Jessa Jagonese

32, Arroyo Grande

Higher education should not only be designed for traditional full-time students. It should support working parents and other non-traditional students who are trying to advance their education. I would like to see more flexible online and evening courses, affordable childcare options, and greater financial support for part-time students who work full time. I would also like to see counties partner with employers that are willing to offer part-time or full-time positions with flexible schedules, remote or hybrid options when possible, and hours that work around school and childcare needs.”

Jessa is a full-time working learner, parent, and longtime healthcare professional on California's Central Coast. Originally from the Philippines, she came to the U.S. hoping to continue her education in nursing and began working wherever she could before getting her start as a certified nursing assistant. Over two decades, she has worked her way through several roles in skilled nursing and is now an administrator-in-training and activities director at Arroyo Grande Care Center. She earned an associate degree in pre-nursing from Cuesta College and is now completing a B.S. in Healthcare Administration at Arizona State University while working full time and raising two children, ages eight and six. She is also studying for the state and federal exams required for her nursing home administrator license.