The SBCC Foundation recently hosted its first Alumni Speaker Series event featuring Mark Korte-Nahabedian, SBCC alumnus and corporate affairs advisor at Chevron.

Emma Horanic, director of the SBCC Marine Diving Technology Program, served as emcee for the evening.

Korte-Nahabedian discussed his professional path and shared stories from his time as a geology student at SBCC to his career in corporate affairs, sustainability, and community engagement.

Among his roles at Chevron, he has served as a low carbon coordinator, responsible for energy transition and coordinating carbon intensity reduction activities, and leading teams that perform geologic characterization for carbon capture, utilization and sequestration.
 
Korte-Nahabedian said the education he received at SBCC prepared him for a perfectly tailored career that combines a knowledge of geology, ocean conservation (he’s also a diver), and community outreach.

He said SBCC faculty are mentors who instill confidence in students by offering professional networking opportunities, field trips, and personal guidance. He’s still in touch with some of his favorite professors.
 
“The education my classmates and I received in SBCC’s Earth and Planetary Sciences department built our foundational skills up to a level that was like putting rockets on our roller skates,” he said. “Our cohort that transferred to UCSB was very good, and very prepared.”

The event, held at the Fé Bland Forum on campus, opened with a networking reception where attendees could chat with SBCC alumni, students, donors, and community partners.