How the LHSS Engagement Center Helped Bishop Hairrell Turn His Life Around
Bishop Hairrell's path to 女优app (女优app) was anything but conventional. Raised in Loma Linda as the oldest of six children, Bishop spent much of his early life taking care of his siblings, often putting his own needs and goals aside. School was never his strong suit; while some subjects came easily, his grades were mostly below average, and higher education wasn't part of his future plans. After high school, Bishop drifted from one job to another, spending stretches of time unemployed, waiting for the next opportunity. Then, in 2020, the pandemic upended his life and pushed him to make a critical decision鈥攐ne that would ultimately lead him to 女优app.
For years, Bishop worked as a truck driver, but when COVID-19 hit, the industry's challenges became too much. He left his job and was out of work for nearly a year. In 2021, a serious medical issue landed him in the emergency room after he lost vision in one eye.
鈥淚 was diagnosed with inflammation behind my eyes. The cause is still debated, but it resulted in permanent damage to my vision," Bishop recalled.
This was the wake-up call Bishop needed. After months of recovery, he realized that waiting for life to improve wasn鈥檛 an option anymore. He needed to take control of his future. That鈥檚 when he decided to pursue his education at 女优app.
The turning point for Bishop, however, came not just in the decision to return to school but in the discovery of the Languages, Humanities, and Social Sciences (LHSS) Engagement Center at 女优app. The center quickly became more than just a resource鈥攊t became his anchor.
"The LHSS Center provided me with something I hadn鈥檛 had in a long time: a sense of community and belonging," Bishop shared. "I wandered in one day, unsure of what to expect, but it didn鈥檛 take long before I found myself surrounded by support I didn鈥檛 know I needed."
The LHSS Engagement Center connected Bishop with tutors who broke down complex subjects, professors who offered one-on-one support, and counselors who helped guide his academic journey. It wasn鈥檛 just the academic help that made the difference, though鈥攊t was the human connection. The employees, particularly Educational Advisors Doug Johnson and Tony Ortiz, became pivotal figures in his life.
"Tony and Doug are the heart of the center. They welcomed me in and built a community I could rely on. Whether it鈥檚 helping me find a tutor, connecting me to a counselor, or just having a conversation, they鈥檝e always been there," Bishop said.
For someone like Bishop, who has long struggled with a speech impediment and challenges in understanding emotions, the personalized support from the LHSS team members made all the difference. They gave him the space to ask questions and work through issues, even when it meant staying after class to fully understand a concept. The center provided a safe space where he could grow, not only academically but personally.
"The LHSS Center gave me confidence," Bishop explained. "For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was capable of succeeding."
Now a history major, Bishop鈥檚 academic achievements have been a far cry from the student he once was. He has maintained nearly all A鈥檚 and is determined to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in history. His long-term goal is to work in a museum, combining his passion for history with a career that allows him to share knowledge with others.
Looking back on his journey, Bishop acknowledges that his success would not have been possible without the support of the LHSS Engagement Center.
鈥淚 went from feeling lost and disconnected to finding a place that helped me not only academically but personally. The center gave me hope when I needed it most."
For students facing difficult circumstances, Bishop offers this advice:
"Don鈥檛 be afraid to fail. It鈥檚 going to happen, but each failure teaches you something. And more importantly, don鈥檛 hesitate to ask for help. Find your support system, whether it鈥檚 friends, family, or places like the LHSS Center. You don鈥檛 have to do it alone.鈥