More than 23,000 age from the nation’s foster system each year — less than 3 percent of them will earn a college degree in their lifetime. It is one of four profiles celebrating students in the Promoting Achievement Through Hope (PATH) Scholars program, each of which is reversing that narrative in support of staff and their peers. All profiles can be accessed in our introductory story.
Rodaisha James keeps the photo close.
It takes some moments with her mother, shares Rodaisha’s smile, wears comfortable mother’s clothes, and
a half-up, half-down hairstyle with side bangs evocative of the mid to late 1990s. Through the picture, Rodaisha heard her mother’s voice and felt mixed emotions — excitement, amazement, and curiosity combined with silence and acceptance.
Every glance at the picture motivates Rodaisha to remain steadfast in her dream of getting her degree and building a bright future.
“College has been at work with me since middle school,” Rodaisha said. “My mother taught my younger sister that education is the key.”
This month, first-generation college students will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in both Asian studies and business administration with an emphasis on project management. Earning not one but two college degrees is probably the best way, he said, to respect his mother’s wishes.
Having lost a father when she was 7 years old, Rodaisha was a 15 -year -old sophomore in high school when her mother died. Suddenly orphaned, her grandparents and one of her aunts became the legal guardians for her and her brother.
Due to guardianship status, Rodaisha qualified for College Track, a targeted program that aims to help guide underserved youth in the Bay Area from junior high school through earning their undergraduate degree. Providing comprehensive academic, financial, and social-emotional programming, the program works to remove barriers to college completion.
Rodaisha was introduced to higher education programs across the state with services for incoming students under foster care. While waiting for word from UC Berkeley admission, he looked at Chico State — visiting campus and meeting with PATH Scholars, along with program coordinator Marina Lomeli.
“I felt a sense of belonging and comfort when I visited, so by the time I heard from Berkeley, Chico State had checked all the boxes and the PATH Scholars were the cherry on top,” Rodaisha said. .
Lomeli helped make Rodaisha’s transition smooth by introducing resources throughout campus and providing reminders about housing, financial aid, and enrollment goal dates and deadlines. Always available for encouragement, she has also become a support system and trustworthy — exactly the kind of relationship Rodaisha needs upon entering college.
“A lot of students have access to that kind of support because their parents are active in their lives — I don’t have parents, so Marina’s mentoring is everything to me,” she said. “She’s family.”
Rodaisha started in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management, but she struggled with her STEM classes. However, he thrived on his minor business and decided to change focus.
She began to thrive academically and became more involved with student organizations such as Just Unity Sistas, Association for Women in Business, and First Generation and Proud, while also holding leadership positions for the National Society of Black chapter. Engineers of Chico State for three years.
In addition, continued support from PATH Scholars has opened the door for him to pursue other goals, such as studying abroad. Following a pandemic that shortened the 2019–20 academic year at Shanghai University in which she was forced to return to Chico to finish her classes almost, Rodaisha spent the fall of 2021 at Alabama State University in a special program that provides immersive experience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Together, he said the experiences have given him a broader perspective on his place in the world.
“I try to remember the ways we connect rather than the ways we don’t — being a global citizen to me is about remembering my impact and remembering the collective, the world,” he said. niya. “I am not just an American citizen. I am also a citizen of the world, and I feel like I am doing my part in helping to make communication better at every opportunity, starting with my own work within. ”
Once the pandemic hit, Rodaisha withdrew from her many activities to take care of herself. She continued to use the WellCat Counseling Center, which she has been using since her first year, and entered her second year with a women’s wellness group for students.
“I invested more time in building my professional network, receiving mentorship, and taking care of my mental health,” she says.
Rodaisha already got a full-time job after graduation as a project manager at ServiceNow, a software company based in Santa Clara. As she looks forward to experiencing technology and its modern culture, she also knows she is giving way to other African American women in a traditional male -dominated space.
“I felt self -doubt and imposter syndrome at all points during college, but I was breaking new ground and starting into undefined territory,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been very rewarding.”
Before finishing the last few classes this academic year, he walked through the 2021 Commencement ceremonies.
“I kind of took my breath away thinking, ‘Wow, this is happening.’ In seconds, I went from ecstasy to tears. All the emotions were at once, “she said.” I was so happy, but I also felt the grief in realizing that I wasn’t celebrating with my parents. Having my sisters, fathers, fathers cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents there to celebrate made me feel really special. ”
While he achieved what his mother had always hoped for him, he could no longer be proud.
I think she would be so moved by her baby girl, her first-born, ”he said. “She encourages me to take the time to honor myself and my accomplishments, to realize what it took me to get here, to notice the effort I made — I think he would be happy with the woman who would stand before him. . . ”
The possibilities are stacked against them. Show PATH Scholars students that you believe in their educational dreams and make sure they have the resources to achieve them by making a gift today at www.csuchico.edu/fosteryouth.
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