Reentry Student Success Stories
Returning to school can mean resuming a goal set aside years earlier, changing careers, learning a second language or beginning again after hardship. The Citrus College students and alumni featured here show that education has no fixed timetable. With determination and campus support, they transformed renewed ambitions into degrees, university transfer, creative work, leadership and careers that serve others.
ARLENE ABUNDIS
A decade away from campus did not end Arlene Abundis' academic story. Returning as an adult student to complete child development studies, she found a new calling in children's literature and became a published author.
CHRISTINA ADAMO
The classroom felt intimidating after 23 years away, but Christina Adamo stayed, learned and graduated. Her comeback now continues at Cal Poly Pomona, where psychology and sociology are shaping her path toward helping children and at-risk youth.
RENE BABICH
Motherhood shaped the pace of Rene Babich's college journey, but never its direction. After years of taking classes around her children's needs, she graduated, transferred to Cal Poly Pomona and continued toward a psychology career helping young people.
EVA BUYHER
One class reopened the future Eva Buyher once imagined for herself. Supported by CalWORKs, EOPS and CARE, the single mother and grandmother has earned exceptional grades and is preparing to continue her education and serve young learners in local schools.
EMILY CORREIA-LAMBTON
Returning to college gave Emily Correia-Lambton more than new credentials; it gave her a new professional identity. Forestry, drone technology and field experience helped transform a longtime science teacher into a field biologist and adjunct instructor.
DENICIA CRUTCHER-LYONS
Denicia Crutcher-Lyons returned to college in her mid-30s to build a better life for her daughters. Citrus College support, mathematics and dance studies eventually led her to discover history, conduct research and co-author a book on Black achievement.
LAURA DIAZ
Eleven years after leaving home with her children, Laura Diaz transformed survival into academic success and service. Citrus College helped her reach Cal Poly Pomona, where she continued preparing to guide others through life's hardest moments with hope.
RUBY KAISO D'BANSOUR
Ruby Kaiso D'Bansour arrived with degrees, artistic interests and two languages, but needed English to begin again. Citrus College noncredit classes helped her find work, gain independence and prepare for new academic and creative possibilities ahead.
JOY THURMAN
After foster care, hardship and time away from school, returning student Joy Thurman chose to start again. She now balances motherhood, child development studies and campus leadership while preparing to guide young children and inspire student-parents.
KIM TOTH
Photography gave Kim Toth more than a new skill; it opened an academic and professional life. After earning three Citrus College degrees, she advanced into curatorial work, a senior thesis exhibition, teaching and plans for graduate school after graduation.
NEREIDA VALDEZ
After putting college on hold to care for her family, Nereida Valdez returned with purpose, earned a degree and is now headed to Cal State Fullerton to study business administration with a concentration in legal studies.