Spotlight on Success: Brandon Ng

By: Brian Fischer

Extended, Professional and Continuing Education offers the Quarter Plus program for incoming first-year students seeking an early start to their college experience.

A key component of the Quarter Plus program is its dedicated student mentors, known as learning assistants. Each year, these mentors are hired to lead study sessions and support new students as they navigate the transition from high school to college.

In 2021, Brandon Ng entered the Quarter Plus program as a first-year electrical engineering student, not knowing it would be the start of his path toward mentorship and leadership at Cal Poly.

His experience in the program became a pivotal point in his academic journey, highlighting his dedication and growth while showcasing the powerful impact of immersive learning.

The Quarter Plus program provides an accelerated start to college, allowing first-year students to earn eight units in four weeks before the academic year begins. Students take two courses, including COMS 101 or ENGL 145, plus a General Education course. With support from learning assistants, the program fosters academic growth and helps students confidently transition into their first full semester at Cal Poly.

In 2022, Brandon returned to Quarter Plus as a learning assistant, stepping into a mentor role where he guided and supported fellow students. His dedication to academic excellence and integrity quickly became a model for others, reflecting the core values of the program.

By 2023, Brandon took on an even greater challenge as the lead learning assistant for COMS 101: Public Speaking. In this leadership role, he demonstrated the qualities of an effective leader, fostering strong connections with both students and fellow learning assistants. His efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment, both in study sessions and extracurricular activities, helped build a tight-knit community within Quarter Plus.

Brandon's impact extended beyond the classroom. He played a crucial role in cultivating a more cohesive learning assistant community, showcasing the importance of collaboration and support within the program.

Reflecting on his experiences, Brandon shared, "My favorite part of Quarter Plus was the unique connections I was able to build with people, both as a student and as a learning assistant."

"It was great to see that the effort that I put in made an impact on the learning assistant team, and I hope to carry that into working as part of a diverse thinking team in my career."

These connections, rooted in shared memories and stories unique to Quarter Plus, have created a special community that endures long after the program concludes.

As Brandon continues to evolve in his academic and professional career, his experiences serve as a beacon of the program's lasting influence, reminding us of the deep connections and skills it imparts to students as they begin their journey at Cal Poly.