Growing up without cable TV, University of Southern California senior Marco Ramirez spent his childhood watching local news channels while his parents worked long hours—his father as a receiver at Disneyland and his mother as a teacher's aide for special needs children. Now, he is a first-generation college journalism major aspiring to become a reporter. Ramirez is working at Channel 5 KTLA alongside reporters he used to admire. Ramirez’s and his sister’s achievements have inspired their mother to return to school for higher education. Ramirez thanks his family for instilling the value of hard work and credits the Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC) for helping him pursue his dream of becoming a TV reporter.

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16th Annual NAC Thanksgiving Dinner - Ceremonial cutting of the turkey (Dr. Henry T. Nicholas, Marco Ramirez, Rudy Duarte) (Photo: Business Wire)

On Nov. 26, 2024, Broadcom co-founder and NAC’s principal benefactor Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the NAC, and community members gathered for the 16th annual NAC Thanksgiving dinner to reflect on the boundless achievements of the NAC graduates and alumni and to give thanks for the dedication and opportunities provided by the NAC community. NAC benefactor Dr. Nicholas, Executive Director of the NAC Rodolfo Duarte, and NAC Class of 2021 alumnus Ramirez led the ceremonial cutting of the turkey, symbolizing unity and gratitude.

“If you had told me when I was in high school that I would get to pass on words to NAC students, it would have floored me. I'm grateful and proud to know that I can inspire others. ‘Dr. Nick’ and his mission to empower students like me by providing resources and facilities is amazing. He wants the best for the next generation of learners,” said Ramirez, who will graduate in May from his dream school thanks to the NAC’s assistance in securing scholarships.

“The NAC is the only organization where the standards have risen as the size grew. Before, NAC was an exploratory thing about college, but now we’re in the second generation of success. I’m humbled by the students and give thanks to them on this Thanksgiving celebration,” said Dr. Nicholas.

“We’re breaking barriers, opening doors, and creating spaces for others to follow,” said Duarte.

“What you are seeing today are miracles … The pathway to the middle class is education,” said Congressman Lou Correa.

The NAC provides highly qualified staff, academic assistance and tutoring, social services, cultural enrichment programs, college access and support services, and need-based scholarship opportunities for students. A total of 2,270 NAC graduates have received over $124.1 million in scholarships and grants. The NAC graduates currently attend or have attended some of the finest educational institutions, including Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Princeton, and other elite universities such as Stanford, Chicago, Notre Dame, Washington (St. Louis), Syracuse, University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of California, Berkeley.

The NAC is generously funded by the Henry T. Nicholas III Education Foundation and was founded by Dr. Nicholas and Retired Superior Court Judge Jack Mandel on Oct. 10, 2007. Since its inception, Dr. Nicholas has donated $51.3 million to support the three NAC locations in downtown Santa Ana, Valley High School, and Century High School.

View: Press Packet

NAC Graduate Statistics:

• 91% who enrolled in four-year universities have graduated or remain enrolled (national average retention rate of 82%)
• 81% who attended four-year universities graduated in six years (national average of 62%)
• 11% between 2009 and 2014 who attended four-year universities have graduated or currently remain enrolled in graduate school

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