Story By: Dashandria McKinney

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Raven Chambers graduated from high school with a plan. Like so many other students, she was going to college. She started at Jefferson State Community College in 2019. However, her plans soon had to change.

“After realizing my family was having a hard time, I decided to work full-time to help them out,” Raven shared. “I ended up taking an almost four-year gap before realizing I wanted to go back to school.”

Finding Montevallo

During that time away, Raven found both purpose and unexpected friendship while working full-time. She met her best friend, Jenny Juarez, 24′, someone who guided her to attend the University of Montevallo. “She was planning to transfer from Jeff State, too, to pursue a bachelor’s in speech pathology,” Raven said. “She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go to the University of Alabama or Montevallo, so we both toured both to see which one fit.” 

After touring the University of Montevallo, Raven immediately fell in love with the campus and knew that it was exactly where she wanted to go.

Returning to college later than most was its own set of challenges, but Raven, who is now a Fall 2025 graduate, was “excited to start again.” She initially set out to pursue a degree in Veterinary Technology, later switched to Spanish, and ultimately found her true calling in English. Looking ahead, Raven plans to begin her graduate studies at UM in Spring 2026, while working at a high school to save money and prepare for her goal of teaching abroad.

But as her peers began to graduate, she couldn’t help but feel left behind. Despite those feelings, Raven has found ways to turn her experience into motivation. “It’s almost like imposter syndrome,” she said. “But I remind myself that everyone’s journey is different. What matters is that I came back and that I’m finishing.”

But I remind myself that everyone’s journey is different. What matters is that I came back and that I’m finishing.

Raven Chambers

MADE makes a difference

One thing that defines Raven’s college experience is her heavy involvement with Montevallo MADE, a program designed to help students adjust to campus life. Raven says that Montevallo MADE gave her many networking, leadership, and internship opportunities. “They’ve even helped me financially on multiple occasions.”

Raven Chambers is working at the Huffman High School College Fair, representing Montevallo MADE. Image Credited to Montevallo Made.

Through Montevallo MADE, Raven has held numerous leadership positions. She served as president of the Hispanic Student Organization (HSO), became a lead mentor in a sub-organization called ‘FlourishMore’ that promotes mental health and self-care, and worked as an ambassador for the program by visiting high schools to inspire future students.

“This organization has shown me that I had more potential than what I entered UM with, and even more than what I plan to leave with,” Raven stated.

This organization has shown me that I had more potential than what I entered UM with, and even more than what I plan to leave with.

Raven Chambers

‘Just do it!’

Raven’s advice to future students who may be hesitant about starting their college experience is to simply “Just do it!” “You’re never too late when it comes to achieving a goal. As long as you have the drive, you will finish at your own pace. You deserve to be there just like anyone else, no matter how old or how young you are.”