Compton College Provides Two Years of Education Nearly Free of Cost
COMPTON- “I want to thank Compton College from the bottom of my heart. I have made a turnaround in my life, and I feel like I’m winning,” said Compton College student Majesty Goodlow, a single mother who has benefited from two years of college enrollment fees paid for by the Oliver W. Conner Promise Program. Along with other resources offered, she is attending college nearly free of cost! With limited finances, she would not have been able to enroll in college if it weren’t for Compton College’s student support programs and resources.
Goodlow is graduating from Compton College this December with three associate degrees and transferring to California State University, Dominguez Hills beginning in the spring 2022 semester. In just two years, the Compton High School 2019 graduate has earned an associate degree for transfer in early childhood education, and associate degrees in general studies with an emphasis in social and behavioral science, and liberal studies with an emphasis in elementary teaching.
“I want to finish college no matter what it takes,” said Goodlow. “It was a challenge to shift everything online in 2020 because I am used to being more social. I have disciplined myself, taken advantage of all the resources offered at Compton College, strengthened my time management and organization skills, shifted gears for online learning, and I have hung in there.”
She is hardworking and guided by a clear vision of what she wants her future to look like. Goodlow has plans to establish a nonprofit transitional home and service facility for women, men, and their families who are victims of domestic violence. She would also like to continue her education in nursing in order to better understand the health care services needed for families at risk. “I want to offer services to both women and men because I believe not enough credit is given to single-parent fathers,” she said. “Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated basic needs insecurity for many.”
Through Compton College’s Oliver W. Conner Promise Program, high school graduates from the Compton, Lynwood, and Paramount unified school districts who attend Compton College full time (12 units) after graduation receive guaranteed admission and have two years of enrollment fees waived, plus up to $400 per year for textbooks, course materials and supplies. Under this program, enrollment fees for the fall semester, winter term, spring semester, and summer sessions at Compton College will be paid during the two-year period.
The Oliver W. Conner College Promise Program has many other benefits including assistance with college enrollment and applying for additional financial aid; priority registration for best class selection; opportunities to participate in other student support programs such as the First Year Experience (FYE), the state-funded Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS), and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) for low-income and educationally disadvantaged students with and without dependents; and Summer Bridge classes for recent high school graduates to assist with college-level English and math placement.
“I am so thankful for the Promise Program for many reasons,” said Goodlow. “From the start, its orientation and informational workshops helped me have a full visual of what college would be like. I am good at math now with help from the Summer Bridge classes which is a big transformation for me since I was not strong at math when I started college! Compton College’s Promise Program staff, who I consider my mentors, helped me stay on track and take the necessary classes to transfer. If you put in the work and show you are trying, the professors will work to help you. With all these resources I’m benefiting from, there is no excuse to not achieve my educational goals.”
She has taken her own advice and believes this program was instrumental in propelling her to become more than just an average student. She wants others to know that it is possible, which is why she has chosen a career where she can help families overcome barriers and survive.
“I have a long journey ahead, but I’m so excited about the possibilities. I feel like I have something to fight for—a brighter future for my son and I,” said Goodlow. My family looks at me now and we are confident it can be done!”
