Rebuilding from Within: Finding Purpose Through STEM at LTCC

April 27, 2026

For some students, the path to college is straightforward. For others, it is anything but.

For Lake Tahoe Community College student Atticus Judd, the journey to higher education began after years of uncertainty, marked by a challenging upbringing, being expelled from multiple schools, and ultimately leaving high school early. For a long time, traditional education did not feel like a place where success was possible.

Instead, he found his footing in the trades.

After leaving school, Atticus built a career in plumbing, developing hands-on skills and eventually taking on large-scale work in festival operations. The work was fast-paced and demanding. While it brought a sense of accomplishment, it also came with long hours and increasing pressure.

Behind the scenes, he was navigating his mental health, working through a diagnosis and periods of self-medicating without consistent access to care, challenges that were often intensified by the demands of the job.

“It worked for a while, but it wasn’t something I could sustain long-term,” Judd said.

What remained constant through every phase of his life was a natural inclination to build. From plumbing systems to woodworking and hands-on projects, he was drawn to understanding how things worked, how pieces came together, and how to create something from the ground up.

That curiosity eventually led him to ask a different question: What if he could build at a higher level?

After several years of going back and forth on returning to school, a conversation about the Lake Tahoe College Promise program opened the door to new possibilities. With that support, Atticus made the decision to step away from his career and commit to his education.

Starting over came with challenges. He began by rebuilding foundational skills, particularly in math, and committed himself to tutoring each week. What started as a necessity soon became a source of connection and confidence.

Today, Atticus works as a tutor, supporting students who may be navigating similar starting points.

“I know what it feels like to struggle in the beginning,” he said. “Having people show up for me made all the difference.”

Now on a STEM pathway, Atticus is pursuing engineering with a focus on aerospace design. What once took shape through physical trades is now evolving into a future rooted in innovation, problem-solving, and contributing to complex systems.

He plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in materials science, and so far, he has been accepted to the University of California, Davis for Aerospace Engineering.

Beyond academics, Atticus is actively involved on campus. He serves in student senate, contributes to student success initiatives, and works to help create pathways for future STEM students.

His long-term goal is to contribute to advancements in the aerospace industry while remaining grounded in ethics and responsibility.

But for Atticus, success is not defined by achievements alone.

“You don’t have to change the world,” he said. “Just do good for the person next to you.”

That mindset continues to guide both his academic journey and the impact he hopes to leave behind, supporting others, building alongside his peers, and creating opportunities for those who come next.

At LTCC, Atticus’s story is a reminder that the most meaningful paths are the ones we build ourselves.