CHHS Alum Turned Professor Defying Odds

From CSULB's Bob Murphy Access Center Celebrates 50 Years of Supporting Students with Disabilities by Janis Carr

Image
Keyon Anderson

As a first-year student in high school, Keyon Anderson had a second grade reading level.  

But after being diagnosed with dyslexia, Anderson got help with his reading skills and graduated from high school. College, however, was still in question. The challenges were greater in higher education, such as explaining to each professor why he was a slow learner. 

At The Beach, he discovered the Disabled Student Services, which guided him through his journey to a B.A. in social work, a Master of Social Work, MSW faculty member and a licensed clinical social worker. At DSS, he found tutors and extended exams that enabled him to succeed. 

“I don't think I would have made it through my undergrad without the resources,” Anderson said. “Having the resources for me it translated to understanding what equity of services and looks like for students.” 

Anderson said he doesn’t think anything he has achieved is “Hall of Fame worthy.” Try telling that to the students and community members he affects through his own experiences.