​​Shamona Thompson Ross is a Title IV-E social work graduate student at Sacramento State, working part-time at American River College and serving the local unhoused community. She considers pursuing her master’s degree her most significant endeavor, because it shows her children the invaluable nature of hard work. 

Shamona’s story of triumph—overcoming the challenge of providing for her family—has allowed her to excel. Her passion for helping others and doing meaningful work has helped her define the central tenet of her career: the demonstrated power of community, connection and perseverance.