Community Corner

De Anza Student Wins Prestigious Trustees Scholarship

Aspiring entrepreneur Khalid Rasti recipient of De Anza-Foothill Trustees Scholarship for $1,500

When Khalid Rasti graduated from Washington High School in Fremont in 2004, he was one of the top 10 students in his class. Yet while he was accepted by several colleges, he put his plans for higher education on hold as he needed to work full time.

Now back in school at De Anza College, he is the recipient of a Foothill-De Anza Trustees Scholarship for $1,500. The scholarship awards two continuing education students who have demonstrated a strong academic performance and are returning to De Anza College or Foothill College in the next year.

“I heard De Anza has a great transfer program,” said Rasti, citing his reason for entering De Anza in the fall of 2010. “The professors here are also great and have a lot of real world experience.”

Now Rasti aspires to enter to UC Berkeley in the fall of 2012. He hopes to major in accounting, and pursue a graduate degree in business, either to start his own company or secure a prominent role in a Silicon Valley technology giant.

Rasti worked as real estate agent for six years prior to enrolling in De Anza and now assists an attorney part time while attending school. The scholarship, he said, will make a large dent in his overall tuition.

“Your whole tuition is around $3,000, so $1,500 is a huge help,” said Rasti, who lives in Fremont and commutes to school.

Trustees awarded Rasti the award in late June, alongside Foothill College recipient, Heidy Boch. Speaking to trustees, Rasti cited his father, Gulam Rasti, as providing him inspiration to return to school.

His father served as an ambassador to India while the family lived in Afghanistan. When they came to the U.S., he re-entered school at the age of 45 while raising three children.

"When I saw how determined he was to finish school—not once, but twice—it gave me the same motivation," Rasti said. “I am so honored to have a father like that."

Trustee Bruce Swenson also noted Rasti’s dedication and determination to his studies when he honored him with the award in June.

“Khalid has distinguished himself academically and, like many Foothill-De Anza students, he has done this while working and going to school,” said Swenson, who served on the committee to select this year’s winners. “Having had to delay college to go to work, he is very focused on making the most of his education. His determination and drive are truly impressive.”

While Rasti says he benefited from six years of full-time work experience, he felt it was time to return to school.

“If you don’t have a degree,” said Rasti, “you can’t really move onto anything else.”


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