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From community college to bachelor’s degree

A dedication to her education helped this single mom succeed in college

By Laura Jeanne Hammond, 8/06/09

Paige Chastain began college at age 45—as a single mother who had dropped out of high schools 28 years earlier.

“I was fortunate to find counselors to guide me through the challenging first steps, providing me with the tools to finish on top. They made sure I stayed on track to transfer in two years with an associate of arts degree and completion of major prep courses,” she says.

Chastain was accepted for admission to four UC campuses: Riverside, Santa Barbara, Irvine and UCLA. She transferred to the University of California, Irvine, where she is majoring in literary journalism.

“Through personal communication during office hours, professors have seen my level of commitment to my education and have given me the gift of their knowledge. I never hesitate to ask for help or see my professors during office hours,” she says. “…If I have learned anything from the transfer experience, it is that the possibilities are infinite.”

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