Stephen Maxey, once homeless, recently graduated from the University of California-Merced at 52, providing another example of how education can be a way out of difficult situations.
When he came to Merced College six years ago, he battled homelessness and drug addiction. His decision to walk onto campus to get help was impulsive.
“I wanted to take some classes just to get off the street. That’s the only reason I was going,” Maxey told Inside Edition.
Maxey credits Amir Falahi, the academic advisor who told him he could transfer to UC-Merced one day. “Every opportunity, he thanks me and I keep telling him, ‘You did it yourself,’” Falahi said, who attended Maxey’s graduation. He also said Maxey “was like a dry sponge. He picked it up, and he did so well.”
Maxey called the confidence he got from Falahi “the most amazing thing.”
Falahi enrolled Maxey in classes since he knew he would qualify for financial aid, and two days later, Maxey was taking his first exam. Although he hadn’t taken classes since high school, Maxey got a B on his test after going over his study guide at the homeless shelter.
“I was excited to do it. It seemed difficult at first, but it was something that once I got to studying, I’m surprised I was able to be fairly good at it,” he said.
Falahi was able to transfer to UC in three years, where he majored in psychology per Falahi’s suggestion. He thought his age would play a factor in getting “neglected or pushed around,” but his fears were unwarranted. “Some of those folks are true friends of mine,” he said.
Maxey hopes to help others like him by working to pass legislation for access to more permanent housing.
Other 2016 graduates have similarly encouraging stories.
Bianca Jeannot graduated from the College of New Rochelle cum laude after being formerly homeless and caring for her older brothers. Young mom Janel Lanae Young graduated debt-free after previously being in foster care. Michael Vaudreuil, 54, was a janitor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute when he graduated there.
