When she was younger, Lori Young fell in love with playing “office” and “school” at home, opting for the fun of imaginary “clients” and “students” over the more typical board games or play forts. Though she didn’t know it at the time, these childhood games would eventually lead her towards her very own grown up office and school, and now that she’s landed herself in the career of her dreams, she’s never been happier.

Young is a full time professor here at COC, having joined the faculty after retiring from a fulfilling career at a law firm. She started off with an Associate’s Degree from Antelope Valley College just a drive down from Santa Clarita, and worked all the way up to her Master’s from the George Washington University.

“I wake up every morning looking forward to going to work,” Young says. “Getting to mentor students and watch them blossom.. It’s just an amazing thing to experience.”

Young teaches in the Paralegal Studies department here at COC, where she’s currently an instructor for Intro to Law, Contract Law, and Legal Technology.

She’s not just a professor and an advocate of the law, though. She’s also a motivator, mentor, and inspirer to her students.

“I want my students to believe in themselves and to challenge themselves to reach their goals,” she says. “I constantly remind them to continue their education and to never stop learning.”

Young’s love of law and the thrill of education come second only to her love for her family and friends. You can often find her scouting for sea glass out on the beach, or perhaps rewatching Erin Brokovich or Moneyball for the millionth time.

During sports seasons, she’s either cheering on her favorite teams (the Bruins and the Dodgers, of course) or out on the trails hiking or bicycling.

Young is happily married and has plans to travel to the Galapagos Islands, not only to enjoy the beauty and scenery that they offer, but to see what educational opportunities await her there, too.