Local student aiming to bring change to the community through education

“I want to bring change into my community, through the form of education,” said Joseph Adrian Salazar

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - 33-year-old Joseph Adrian Salazar has been a student at Imperial Valley College for 16 months and will be graduating this year and will transfer to UC San Diego.  

Salazar’s educational journey has been very challenging for him, he struggled financially when he was homeless living behind a veterinary in Brawley in an empty dirt lot.

He was involved in a car crash that almost ended his life. 

Since the accident, Salazar was told by doctors that there was a possibility he wasn't able to walk again.

And was in a wheelchair for quite some time before he transitioned over to crutches improving his mobility to walk. 

A professor of Salazar’s at Imperial Valley College said that he stayed persistent in his education even when challenges were presented to him and that he was always on time for class. 

“He had an accident, he fractured both of his legs, he was wearing some braces and he was taking the bus. He did not have transportation even though he was taking the bus and was in a wheelchair. He was always on time. Always with a positive attitude,” said Imperial Valley College Professor Angie Ruiz.