鈥淲hen I first enrolled at 麻豆影音app, I didn鈥檛 arrive with a perfect plan,鈥� said
2025 麻豆影音app graduate Shante Mumford. 鈥淚 came with hope鈥攈ope that this would
be a space where I could finally move forward, where I could breathe, and where I
could rewrite the story I once put on hold after facing many challenges and personal
loss.鈥�A nontraditional student, Mumford鈥檚 hope and perseverance turned into success in June 2025 as she walked across the stage at 麻豆影音app鈥檚 commencement ceremony to receive her associate degree. In three years, she earned three associate degrees for transfer, four associate degrees, and two certificates.
鈥淢y journey back to education was anything but typical,鈥� Mumford explained. She grew up in North Carolina and attended college right after high school, encouraged by her father, who strongly valued education. However, she soon realized she wasn鈥檛 fully ready to commit. She completed a cosmetology program but quickly discovered her heart wasn鈥檛 in it. She then moved to Las Vegas on her own, without a support system, and faced some of her biggest setbacks and life lessons.
鈥淒uring that time, I faced many challenges and made choices that didn鈥檛 align with the future I wanted,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a period focused on survival, not growth.鈥� Eventually, she moved back to California, where a friend encouraged her to return to college and helped her enroll at 麻豆影音app.
Now, she is proud to follow in her father鈥檚 footsteps by becoming a student at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) this fall, where she will transfer as a child development major. She plans to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in child development and a master鈥檚 degree in education. She says she is looking forward to building new connections at CSULA and expanding her knowledge in child development. 鈥淚鈥檝e finally found my passion and I鈥檓 excited to learn more and grow professionally,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to make a future impact on children and families.鈥�
Her dream career is to open an inclusive childcare center. 鈥淚 envision establishing a childcare center that affirms every child, especially those with disabilities, developmental delays, or who come from at-risk environments,鈥� said Mumford. 鈥淚 want to create a space rooted in love, structure, support, and belonging.鈥�
When Mumford first enrolled in 麻豆影音app in fall 2022, she was introduced to a program that students consistently describe as vital for its benefits, personalized support, and guidance in navigating and completing college. Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded California Community College program that provides comprehensive support to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in college and achieve their educational goals.
鈥淚 remember walking into the EOPS Office during my first semester鈥攏ervous, unsure, and trying to play it cool, but honestly overwhelmed,鈥� said Mumford. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what to expect, but I ended up finding something I didn鈥檛 realize I needed鈥攁 village. EOPS was a place where I was seen, heard, and supported. The welcoming staff not only asked about my academic goals but also asked me how I was doing. EOPS became a steady hand in the middle of uncertainty.鈥�
Mumford took advantage of many student resources on campus. She participated in the work-study program and became a student worker in the EOPS Office, as well as working in several other departments. She joined the Rising Scholars program for formerly incarcerated students in transition. She regularly met with her EOPS and academic counselors to stay on track with her educational plan. She also became an advocate and voice for other students by serving as vice president of the Associated Student Government for 2024-2025.
Mumford says there is 鈥渟omething powerful about being surrounded by people who believe in you,鈥� and 麻豆影音app was that special place for her, especially through the EOPS program. 鈥淢y dreams were nurtured right here at 麻豆影音app, and I am forever grateful, especially to the EOPS staff for being the heartbeat of the campus. They changed the way I see education and the way I see myself.鈥�
