17 Graduates Prove Mentorship Model Works for Working Students

Seventeen students walked across the stage at ASU Local's graduation ceremony in Downtown Los Angeles this May, representing the program's largest cohort yet and proving that flexible education with strong mentorship works.

The graduates came from across Los Angeles and Long Beach, with 77% identifying as first-generation college students. Many juggled full-time jobs, raised children, and pursued their degrees simultaneously through a unique hybrid model combining online coursework with in-person coaching.

The numbers tell a powerful story. Across six sites nationwide, ASU Local served over 350 students this academic year, with 95% maintaining good academic standing. That success rate reflects a program designed specifically for people whose lives don't fit the traditional college mold.

Lawrence Carroll graduated summa cum laude after a 20-year break from school while running a nonprofit and raising his children. Martha Fabiola Garcia, a Mexican immigrant and mother of two, earned her international relations degree magna cum laude while building a legal advocacy initiative for immigrant families.

Jocelyn Rios completed her communication degree as part of Long Beach's inaugural cohort, working full-time and raising her children. Lily Chalais helped establish the Long Beach site itself while commuting from Orange County and working two jobs.

"Wherever you come from doesn't determine where you can go," said Ina Seok, interim executive director for ASU Local. The program pairs online flexibility with consistent mentorship, creating a support system that meets students where they are.

Keynote speaker Peter Murrieta, an Emmy-winning writer and first-generation graduate himself, emphasized the heart of what makes the program work. "It's bigger than a program, it's bigger than a meetup once a week," he told the crowd. "It's a community."

The Ripple Effect

These 17 graduates represent more than individual achievement. They're parents showing their children that education is possible at any age, immigrants building legal advocacy for their communities, and nonprofit leaders expanding their impact. The program now operates in California, Arizona, Washington D.C., and Hawaii, proving the model scales beyond a single city.

When working adults succeed in college, entire families benefit. Children see education as achievable, communities gain skilled advocates, and the definition of who belongs in higher education expands to include people who've been historically left out.

The celebration at the ASU California Center wasn't just about diplomas; it was about systems change showing real results.