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

Brenda Beets-Brown

Brenda Beets-Brown is a 50 year old single woman from La Quinta. Brenda is attending COD full time pursing a Liberal Arts degree in graphics design and is also interested in teaching art. Brenda is a first generation member of her family attending college. Brenda is a recovering alcoholic and realizes the need for an education in order to make a better life for herself. Brenda is a very determined woman as was evident in her goal to become a Girlfriend Factor recipient. She was turned down last year but came back with a focused educational goal. She is very excited to have her life back and is motivated by the hope of a new life through a college education. Read More

Pamela Boye

NEW!

Pamela Boye, of Palm Springs, has returned to school to pursue a degree in drug and alcohol studies. She is currently enrolled at COD matriculating for an Associate’s Degree in their Human Services/Alcohol and Drug Studies Program.
Boye is formerly from Santa Barbara but "fell in love" with the Desert after several visits here. Before returning to college, Boye held several positions at many different companies, mostly administrative positions that “paid the bills” Her motivation to pursue a career in alcohol and drug counseling is spurred by personal, family experiences.
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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

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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

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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

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

Leslie Felix

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Leslie Felix is a 35 year old married woman with three girls from Palm Springs. She is currently attending COD full time pursuing an AA degree with the hopes of running her own accounting business. She is currently an office manager at a financial services company. Read More

Lynn Kiley

Currently attending College Of The Desert, Lynn is in her second semester working towards her AS in Administration of Justice. She is a single mother of a 14-year-old son. She spent 14 years working with the Superior Court of Riverside County and realized that she really wanted more out of life. She recognized that a degree is necessary for a better paying job and to obtain the career she has chosen. Her long-term goal is to obtain a BA in criminal justice. She is currently working as an Administrative Assistant for Village Counseling. Lynn volunteers once a month at Martha's Village and believes we all have a responsibility to give back to our community. 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

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

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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

Mindy Miller

NEW!

Mindy Miller is a 35 year old single woman with two sons from Palm Desert. Mindy is currently attending COD full time pursuing a nursing degree. She has a long term goal of obtaining a BS in nursing. She has been employed for the past 8 1/2 years at the Westin Mission Hills Spa. Read More

Maryanne Rolph

Maryanne Rolph, of Palm Springs, is a 41 year old single mother of two sons. She is currently attending COD full time pursuing her goal of becoming an RN specializing in geriatric nursing. Her journey has been difficult but she is dedicated and motivated to improve her life and the lives of her children. Maryanne is the first member of her family to attend college. Read More

Kelli Roma

Kelli Roma, of Cathedral City, CA, is a full-time student at COD taking classes to pursue a degree in nursing. Kelli wants to work as a surgical nurse specializing in smile surgery for children. Kelli and her husband have two children ages six and three.

Kelli is the past president of the MOMS Club of Palm Springs/Cathedral City and is proud of the key role she played in raising $20,000 for the Natalie Tanner fundraiser. Read More

Lucilla Fernandez Ruelas

Earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Cal State is the education goal of Lucy Ruelas. Her business goal is to expand her business, Trinity Bookkeeping Services. Ultimately, she wants to establish a children's non-profit learning center. Inspired by her father to pursue higher education no matter what her age, Lucy worked in the fields with her parents before becoming a dispatcher for 18 years. At the age of 30, she embarked on her quest for a different life. She earned her AA in accounting from College of the Desert in 2007. Education is the top priority from Lucy and her husband. 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

Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith, of Desert Hot Springs, CA has returned to school to pursue a degree in drug and alcohol studies. She is currently enrolled at COD in her 2nd semester towards her AA. Her long-term goal is to obtain a BS in social work with an emphasis on becoming a counselor. Jackie is a single mother of two and she is raising her 5-year-old granddaughter. Jackie knows all about life's struggles but is a very determined woman. Jackie is currently employed by Riverside County as a caregiver. Her energy and enthusiasm toward life and her career goals are at the forefront of what she is all about. "My education is the key to my financial success," says Jackie. 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

Debbie Suer

Debbie Suer, of Bermuda Dunes, is a full time student at COD pursuing her AA & CAADAC (California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors) certificate. Debbie is a wife and mother of two adopted sisters, ages 5 and 8. Besides overcoming the grips of alcoholism 21 years ago, Debbie has seen more than her fair share of personal tragedies. Debbie looks to the future with a positive outlook knowing that what she is trying to accomplish will be in the best interest of her family and the community. She believes that things happen for a reason, and that when one door closes, another one opens. Read More

Lindsay Tarango

Lindsay Tarango, of Mecca, is a 28 year old divorced mother with three children. She is currently employed as a physical therapy aide. Lindsay is enrolled at COD as a part time student with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. Laurie has faced many struggles in her life but has never given up on wanting to provide a better life for her family. She is a survivor and will do whatever it takes to reach her goal of becoming a nurse. Read More

Jessica Van Beers

Jessica Van Beers, of La Quinta, a 25 year old married mother of two. She is currently attending COD full time pursuing her goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. Her career goal became a realization after her first child was stillborn. Through this tragic experience she has developed an admiral goal in life: to nurture and care for others as her family was nurtured and cared for. Read More

Ivy Vu

NEW!

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

Laurie Weiss

Laurie Weiss, of Indio, a 51 year old divorced woman. Laurie is currently attending COD full time with the goal of becoming a social worker and/or operating her own facility for sober living. Her long term goal is to transfer to Cal State in pursuit of a Psychology degree in alcohol and chemical dependency. One of Laurie's visions is to band with others in forming much needed semi-independent living communities in the Coachella Valley for mentally ill, addicts, and victims of abuse once they are in advanced recovery. Laurie has been through a lot, has accomplished a lot and will succeed in reaching her goals. Read More