Sable Thomas: Single Mother Attributes her Success to Support Received at LA Valley College

As an older/returning student, a single mother to a teenage daughter, and a full-time U.S. Postal Service employee, Sable Thomas found enrolling in classes, managing her busy schedule, and experiencing different learning modes challenging when she first started at Valley College two years ago.

Many of her classes were online, but she discovered that it was best for her to be in person and on campus. While on campus, Sable was introduced to the Umoja Black Scholars program and the Academic Resource Center’s Tutoring Center. Through those college resources, she was able to build a community of friends, staff members, and faculty professors who encouraged her and supported her with enthusiasm to succeed.

“Valley became home for me by providing every resource I need to succeed. The staff and my other classmates and students helped me learn more about myself as a student,” noted Sable.

In her first semester, she completed 13 units while earning all straight A’s, and she was hooked! She now doesn’t accept anything less from herself.

“Without Dr. Elliott Coney in the Umoja Program and Scott Weigand in the Tutoring Center, I wouldn’t have been as successful,” notes Sable. “They were both critical to my success and I wouldn’t have gotten to this point in my academic journey without their help.”

Sable has a 4.0 GPA and is now ready to graduate with hopes of transferring to a university.