The Power of a Skyline Start

From classroom to Capitol, Steven Lee’s path began with purpose at Skyline College

September 30th, 2025

Written by Mila Yoch

 

 

Before Steven Lee became a legislative aide, Army officer, or small business owner, he was a Skyline College student discovering his sense of purpose. “Skyline was where I found my footing,” Steven explains. “It reaffirmed my interests and provided the foundation I needed.”  

As the son of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Steven arrived at Skyline with a strong sense of independence and a desire to serve his community. He nearly enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school, but his mother encouraged him to pursue college instead.  

Inspired by his older sister’s decision to attend Skyline—who is now completing a master's in social work at San Francisco State University—and drawn to the college’s reputation for solid foundational learning, Steven enrolled with renewed motivation. At Skyline, he studied philosophy, political science, and public speaking. These courses did more than shape his academic goals—they sharpened his morals and leadership skills.  

“Those first two years were foundational,” he notes. “They helped me understand who I was and what I stood for.”  

After earning his associate’s degree, Steven transferred to UCLA to study Political Theory and Philosophy. There, he joined Alpha Phi Omega, played intramural flag football, and enlisted in the California Army National Guard. His career expanded through internships with CA Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, voter data work at the San Francisco Department of Elections, and earning a graduate degree in Public Administration from SFSU.  

By age 27, Steven achieved a role he had envisioned in high school: legislative assistant to CA Assemblymember Mike Fong, chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and the Assembly Higher Education Committee. “It wasn’t the easiest path,” Steven admits. “But I stayed the course because I believed in the value of it.”  

Never one to stay still for long, Steven sought to expand his support for the community through both local governance and entrepreneurship. While managing his work at the California State Capitol, he and his wife, Carmen, simultaneously launched Sunset Commons, a community café and creative workshop space in San Francisco. Originating from a peer learning group which he hosted for years, the café offers arts and crafts kits, artist-led workshops, and a welcoming space for events.  

His message to students in the San Mateo Community College District? “Stay involved, network, find a mentor. Your general education is about more than academics—ask moral questions and engage in something bigger than yourself.”  

Concerning alumni identity, Steven believes that “community college alumni often feel more connected to their junior colleges than their transfer schools.” And while opinions may vary, for Steven, this rings true: “Skyline shaped me. It was the beginning of everything.”  

Steven Lee’s story reflects the transformative power of community college. From Skyline to the State Capitol to Sunset Commons, he continues to create spaces—civic and communal—where others can succeed. 

Connect with Steven and Sunset Commons: LinkedIn | @sunsetcommons | sunsetcommons.store