didn't finish college, so I relied mostly on my counselors for guidance. But in my school, there were so many of us and only four counselors."
But once she arrived at SMC, Adriana quickly found the support and resources she needed to succeed. After learning about The Scholars Program (opens in new window) —which prepares nontraditional, first-generation students, and other freshman students for transfer to the four-year school of their choice—she signed up and immediately enrolled in honors classes. The program's counselors became a vital source of encouragement, guiding her through the transfer process and helping her navigate everything from course planning to admission deadlines.
They are incredible," says Adriana emphatically. "Hands down, they are the best counselors I've ever worked with — so welcoming and knowledgeable about the entire transfer admission process we have to go through."
"I've been given so much support here," she adds. "I don't know if I could have gotten that anywhere else."
Another source of support and guidance arose during her time at The Corsair, where Adriana found an unexpected mentor in Sharyn Obsatz, an SMC journalism professor and one of The Corsair’s faculty advisors.
"She's great!" Adriana says. "She's just always there, and I know I can always talk to her. When she learns about an opportunity that might be beneficial to us, she'll share it right away. She was the first person I thought of when I needed a recommendation letter for my transfer applications."
All those resources and supports have made a difference: Adriana was accepted to several universities, including the University of Southern California, where she’ll be transferring this fall to pursue a degree in journalism. It’s a big step that brings her closer to her dream career as a sports journalist covering the NBA or WNBA.
"Be open to change," she tells new students. "Some of the most rewarding experiences come from the unexpected."
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SMC in Focus Volume XI, Issue 3
Future Designs
Navy veteran Antonio Renoj graduates having found purpose, community and a creative future at Santa Monica College. Read Article
From Center Line to Byline
Adriana Brady was only two weeks into her tenure as The Corsair's new editor-in-chief when the devastating Los Angeles fires broke out. Read Article
Victoria’s Big Victory
It took eight years, but Victoria Salazar finally received the “thick envelope” from UC San Diego. The 2025 graduating student speaker shares her story of self-reliance, tenacity and hope. Read Article
A New Chapter for SMC’s Creative Writing Program
For the first time, SMC’s Creative Writing Program is offering a 12-unit creative writing certificate for anyone who wants to take their writing to the next level. Read Article
Bragging Rights
A dean receives a statewide award for leadership excellence. A police chief marches from from Auschwitz to Birkenau. An English prof. has a new short story out. Read Article
The Art of the Pivot
Graduating this year with associate degrees in philosophy and general science, Dexter Mack is ready to take the next step toward his dream of studying neuroscience. Read Article