With graduation season upon us, we at PeerForward want to take the time to celebrate some of our amazing Alumni for their postsecondary education accomplishments.
In December of 2025, PeerForward Alumni and Lakeedra Robbins did what she always dreamed of: graduate from college! Her initial postsecondary pathway included joining the Navy, which proved to be an effective way to afford college. Her military service helped to make her higher education dreams a reality. Now, she has her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Arizona State University. However, this doesn’t mark the end of her education journey. She is enrolled at Regent University in Virginia where she is pursuing her master’s in human services with a concentration in human services for Student Affairs.. We reached out to learn more about what earning this degree means to Lakeedra as a first-generation college student, what role PeerForward has played in her journey, and what her next steps are:
What does it mean to you to earn this degree/certification?
It means so much to earn my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. It was always a personal goal of mine to obtain it no matter how long it took. I am so happy and proud of myself for staying the course because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and I did!
What role did PeerForward play in seeing you through your education journey?
PeerForward played a significant role in my educational journey. It is because of PeerForward that I stayed the course to continue higher education. It wasn’t until being a Writing Coach in 2022 that I knew I wanted to help other students in higher education. I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that during my time in undergrad I interned at a community college assisting and supporting college students as they navigate life and higher education. After graduating with my BSW degree in 2025, I am currently enrolled at Regent University seeking an MA degree in Human Services with a concentration in Human Services for Student Affairs. Thanks to PeerForward I can show and share to other students, veterans, minorities, parents, and even grandparents that you can always continue your education journey.
How did your friends/peers influence, inspire, or motivate you to achieve your educational goals? How did you do the same for others?
My friends and peers played a big role in motivating me to achieve my educational goals because they always cheered me on and encouraged me at my lowest moments. I did the same for others not only by motivating and relating to them but simply being a listening ear and validating their experiences.
What was the biggest obstacle to you obtaining your degree and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle to me obtaining my degree was balancing parenthood with the demands of coursework. I overcame it by working on time management and creating a schedule specific to not only my family’s needs, but my academic needs as well.
Why do you choose to serve as a PeerForward Alumni or stay connected to PeerForward?
I choose to serve or stay connected to PeerForward because I understand the importance of higher education. Also, helping high school students navigate unfamiliar territory is something I take pride in because I know what it’s like to need extra support while starting and navigating college and/or higher education as a first generation college graduate.
