"One of the Best Decisions I’ve Ever Made"

By Anne Denogean, Marketing, Communications and Strategic Outreach

When Malyssa Shaw enrolled at Pima Community College, she was searching for more than just an education — she was rebuilding her life.

A first-generation, low-income, non-traditional student, Malyssa arrived at Pima in 2023 having taken a long gap from high school graduation. It had been a time filled with uncertainty, random jobs — and unresolved trauma as a victim of a terrible crime.

“Actually, there was a time I thought I wouldn’t even reach my twenties,” Malyssa said.

Two years later, she’s just graduated with honors and has earned one of the most prestigious scholarships in the nation for community college students: the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The scholarship, awarded to only 90 students nationwide from more than 1,600 community college applicants, provides up to $55,000 per year for up to three years. It will fund Malyssa’s continued education at a four-year university, where she plans to major in English and/or Sociology — with the long-term goal of attending law school.

“I wasn't entirely sure, at one point in time, how feasible it would be to pursue higher education, to get my bachelor’s degree, to go on to even get a graduate degree,” Malyssa said. “This scholarship is life changing. It has made possible what once felt impossible and has given me the option to continue my education wherever I choose.”

Originally from California, Malyssa moved to Tucson with her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had made the mistake of assuming time would heal my wounds and I didn't seek any trauma recovery treatment. That gap year turned to two and then three, up to four, and my health really declined. Then the pandemic happened,” she said.

With her move to Tucson, Malyssa began reconnecting with her mother and forging loving bonds with other family members. She recognized she wasn’t living up to her potential and felt a powerful desire to improve herself.

Almost on a whim, she applied to Pima. “One thing that really stood out to me it was very clear that this was a welcoming and diverse environment, that really stood out to me when I was going through the website, the promotional materials and the mission statement.”

“I sought meaningful healing and recovery and then I enrolled in Pima Community College in the summer of ’23, and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made,” Malyssa said.

At Pima, Malyssa found the support and encouragement she needed to move forward. She majored in Liberal Arts with a focus on English and creative writing, earning an associate degree and graduating with honors. The Honors Program was a meaningful part of her experience.

“I was encouraged to pursue opportunities I would never have thought of pursuing,” she said, “and I made connections with faculty and classmates that have changed my life.

Those opportunities included qualifying for the Cooke Foundation scholarship after being named an All-Arizona Academic Scholar, which provides a full two-year tuition waiver to any in-state public university.

“I don't think I would have made it this far if it weren't for the many people at PCC that really care about student success. I wouldn’t have even known about the scholarships if It weren’t for my involvement with the Honors Program,” she said.

For her required “endeavor project,” Malyssa researched the dangers of AI-generated non-consensual explicit content — particularly its impact on women and children. She presented her work in an open session of the Tucson Unified School District board, where it caught the attention of the district’s senior director of technology. As a result, she was invited to join the TUSD AI Policy Task Force.

“You’re nervous, shaking, you're not sure if you're going to be heard,” she said about presenting at the meeting. “And then afterwards, you are, and something incredible happens.”

In addition to her academic and advocacy work, Malyssa also volunteers with the Pima County Attorney’s Office as a victim advocate, providing emotional support to people navigating the criminal justice system. “We help with emotional support and advocating for them because there’s a lot that goes on,” she said.

Malyssa hopes her story will “show others that healing is possible and that they can build a life they’re proud of, no matter where they started.”

She is only the sixth student in Pima’s history to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which covers tuition, living expenses, books, and other fees not met by institutional aid. In addition to financial support, recipients receive academic and career advising, graduate school funding, and access to a national network of Cooke Scholars.