Melissa Stager

Melissa Stager tried her hand at three community colleges before settling down at MiraCosta, where she was able to make excellent contacts and begin to establish her career as an artist. 

“Through MiraCosta College I got exposure to sculpture and art,” says Melissa. “But what really made MiraCosta College stand out from the other colleges I attended was the professors and the contacts I made in their classes.”

Now, this artist is working toward her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University and even considering obtaining a master’s degree.

“I developed close relationships with professors at MiraCosta and they pushed me to transfer to State,” she explains.  “Now, the contacts I have made at State and my professors from MiraCosta are talking to me about graduate school.”

While Melissa is considering attending graduate school, she says she first wants to focus on finishing up her Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Design.  In the meantime, Melissa’s work is being showcased in different art shows and galleries around San Diego.

“A lot of my work revolves around nostalgia and loss.  I use plastic dollhouse furniture from the ‘50s which creates a sense of loneliness, a feeling that something has been lost,” explains Melissa.  “I really feel like I’m now stepping into my own work and that each piece is helping me to discover who I am as an artist.”

While Melissa is keeping busy with school, art shows, and with raising her 10 year-old son, she also makes time to reach out to and make contacts with MiraCosta's art students.

"I provide tours for MiraCosta art classes at SDSU in my free time.  I hear all the time that students don't know what department they want to enroll in.  I hope that by seeing the departments, they can get a better idea of what they want to pursue."

Melissa also hopes that with her help, other art students will be able to find a direction that satisfies and inspires them.

"Sometimes, when I get frustrated, I think, 'I should have stayed a secretary!'" she says.  "But the rewards are amazing.  Once I started at MiraCosta and at State I finally felt part of a community and have people around me who are so supportive."