According to the U.S. Census, only 14% of single mothers earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Mia Magaña Kelly refused to be just another statistic.
As a single mother who worked and attended college full-time, Mia overcame tremendous adversity to earn a sociology degree and a minor in psychology from UC Berkeley this month. Enduring domestic violence and teen motherhood amongst other challenges, Mia discovered a community at Cal, a world-class university she never in her wildest dreams thought was possible.
She now plans to explore graduate programs related to policy work, advocacy or community-based initiatives with goals of dismantling systemic barriers and expanding more resources for marginalized people.
Mia spoke to Berkeley Social Sciences about her incredible journey, experiences at UC Berkeley and plans for the future. The interview is edited for clarity.
Can you talk about your background and journey to UC Berkeley as a single teen parent?
Mia Magaña Kelly: I come from a single-parent household, raised by a strong circle of women — my mom, grandmother, aunt, sister and myself. We weren’t what most would consider a “traditional” family, and my upbringing was marked by challenges. Growing up, I often wondered about my father, and eventually later in life, I was able to reconnect with him — a moment that brought both healing and perspective.
Despite some instability around me, I’ve always had a strong sense of awareness. That inner strength became even more critical when I became a mother at just 15. Overnight, I had to grow up even faster. I learned to juggle parenting, school and work — often putting others’ needs before my own. I also became a caregiver within my family, even as I was still learning how to care for myself. The weight was constant, but so was my determination to keep going.
For a long time, I struggled with self-doubt. I internalized the voices around me that said I would never make it, that I was destined to become just another statistic. I wasn’t sure I’d finish high school, let alone attend college. UC Berkeley felt completely out of reach.
Over time, with faith and perseverance, I began to believe in myself. I sought out mentors, reached out for support and committed to talk therapy to heal. I learned the true meaning of resilience. This journey has been far from easy for me emotionally, academically and mentally. It’s taken me longer than most to reach the finish line, but every step has been worth it. Earning this degree isn’t just for me — this for my son, 8-year-old Adrian Magaña Alvarez; for my family; for those who believed in me; and in honor of my late father. May he rest in peace.
What sparked your interest in sociology?
Mia Magaña Kelly: I initially set out to major in psychology because I’ve always been deeply curious about people — how they think, feel and make sense of the world around them. Given my own experiences with trauma, mental health and healing, psychology felt like a natural path. But early in my academic journey, an advisor encouraged me to explore sociology, and it changed everything.
Sociology gave me the language and tools to make sense of my own life and the broader social forces shaping it. It was like turning on a light in a dark room. I could finally see that the struggles I’d experienced weren’t just personal failures or isolated events. They were part of larger systems of inequality, deeply rooted in race, gender, class and history. Understanding these structures helped me reclaim my narrative and realize that I wasn’t alone. More importantly, it gave me a sense of purpose. I didn’t just want to understand the world — I wanted to change it. Studying sociology made me feel empowered, and it continues to guide my passion for advocacy, justice and systemic reform.
What’s been your favorite part of UC Berkeley?
Mia Magaña Kelly: What has made Berkeley so special to me is the community — the way it embraces those who want to challenge the status quo and envision a better world. From professors who pushed me to think critically and deeply, to classmates whose stories of resilience and resistance mirrored my own, I found a space that felt like home in its boldness and compassion.
I’ve never been in an environment where the staff and advisors were so proactive, kind and so invested in our success. Any time I reached out for support — whether academic, emotional or logistical — there was someone there to meet me with urgency and care. That level of responsiveness made a lasting impression on me. And beyond the people, the history of activism at Cal — the legacy of movements that began on this campus — inspired me every single day. Being a student here reminded me that my voice mattered, even when the world tried to tell me otherwise. Berkeley helped me grow not only as a student, but as a mother, a leader and an advocate.
What were some of the challenges?
Mia Magaña Kelly: The challenges I’ve faced throughout this journey have been immense. Balancing the responsibilities of a full-time student, a full-time worker and a single mother was exhausting and often overwhelming. Unlike many of my peers, I didn’t have a built-in support system. When my father passed away while I was in school, the grief was unbearable. At the same time, my mother’s ongoing health issues added emotional and practical weight to my daily life.
My mental health took a toll. There were days when getting out of bed felt like a victory in itself. And perhaps most difficult was the guilt — the guilt of not always being fully present for my son, of missing milestones or having to prioritize coursework over quality time. I’ll never forget the moment he looked at me and said, “Mom, can you get off your laptop and pay attention to me?” That moment made me push harder. Time, more than anything, was the greatest sacrifice. And yet, I also know we gained something irreplaceable: a shared journey of perseverance, sacrifice and love.
Through it all, I had to remind myself that setbacks weren’t signs of failure — they were signals to slow down, breathe and keep going. That mindset helped me stay grounded, even in the hardest seasons.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment while being at Cal?
Mia Magaña Kelly: My greatest accomplishment has been showing up — again and again — despite everything that tried to stand in my way. Every class I passed, every paper I submitted, every semester I registered for was an act of defiance against a world that didn’t expect me to make it. I proved that I am more than a statistic. I created space for myself in an institution that wasn’t built with someone like me in mind — and I thrived.
One moment that will always stay with me is the semester I brought my son to class with me every Wednesday for 15 weeks. At first, he wasn’t excited. He didn’t see college in his future. But by the end of those weeks, he looked at me and said, “Your school is so cool. I can’t wait to go to college.”
That moment moved me to tears. It reminded me that my presence here was never just for me. It was about becoming exactly the example my son needed me to be, someone to look up to and aspire to be. This was to show my son that despite circumstance, anything is possible. I like to call it “believing in the magic.” Graduating from UC Berkeley as an individual who overcame so many obstacles and defied odds is something I will always consider my proudest accomplishment.
What’s in store for your future?
Mia Magaña Kelly: As I look toward the future, I’m exploring graduate programs that align with my passion for advocacy, healing and systemic change — particularly in the fields of law and psychology. I’m especially drawn to hybrid or flexible programs that will allow me to continue balancing my roles as a mother, a professional and a lifelong learner. My experiences have shown me that I belong in spaces where I can create real, lasting change — whether that’s through direct support, shaping policy or building community-rooted programs.
But beyond titles or degrees, what matters most to me is building a life rooted in purpose. I want to be a voice for those who are often silenced or overlooked. I want to dismantle the systems that harm and exclude, and help create new ones that nurture dignity, equity and belonging. I want to be a bridge — connecting people to the resources, healing and opportunities they deserve. Most of all, I want to leave behind a legacy — not just for my son, but for anyone who’s ever been told they weren’t enough. I hope to be remembered not just for what I overcame, but for the way I made others believe in themselves simply by showing what’s possible — and for lighting a spark in those who needed it most.
Whatever path I take next, it will be led by love, shaped by lived experience, and fueled by an unshakable belief that we are all more than our circumstances — and that change begins when we dare to believe in ourselves.
I’d like to take a moment to show my deepest appreciation to everyone who helped carry me through — my family, friends, counselors, mentors and every person who told me to keep going when I was ready to give up. Thank you for reminding me to believe in myself when I couldn’t see the light. Your words, your love, your presence — they meant more than you’ll ever know.
From the bottom of my heart: thank you. Fiat Lux!