Meet Demia Lotson
Educator, Advocate, First-Generation College Graduate, and Founder of Rising Voices

My name is Demia Lotson, and I am a first-generation college graduate, higher education professional, and advocate for educational access, equity, and opportunity. Raised in Compton, California, my journey has been shaped by resilience, faith, personal growth, and the belief that where you begin does not have to determine where you end up.

My college journey was anything but a straight line. Like many students, I entered higher education with dreams for my future, but I also encountered challenges that forced me to pause, reevaluate, and find my way forward. My initial experience at Texas Southern University did not unfold as I had imagined. Personal struggles and challenges with my mental health led me to step away from college, leaving me to navigate the difficult process of rediscovering myself and my purpose.

For a time, my path looked different from what I had envisioned. But my story did not end there.

I made the decision to return to school, giving myself another opportunity to pursue the future I had always imagined. At Chaffey College, I found more than a place to continue my education. I found opportunities to grow as a leader, become involved in student life, and discover the impact I could have on others. Through my involvement in the Umoja community and Chaffey Student Government, where I served as a senator and Director of Engagement, I began to understand that my experiences could become part of something bigger than myself.

I went on to earn my Associate Degree for Transfer in Sociology from Chaffey College before continuing to California State University, San Bernardino, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in December 2025. Every step represented more than an academic accomplishment. It represented the determination to keep going, the courage to begin again, and the realization that a delayed journey is still a journey worth celebrating.

Today, I work in higher education as an Outreach Specialist at Chaffey College, where I am passionate about helping students discover their options, navigate the college-going process, and recognize the possibilities available to them. My work is especially meaningful to me because I understand that behind every student is a story, and behind every dream may be uncertainty, financial barriers, family responsibilities, self-doubt, or circumstances that others may never see.

I know what it feels like when your journey does not go according to plan. I also know the power of being given another chance.

That understanding is at the heart of Rising Voices.

I created Rising Voices to celebrate the stories behind the achievements — the unexpected turns, the setbacks, the sacrifices, the moments of uncertainty, and the victories that deserve to be heard. I believe our stories have the power to remind someone else that they are not alone, that their circumstances do not define their potential, and that there is no single timeline for becoming who you are meant to be.

Through college stories, community conversations, educational resources, and opportunities for connection, Rising Voices seeks to create a space where people can share their experiences honestly, learn from one another, and find encouragement in the journeys of others.

Beyond my professional work, I am a woman of faith who continues to grow, dream, and pursue purpose in every season of life. I believe in showing up for myself, embracing the lessons that come with the journey, and using what I have learned to make the path a little easier for someone else.

My story is still being written, and that is what makes it beautiful. I am not defined by the moment I stepped away from college, but by the decision to return. I am not defined by the obstacles I encountered, but by the growth that followed.

If there is one thing I hope my journey reminds you of, it is this: You are allowed to begin again. Your path does not have to look like anyone else's, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Welcome to Rising Voices — where every journey has a story, every voice has value, and every story has the power to inspire.