Determined to Rise: Sandy Harris’ Journey of Healing, Hope, and Higher Education at RCCD

05/09/2025

At 63 years old, Sandy Harris is not just a student at Riverside Community College District (RCCD)—she’s a beacon of inspiration. Her story defies conventional timelines and challenges assumptions about who belongs in a college classroom. As a senior learner navigating the world with a disability, Sandy embodies the spirit of lifelong education and inclusive opportunity that RCCD proudly champions.

Sandy’s journey into higher education wasn’t traditional, but it was deeply purposeful. After being forced to leave her career as a senior accountant, she found herself yearning for something more—intellectual engagement, personal growth, and the fulfillment of a long-held dream to earn a college degree. “I always wanted to go back to school,” she says. “It was never too late.”

“While my disabilities led me to leave the field of Senior Accounting, I found strength and encouragement throughout this challenging journey. My daughter Elizabeth Harper, granddaughter Nomie, and my friends and family were constant sources of support, particularly during my month in the hospital. I am also deeply grateful for my faith in God and the power of prayer, which sustained me,” Sandy explained.

Now, Sandy Harris is on the verge of graduation from Riverside City College, but her journey is far more than a story of earning a degree. It’s one of survival, resilience, and purpose. As a student with disabilities and a senior learner, Sandy’s story reflects the very heart of what the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) stands for: equity, support, and opportunity for all.

When Sandy attended the RCCD pantry event for online students, she shared how her educational path nearly ended before it began. “Last year, I had three strokes, emergency surgery, and was close to death,” she recounted. After being hospitalized for sepsis, she was rushed into surgery as her organs began shutting down. “If I had waited a day or two, I wouldn’t be here.”

In addition to the in-person support Sandy received, RCCD continues to expand services for online learners through its Distance Education program. Recognizing that connection is key to student success, the program offers virtual tutoring, online counseling, and regular student engagement activities that help foster a sense of belonging—even from afar. Whether students are fully remote or taking a mix of online and in-person courses, they have access to resources designed to ensure they feel part of the RCCD community every step of the way.

But even in the midst of a life-threatening illness, Sandy’s mind was on school. “The first thing I thought about was my summer class. I told my daughter to bring my laptop to the rehab center. I had to finish my class. I had to pass.” She pushed through therapy, infections, and recovery—while keeping up on her studies.

Sandy is not just a student; she is a survivor. Her journey with RCCD is shaped by a past that includes childhood trauma and years of low self-worth. “There were times I didn’t feel worthy of living, let alone going to school,” she shared. “But at 60, I finally told myself: I am worthy.”

She started school in October 2022 with fear and hesitation, unsure whether she could afford it or keep up. But RCCD’s accessibility services, scholarships like the Rising Scholars Book Voucher, food pantries, and student resource centers helped her stay on track. “I took advantage of every bit of help RCC and RCCD offered,” she said. “I was scared, but I kept saying to myself, ‘I can do this.’”

Today, Sandy uses a walker as she continues to recover from the strokes, but her goal is clear: “I’m going to walk at graduation—without assistance. I’m determined.”

Her next chapter is already taking shape. Sandy plans to return to RCC after graduation and pursue a degree in counseling. “I want to help women who’ve gone through abuse like I have. There are so many resources out there, and I want to guide women to healing and independence.”

Sandy’s message to others—especially older students and those with disabilities—is clear and powerful: “No matter your past, your pain, or your age, it’s never too late to start again. You can do it.”

Through Sandy’s determination, RCC, and RCCD’s inclusive, flexible learning environment, her story becomes more than a personal triumph—it becomes a beacon for others.

Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications