Student Spotlight: Jazmyn Tonumaipea
When Jazmyn Tonumaipea enrolled at San Bernardino Valley College, it wasn't just
for her — she also did it for her family.
"A lot of my motivation comes from leading by example," Tonumaipea said. "I want my child and my brothers to see that there are no limits to what you can achieve when you have a community behind you, a strong sense of purpose, and a clear vision for your life."
SBVC offered everything the Ontario resident was looking for when it came to furthering her education.
"I wanted to be somewhere that offered strong academic programs with real support for students like me," Tonumaipea said. "SBVC felt like a place where I could rebuild my academic journey with intention after being out of college for so long."
A Sociology, Communications, and Ethnic Studies major, Tonumaipea locked in on her classes and dove right into campus life, becoming involved in the Honors Program, Umoja Tumaini, Pasefika Student Union, and the Participatory Governance Taskforce. She is also a volunteer at the Valley 360 food pantry, a Center for Community College Partnerships Scholar through UCLA, and serves on Associated Student Government as Vice President of Marketing.
She ran for the position to "show that non-traditional students, including student parents like me, can be active, visible, and influential on campus," Tonumaipea said, and to "share the resources that helped me succeed." Her role as a vice president has "taught me so much," she added, and has been "much bigger than just creating content or planning events. As part of the executive team, my cohort and I have been rebuilding ASG to be more equitable, diverse, and sustainable, not just for us, but for the students who will come after us.
Tonumaipea is Black and Samoan, and while growing up, culture was a "source of solace," she said.
Joining the Pasefika Student Union gave her "another space to stay connected to culture, community, and support, which is something I believe all students should experience."
By being an active member of the campus community, Tonumaipea is both improving the student experience for her fellow Wolverines and developing close bonds with faculty and staff.
"My favorite thing about attending SBVC is the people who show up for students with consistency, compassion, and real support," she said.
Tonumaipea cites her Honors Program and ASG advisors, the Basic Needs team, and Sociology Prof. Anthony Blacksher as some of the people who have helped her sharpen her leadership skills, challenge her ideas, and expand her thinking.
"The people here are what make SBVC feel like home," she said. "Their support has helped me reach
personal and academic goals I once thought were out of reach."
Her journey "hasn't been linear, but it's been intentional," Tonumaipea said.
"In the words of Nipsey Hussle, 'I just didn’t quit, that’s the only distinguishing quality for me and whoever else.' These words are a reminder and testament that persistence and believing in yourself can open doors you never imagined."
"A lot of my motivation comes from leading by example," Tonumaipea said. "I want my child and my brothers to see that there are no limits to what you can achieve when you have a community behind you, a strong sense of purpose, and a clear vision for your life."
SBVC offered everything the Ontario resident was looking for when it came to furthering her education.
"I wanted to be somewhere that offered strong academic programs with real support for students like me," Tonumaipea said. "SBVC felt like a place where I could rebuild my academic journey with intention after being out of college for so long."
A Sociology, Communications, and Ethnic Studies major, Tonumaipea locked in on her classes and dove right into campus life, becoming involved in the Honors Program, Umoja Tumaini, Pasefika Student Union, and the Participatory Governance Taskforce. She is also a volunteer at the Valley 360 food pantry, a Center for Community College Partnerships Scholar through UCLA, and serves on Associated Student Government as Vice President of Marketing.
She ran for the position to "show that non-traditional students, including student parents like me, can be active, visible, and influential on campus," Tonumaipea said, and to "share the resources that helped me succeed." Her role as a vice president has "taught me so much," she added, and has been "much bigger than just creating content or planning events. As part of the executive team, my cohort and I have been rebuilding ASG to be more equitable, diverse, and sustainable, not just for us, but for the students who will come after us.
Tonumaipea is Black and Samoan, and while growing up, culture was a "source of solace," she said.
Joining the Pasefika Student Union gave her "another space to stay connected to culture, community, and support, which is something I believe all students should experience."
By being an active member of the campus community, Tonumaipea is both improving the student experience for her fellow Wolverines and developing close bonds with faculty and staff.
"My favorite thing about attending SBVC is the people who show up for students with consistency, compassion, and real support," she said.
Tonumaipea cites her Honors Program and ASG advisors, the Basic Needs team, and Sociology Prof. Anthony Blacksher as some of the people who have helped her sharpen her leadership skills, challenge her ideas, and expand her thinking.
"The people here are what make SBVC feel like home," she said. "Their support has helped me reach
personal and academic goals I once thought were out of reach."
Her journey "hasn't been linear, but it's been intentional," Tonumaipea said.
"In the words of Nipsey Hussle, 'I just didn’t quit, that’s the only distinguishing quality for me and whoever else.' These words are a reminder and testament that persistence and believing in yourself can open doors you never imagined."
