Nicholas Diaz is a Business Administration major and graduate of Rio Hondo College. He completed his enrollment in the Spring of 2016, receiving multiple degrees, Dean’s Honors, and acceptance to the University of California, Riverside. Diaz is a shining example of Rio Hondo student potential. His success is both a product of his hard work, and his dedication for what he loves.

“He is outgoing, incredibly bright, inquisitive, and a hard worker,” said Jannine Livingston, Professor of Music at Rio Hondo. “I had him in several piano classes,” Livingston says. Since the days in her classroom, Livingston recognized Diaz as hardworking. “[He] represented Rio Hondo in the true sense of the word.”

Diaz was accepted into the school’s Honor College, and within the college, Diaz obtained a position as an Event Management Intern. He says he will receive an additional $3000 scholarship to be applied to any loans or expenses. his will also be a great opportunity to experience in his field of study, and allow him to become involved in activities at UCR.

“I will be able to oversee and work with the direction of all of the Honor’s  Ambassadors during their events in the upcoming year,” Diaz explains.   

Diaz was also involved in campus activities during his time at Rio Hondo. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors club, as well as Active Minds and was the Inter-Club Council representative of the club for a time. He also completed four degrees in his three years at RHC including Business Administration for Transfer, Associate of Science for Music, General Studies: Fine Arts and Human Expression, General Studies: Social Sciences.                          

“I originally enrolled at Rio Hondo as a Business Administration major,” Diaz explains. Deciding to complete his general education requirements early, Diaz began his enrollment at Rio in the summer of 2013. His first class was ‘Fundamentals of Music,’ with the late Professor Steve Moshier. His experience with Moshier was pivotal in Diaz’s education goals.
“His dedication and love for, not only music, but also his students,” Diaz says, is what developed his love for music, and a drive to earn a degree in the field. “I was influenced to begin pursuing a Music degree, in addition to my business degree.”

Steve Moshier was a Professor of Music at Rio Hondo College since 1995. Moshier received his Master’s Degree in Music Composition, Music Theory and Composition from California State University, Fullerton, in 1979, composed music outside of work and performed with the Liquid Skin Ensemble. The musician passed away June 19. A memorial service was held in his honor on September 12.

“Everything he says about Steve Moshier is true. Steve was very passionate about music and about teaching,” Livingston, former colleague of Moshier, reaffirms. “He expected a lot [from] his students,” and Diaz managed to meet those expectations.

“He is a great example of what Rio Hondo can do for our students [as well as] a great example of a young man who I have no doubt will be a huge success,” Livingston says.