Aida Anstero

Aida is a single mother of a 3 year old son from Palm Desert. She is a full time student attending the nursing program at COD. She will graduate in June of 2013. For the past 7 years she has worked an independent contractor as a care giver. Working in this capacity has been the motivator for her to go to school. She is the first generation in her family to attend college. Aida currently maintains a 3.4 GPA. On top of going to school full time, raising her son she also spend any extra time she has volunteering for various organizations. Giving up is not an option for Aida. Her references praise her work ethic, helping others and very dependable. Read More

Shannon Ashcom

Shannon Ashcom from Palm Springs is a full time student at CSUSB-Palm Desert campus. Shannon was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. She is the first generation in her family to attend college. Shannon currently works as a medical biller. Her goal is to obtain a BSN-RN working in ER or ICU. Shannon is also interested in obtaining a CRNA which qualifies her to perform as an anesthesia.Read More

Anna Baca-Reed

Pursing a career in retail management is the goal of Anna Reed. A resident of Thousand Palms, CA, she has returned to school, working towards an AA in Business Management in her first year at College of the Desert. Upon achieving that, Anna plans to transfer to Cal State to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Read More

Heather Basye

Heather Basye, of Indio, graduated from COD in May 2008 with an AS in Liberal Arts and is now attending Chapman University pursuing a BS in Public Relations & Marketing. Heather loves to write and work with people. When she is not working or going to school she volunteers her time at The Lighthouse of the Valley. Read More

Dee Boyd

Dee Boyd, of Palm Desert, is currently attending COD with the long-range goal of becoming a counselor. Her journey has been de-railed several times by marriages, illness, and motherhood, but she is back on-track with renewed determination to reach her educational goals. She has learned from experience that education is the solution, not the problem. Read More

Viola Boyle

Viola Boyle of Desert Hot Springs is 32, married with two daughters ages 6 and 8. Viola is currently attending COD taking her prerequisites with the goal of being accepted into the RN program. She wants to specialize in labor and delivery. Viola lost her job last year as underwriter for an insurance company. She is very determined and realizes that she is an example to her children. They see her going to school and her greatest hope is that they understand that receiving an education is very important. Read More

Maria Carbajal

Currently attending Cal State, Maria is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is the first woman in her family to attend college. Maria volunteers at the Atria Palm Desert Senior Living Center where she teaches Spanish. Read More

Cheryl Childers

A native of Illinois, Cheryl Childers has lived in La Quinta, CA since 1992. She has a twin sister and a younger brother. Cheryl attended Kent State University, but left college early before earning her degree. She has worked in office management in law firms, a public relations agency, at an escrow company, and for a hotel.

It is Cheryl's plan to obtain her BA in education so that she can pursue her goal to teach or counsel students. She and her son are both enrolled in College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA. Read More

Christy Coe

Christy Coe is a 34 year old single woman from Indio. Christy is currently attending COD full time taking her prerequisites with the goal of entering the nursing program in 2010. Christy wants to become a surgical nurse. While attending COD she has been involved in various study groups as is proud of her ability to explain technical terms to other study group students. Read More

Aneta Cruz

Aneta Cruz, of Indio, is currently attending COD and CSUSB as a full time student pursuing an AA degree and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with the goal of teaching at the college level. Aneta is married and has two children ages 8 & 3. She came to the United States from Czechoslovakia with 1 suitcase. Aneta’s struggles in life have not deterred her from having goals and working very hard to achieve her dreams. Aneta is the first member of her family to attend college. Read More

Brigette Davila

Brigette Davila is a 31 year old single mother of three from La Quinta. She is currently attending COD full time and has three more semesters before completing the nursing program. She has a long term goal of pursuing a bachelor’s degree and work at a local hospital in the maternal child unit. She currently works at JFK Memorial Hospital as a quality and risk management coordination. Brigette’s dream of becoming a nurse started in elementary when her teacher asked the students to write a story about, “What do you want to be when you grow up? Read More

Anne Dumble

Anne is a 40 year old single woman who is the 1st generation in her family to attend college. She is a full time student at COD working towards her AS in Sociology. Her long term goal is to obtain a BS in Sociology so she can become a social worker. She currently holds a 3.66 GPA. Anne is interested in integrating women from prison and homelessness to productive living and happiness. When not attending school or looking for work she volunteers at the House of Hope and Martha’s Village. Anne received the honor of volunteer of the year in 2009 for all of her work at the House of Hope. Anne is very determined and will do whatever it takes to meet her educational goals.Read More

Theresa Earhart

Theresa Earhart of Bermuda Dunes is a 52 year old woman raising her 6 year old grandson after losing her daughter from a brain tumor. She is currently enrolled in the LVN program with CNEI which is a federal program and she has received stimulus money for this program. She is very energetic, motivated, grateful and smart. She knows that once she graduates she will be able to provide entirely for her grandson and will be able to help others in her community who are in need. Theresa is the first person in her family to attend college. Read More

Lisa Kjenstad

Lisa Kjenstad, of Yucca Valley, is currently attending UCR in order to obtain her paralegal certificate. Lisa is a single mother of two sons ages 7 and 2. When Lisa's marriage of 10 years ended she was left financially devastated, lost her home and had to move to a small apartment with her two sons. Lisa currently works at the Law Office of Keller & Kaimer as a legal assistant while she has managed to complete 63 college units. Lisa has been employed as a legal assistant for 8 years. The paralegal certificate will enable Lisa to receive more financial compensation for her efforts at work and will provide her with a more secure future in providing for her family. Read More

Carol Levinson

Carol Levinson from Desert Hot Springs has recently been accepted into the nursing program at COD. Carol has raised 7 children and is now pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Carol is a full time student and is the first generation in her family to attend college. Carol has a longer term goal of obtaining her BSN. She wants to specialize in Oncology. Carol has been working for the past ten years as a caretaker.Read More

Antonia Mata

Antonia Mata, of Cathedral City, CA, is a full time student at COD pursing an AA with a longer term goal of obtaining a BA in Psychology. Her dream is to become a social worker helping troubled teens. Antonia is a single mother of two teenage daughters. She has overcome difficult obstacles in her life and is certain that one day she will make a difference in the lives of others. Antonia is a very determined woman and will do whatever it takes to meet her educational goals. Read More

Laura Mack

Laura Mack is a 32 year old single mother of a 4 year old son from Palm Desert. Laura is attending COD part-time taking her prerequisites with the goal of being accepted into the RN program in 2010 with a graduation date of 2012. She is interested in NICU or wants to be a flight nurse on the medivac helicopters. Read More

Sandra Munoz

Sandra Munoz is a 29 year old single mother of two living in Indio. She is currently attending COD in the Vocational Nursing program. Sandra is the first generation in her family to attend college. She is currently working at the Oasis Rehabilitation Center as a mental health worker. She has the support of her current manager with the commitment that upon graduation they will move her into a LVN position. Sandra is specifically interested in women's health issues. Read More

Margaret Reasor

Margaret "Missy" Reasor is a 31 year old single mother of 3. She is currently attending COD full time pursuing a certificate in Drug & Alcohol. Missy is a first generation in her family to attend college. After working through many personal obstacles I was fortunate enough to read these works "Above All, Try Something (Ben Franklin) which motivated her to take a risk and enroll in college. She is dedicated to her education goals in order to provide a better life for her children. Read More

Kelley Shiverdeck

Kelley Shiverdeck, of Palm Desert, is currently attending Cal State San Bernardino full time. She is 2 quarters away from graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. Kelley will continue her education beyond that with the intention of obtaining her credentials to become an elementary school teacher. After a number of years working dead end and low paying jobs, she decided to go back to college in order to make something of herself and to obtain a better life. She credits her decision to go back to school to her mother. After watching her mother put herself through college (with 3 small children at home) and become an educator herself, she realized that life doesn't wait for anyone and there was no excuse for not living up to her potential. Although college has been a long road and tough at times, it has been a wonderful opportunity. Read More

Jennifer Stebbins

A resident of Cathedral City, Jennifer has returned to school to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She is in her second year of liberal studies at College of the Desert. After receiving her Associates Degree, she will transfer to CAL State to work on her teaching credential. Jennifer is a divorced mother of two elementary school sons. She volunteers at her children's schools and created a girlfriends book club. Jennifer's book club participates in local charity events, i.e. Women Running Wild and 6K Tram Road Challenge. Read More

Ivy Vu

Ivy Vu is a 25 year old single mother of a daughter from Rancho Mirage. Ivy is currently in her 2nd semester at COD pursing a degree in Nursing. Ivy wants to specialize in becoming an anesthesiologist. She is the first in her family to attend college. Ivy is the primary provider for her daughter, mother and 14 year old sister. Read More