DARREN THEARD

My name is Darren Theard, I am 20 years old and in my second year at Chabot College. I am African American, Mexican, and Filipino. I was born in Hayward, California, but moved from city to city throughout the bay area as a young boy due to financial obstacles that my single mother and I faced; but I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the struggles that I’ve endured as a child. However, the struggle is nowhere near over for me, which means I still have room to grow. Originally I was enrolled at Chabot as a Business major, but as I got deeper into the topic of economic and social policy, I came to the realization that I want to learn more, and make a difference in that field. This led me to change my major to Political Science, in hopes of leaving our political structure better than I found it. As a student at Chabot, I am blessed with the opportunity to be part of a number of programs that benefit me both financially and academically. The EOPS program has helped me get the necessary academic counseling and financial assistance that I so badly need at this time in my academic career. Although I have been put at many disadvantages in my life, I feel that Chabot, primarily EOPS is giving me that extra boost I need to succeed, through scholarships and grants that not only acknowledge my struggle but assist in ending it.