Newsroom

Archita Gupta was born and raised in India, where she lived until her senior year of high school. Her dad received a job transfer to the U.S. and moved the family there right after Archita graduated.

“When I moved here, it was quite a change because I hadn't been to a different country ever,” says Archita. “And I moved in mid-summer, so I didn't know many people here. I was desperately waiting for college to start so that I could make friends.”

She chose Raritan Valley Community College due to its affordability and proximity to her new home in New Jersey. And thanks to her Honors College admissions, she would also have the opportunity to take smaller, seminar-style courses alongside a select community of like-minded scholars.

“They’re all driven to be successful at what they want to do—which makes me feel like I can be, too,” says Archita, who made it a point to get to know her classmates at orientation. “I knew it would help to see familiar faces when classes started so I’d have people to talk to,” she says.

Archita initially enrolled at RVCC as a film major, then switched gears to communications and media studies for a broader perspective in storytelling. “I’ve always been a creative arts person,” says Archita, who liked the fact the communications program would allow her to focus on her specific area of interests in digital media and video production.

Upon receiving her communications associate degree from RVCC this spring, Archita plans to transfer to a four-year college in the northeast to continue her journey in communications and media studies.

Her eventual goal is to pursue career paths in communications that will allow her to blend her skills in digital media, filmmaking, graphic design, and visual arts—ideally, while also integrating her Indian culture.

“I'm really looking forward to creating something that represents the people in my community and makes them feel seen,” she says. “I want to bring where I'm from—the culture—to the forefront so they feel at home, even though they’re not.”

In the meantime, Archita is putting her creative skills to good use as VP of Information and Media for RVCC’s Student Government Association. In her role at SGA, Archita runs the group’s social media account, creates promotional materials, and engages students on campus for events.

She’s also been keeping busy on campus as a member of the Rotaract Club, a writer for The Record, and an active participant in service learning projects—including her documentary film about food insecurity and the RVCC Food Pantry—for which she received a student ambassador award nomination.

Archita credits the RVCC community as a big factor in her success thus far. “One thing I really like about RVCC is the one-on-one attention,” says Archita. “If you want a professor to talk to you one-on-one, they have time for it. If you want to talk with an advisor to help you with something, they have the time for it. And I think that's really valuable, since in bigger schools, you don't always get that,” she says.

Become the Next RVCC Communications Success Story!

Have you been researching “what is an associate degree in communications?” or “where can I get a communications associate degree near me?” You can find this information and more on RVCC’s Communication and Media career pathway page, which outlines different job options in the field, related programs, and other helpful guidance.

About RVCC

RVCC is ranked #1 among the best community colleges in NJ by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, a vibrant campus life, and more to set students up for success. Apply today!