The door to Elizabeth “Liz” Esparza’s office is rarely closed.

On most days at Los Medanos College, it sits slightly open, an unspoken invitation for students to step in, take a breath and be heard. Inside, Esparza greets each visitor with the same warmth, often surrounded by small comforts—stickers, snacks, and a steady presence that has made her one of the most recognizable and approachable faces within the Disabled Students Programs and Services office.

“I want them to feel comfortable coming in,” Esparza said. “The first impression of yourself is the first impression of the department.”

As the DSPS assistant at the Brentwood Center, Esparza serves as the front line for students navigating accommodations and support services. From helping students apply to the program to coordinating exam proctoring and connecting them with counselors, her role is both administrative and deeply personal. But beyond the logistics, it is her approach rooted in empathy and accessibility that defines her work.

A former LMC student herself, Esparza’s journey to DSPS was not a straight line. Born in Mexico and raised between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, she initially built a career in the medical field, working nearly a decade as a medical assistant and surgical technician. Her original goal was to continue into nursing, completing prerequisites at LMC while working as a student employee.

When that path shifted, Esparza found something unexpected in higher education.

“I realized I still get to help people,” she said. “It went from patients to students and families. It’s still what I love to do.”

That sense of care shows in the way she interacts with students, many of whom arrive overwhelmed or unsure of their next steps. DSPS at LMC provides accommodations such as alternative testing environments, assistive technology and academic support to help students with disabilities fully participate in their education. But for Esparza, the program is also about meeting students where they are emotionally.

“Sometimes they just need someone to listen,” she said. “You can see when they’re stressed, and having a space where they feel safe makes a difference.”

Her office often becomes that space. Students stop by not only for services but for reassurance, conversation or a quick reset between classes. Esparza leans into those moments, drawing from her own experiences as a once-introverted student who learned to find her voice over time.

“I used to be really shy,” she said. “But college pushed me to speak up. Now I try to be that first person to say, ‘Hey, welcome,’ so they don’t feel alone.”

That mindset aligns with the broader mission of DSPS, which focuses on creating equitable access to education while encouraging student independence. Esparza emphasizes that while support is always available, success ultimately depends on students taking initiative.

“We guide them, but they have to want it for themselves,” she said. “They deserve that opportunity.”

Outside of her role in DSPS, Esparza also serves as vice president of the Classified Senate of Los Medanos College, where she helps represent classified professionals in campus decision-making. The position allows her to extend her impact beyond individual interactions, advocating for collaboration and community across departments.

Through campus events like fundraisers and themed spirit days, Esparza works to create moments of connection among staff, reinforcing her belief that a positive workplace culture directly benefits students.

“You have to make work fun,” she said. “If we’re all connected, that energy carries over to students.”

That sense of community is what Esparza says excites her most about working at a community college. For her, LMC is more than a workplace, it is a network of relationships built on shared goals.

“Everybody belongs here,” she said. “It’s not just coming to work and leaving. It’s people.”

Her “why,” she explained, is simple: seeing students succeed. Whether it is helping someone organize their study habits, encouraging them to stay enrolled or celebrating their achievements at graduation, Esparza measures success through the people she supports.

“The most rewarding part is seeing them walk across that stage,” she said. “Knowing their name, knowing their story. It makes it personal.”

Looking ahead, Esparza hopes to continue growing within student services, possibly stepping into a larger leadership role where she can influence programs on a broader scale. But regardless of title, her focus remains the same.

“I just want them to know they’re worth it,” she said. “Everything they’re going through right now is temporary, but their goals are long term.”

Until then, her door will remain open. Ready for the next student who needs guidance, encouragement or simply a place to belong.