Coastline ROP Superintendent Brian Dozer, left, stands with Laguna Hills High School student Reece Ayala, Estancia High School student Rosselyn Ruiz and Coastline ROP Educational Services Administrator Gina Escobar on the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. (Photos courtesy of Coastline ROP) 
Coastline ROP Superintendent Dr. Brian Dozer, left, Laguna Hills High student Reece Ayala, Estancia High student Rosselyn Ruiz and Coastline ROP Educational Services Administrator Gina Escobar meet with legislative staff in Sen. Tony Strickland’s office during a visit to the State Capitol in Sacramento. (Photos courtesy of Coastline ROP) 
Laguna Hills High School student Reece Ayala, left, and Estancia High School student Rosselyn Ruiz observe proceedings from the gallery inside the California State Capitol during Coastline ROP’s Legislative Action Day in Sacramento. (Photos courtesy of Coastline ROP)
Quick look: An OC Pathways student ambassador, joined Coastline ROP staff in Sacramento to speak with state legislators about the value of career technical educator, highlighting how hands-on learning and regional partnerships are helping students prepare for college, careers and civic engagement.
When Rosselyn Ruiz stepped into legislative offices in Sacramento earlier this spring, she didn’t bring a prepared speech.
Instead, the Estancia High School senior spoke from experience — sharing how her construction pathway, leadership roles and involvement with OC Pathways have shaped her goals and confidence as a student.
“It was empowering to use my voice in a way that could make a difference,” Ruiz said. “I was able to share what these programs mean to me and why they’re important for other students.”
OC Pathways, a program of the Orange County Department of Education, connects students to career technical opportunities through partnerships with school districts, colleges and industry, helping them explore career pathways and build real-world skills.
Rosselyn was one of two students invited by Coastline Regional Occupational Program to participate in the organization’s annual Legislative Action Day, held March 9–10 — where the group met with seven legislators and their staff to advocate for continued support of career technical education, or CTE, and share firsthand perspectives on how career pathways programs are shaping student experiences.
From classroom to Capitol
Rosselyn, a Newport-Mesa Unified School District student, has been enrolled in the Building Industry Technology Academy at Estancia High since her freshman year and said her pathway has expanded her understanding of both the construction industry and her own interests.
“It’s not just about construction,” she said. “It’s about professionalism, communication and learning how to connect with people in the industry.”
Through her involvement in career education programs, the high school senior discovered an interest in public service and now plans to pursue political science, beginning at a community college after graduation.
The Sacramento trip gave her a firsthand look at a future in public service.
“It made me feel even stronger about what I want to do,” she said. “Being able to talk to legislators and see how they work made me realize that this is something I want to keep pursuing.”
Coastline ROP Superintendent Dr. Brian Dozer said the annual visit is designed to elevate student voice while helping policymakers understand the impact of CTE programs.
“Their stories carry a greater weight than just us talking about the program,” Dozer said. “When students share how these experiences have shaped them, it helps humanize the decisions being made.”
Building confidence through OC Pathways
Rosselyn’s journey also includes her role as an OC Pathways student ambassador, where she has represented her school and connected with peers across Orange County.
She said the program has opened doors to new experiences, allowing her to participate in student panels and engage more actively in her community.
“I don’t think I would be able to communicate with people the way I do now without OC Pathways,” the high school senior said. “It’s helped me grow and get more involved.”
Crystal Meyer, who supports the OC Pathways student ambassador program, said experiences like Rosselyn’s reflect the broader goal of connecting students to real-world opportunities.
“Rosselyn is living proof that when we bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, students don’t just gain skills; they find their voice,” Meyer said.
A regional partnership supporting students
The Sacramento trip also highlights the ongoing collaboration between OC Pathways and Coastline ROP.
OC Pathways works with school districts, colleges and industry partners across the county to expand access to career education opportunities, while Coastline ROP provides hands-on instruction and workforce-aligned pathways for students in multiple districts.
“Together, we’re able to open doors for students that wouldn’t exist otherwise,” said Kathy Boyd, executive director of Career Education and Workforce Development at OCDE.
Through this partnership, students gain access to experiences that extend beyond the classroom — from internships and certifications to leadership and advocacy opportunities.
For Rosselyn, those opportunities have helped shape both her present and her future.
“I never thought I would be the person I am today,” she said. “Now I feel like I can do whatever I set my mind to.”
The Orange County Department of Education is currently accepting applications for the 2026–27 OC Pathways Student Ambassador Program, with the application window open through May 22. Open to students in grades seven through 12 enrolled in career technical education pathways, the program offers leadership development, industry mentorship and opportunities to complete real-world projects. Students can apply through the OC Pathways webpage.