Sociology transfer student brings wisdom of life experiences
Sociology transfer student La Shaun Aaron left a full-time job to start her own business and founded 805 Resistance to advance social and environmental justice in Southern California’s Ventura County. At age 43 and with a college-aged son, Aaron joins USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and hopes to be a role model to other Black women and girls.
What is one thing you brought with you that is most meaningful or representative of who you are?
I am bringing the wisdom and knowledge of my life experiences as well as my professional experiences. More importantly, I am bringing an openness to new things, learning and new people.
What are your greatest hobbies, passions and interests?
I have so many things I am passionate about. A lot of it is under the umbrella of racial and social justice: Black Lives Matter, Black liberation and equity for marginalized people and BIPOC women’s issues. I am an activist and community organizer. I enjoy the beach, pool, jacuzzi and traveling. I also enjoy learning and binge-watching shows and documentaries and I love music.
How do you think you will change/grow by the time you graduate?
I think I will definitely be more sharpened: iron sharpens iron. I think being among so many other ambitious, scholarly, passionate people will help me to be more driven, focused and intentional about how much I give to my education, projects, research, collaborations and even social circles I participate in and contribute to.
Anything else?
Being a mom with a college-age son is a surreal but amazing place to be right now for me. My son walked me to the door, and he said, “It’s like the roles are reversed now,” and we laughed. He told me he was proud of me several times. That meant a lot. My mom called me this evening to ask how my first day of school was. God’s timing is perfect.