Quincy Sharp enrolled at CSUSM in Fall 2010 and has since become a new parent. Balancing motherhood and her studies, Sharp is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science while working as a Peer Educator at the Gender Equity Center and a math tutor.

When she was just four months pregnant, Sharp knew she would be a single parent, but did not let her pregnancy prevent her from pursuing her goals.  

“I had my daughter a month early last December and did not take a break after giving birth. I went through three weeks of postpartum pain, crying and breastfeeding, then school started and I just brought her to class with me.”

“My teachers were all understanding and allowed me to bring her,” said Sharp. “At first I was embarrassed about people asking why I would bring my daughter, but my answer was that I’m trying to get a degree for my child. What would you do if you wanted your degree so badly? I don’t have the resources most people have, so I’m going to do it by any means necessary.”

When it comes to her dedication, Sharp gives credit to her parents and peers at work.

“I definitely have support. My dad helps out alot and my mom covers the finances that I cannot,” she said. “Last semester, I definitely worked more than I focused on school, and it showed in my grades. So my parents have been my backbone when it comes to handling all of the extra stress on top of what comes with being a mom, being a student and working.”

In addition to the support of her family, Sharp says that both her faith in God and looking at her daughter helps get her through rough days and reassures her that it is all worth it.  

“The stress that I’m dealing with now will make a better future for her. That’s my real drive for it all. Being a single mom in America is hard. Society is going to have its views, but you can’t let it break you,” she said.

Sharp does not feel that she is doing anything extraordinary. However, she is actively working to define the parent community at CSUSM and recommends that other student parents stop by the GEC.

“I would hope to see the GEC take a role in being a place that students know can offer them support and inform them of their rights as student parents,” said Sharp. “I would like the Parenting Corner/Lactation Room to make it into the Orientation Team’s introduction to college during registration for incoming freshmen,” said Sharp.

While tackling motherhood, being a full-time student and working at least 35 hours a week, Sharp strives to be a woman of strength and refuses to fall short of any success. Her ultimate goal in life is to be a surgeon, but after graduation she hopes to intern at Google as they become more involved in the medical field, before attending medical school.  

She is determined and fully dedicated to accomplishing her goals to insure that both she and her daughter have a quality life.