The pair motivated each other to succeed and received diplomas on June 13
For years, Tamika Cornett dreamed of going to college, but being a mother came first. So when her daughter Alysia Nesmith enrolled at Cal State L.A., Cornett decided to make her academic dreams come true.
On Saturday, the mother and daughter from Hacienda Heights graduated together during Cal State L.A.’s 68th Commencement.
Cornett receivied two bachelor’s degrees: one in business management and the other in computer information systems. Nesmith received a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
As Cornett walked across the stage at the University Athletics Stadium, it was the culmination of a journey that began more than two decades ago.
“I was 17-years-old when I gave birth to Alysia, and I raised her as a single mom," she said in an interview before the commencement. “I will always sacrifice myself for the success of my daughter.”
In 2010, Nesmith graduated from Los Altos High School and was accepted into Cal State L.A.’s psychology program.
“I felt that Cal State L.A.’s psychology degree program would teach me the skills to understand those I will come in contact with and to learn to maintain an open mind,” she said. “My interest is in the medical field, so I wanted to be well-rounded and prepared to communicate with the people in diverse populations.”
Nesmith encouraged her mother to come with her to Cal State L.A.
“I thought it would be cool to say my mom and I go to school together,” she said. “I believe I led her in the right direction.”
Cornett enrolled as an accounting major. She eventually transitioned into the business management program with a double major in computer information systems, which was more suited to her career background in operations management.
“It was a challenge trying to balance school, work and parenting without sacrificing one for the other,” said Cornett, who works as an office manager at a Hacienda Heights Baptist church. “But, I will always be a mother first.”
As a mother, she took pride in watching her daughter excel in her academics despite having to work several part-time jobs. Nesmith is a recipient of the William Hobson and Evelyn Troup Fund Scholarship.
“My daughter would make any mom proud,” said Cornett, who also did well in the classroom. She was recently inducted into the Beta Gama Sigma International Honor Society.
For Nesmith, her mother’s presence helped motivate her. “Having my mom alongside the journey spurred me on,” she said.
Now that she has graduated, Nesmith hopes to find work as an emergency medical technician to build clinical hours, so she can apply for graduate school and study to become a physician’s assistant.
Photo: From left to right, Alysia Nesmith and her mother Tamika Cornett graduated from Cal State L.A. on June 13. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State L.A.)
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Cal State L.A. is a university dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students, and 235,000 distinguished alumni, who are as diverse as the city we serve. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State L.A. has long been recognized as an engine of economic and social mobility. Led by an award-winning faculty, the University offers nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities.
Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex, TV, Film and Media Center and the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good. For more information, visit CalStateLA.edu, or like us at Facebook.com/CalStateLA.
06/08/15