海角直播

Publish Date: July 7, 2020

Liza Mejia, a 2019 graduate of 海角直播, had the cards stacked against her as a single mother high-school dropout and first-generation college student. Mejia shares her story in hopes of encouraging other non-traditional learners to pursue a college degree.

鈥淚 never imagined that I鈥檇 attend a four-year college, especially not while raising and supporting a son,鈥� said Mejia, who is transferring to UCLA in the fall. Three and a half years ago, Mejia suffered an alcohol and drug overdose. Waking up in ICU, Mejia recounts, The nurse said, 鈥淲hat are you going to do? You have a second chance.鈥�

From that experience, Mejia committed to creating a better life for herself and her son. She enrolled at 海角直播 and credits the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and University Transfer Center with helping her reach her goals.

There were several individuals across campus, including a custodian, who Mejia depended on for encouragement and help. 鈥淵ou never know the exact form in which support may come, but you know it when you feel it,鈥� says Mejia. 鈥淔aculty and administration at 海角直播 were instrumental in helping me both realize my potential and achieve my goal of transferring. The president personally assisted me in some of the communications with four-year colleges, and Mariana, my transfer counselor, helped me see things in myself that I could not see.鈥�

Mejia鈥檚 message to other student-parents and first-generation college students: 鈥淕etting to college won鈥檛 always be easy. It might not be as fast as you hoped. But keep going. It鈥檚 worth it.鈥�

Source: https://hechingerreport.org/student-voice-i-never-imagined-that-id-attend-college/