Geneva Lemon: Mother Knows Best

While raising three young children, senior Geneva Lemon feels that doing something for herself is important, despite the demands of motherhood.

“If you’re not happy with yourself, what kind of mother are you going to be?” she says. “You have to have a sense of self to be able to give to your kids. As the mother of two girls, I want them to be complete women and I’m trying to lead by example.”

The political science/public administration major was employed as a California Highway Patrol dispatcher until hand surgery left her on disability. Undaunted, she decided that her next career move would be to return to law enforcement – as a judge focusing on criminal law. She credits the CBAPP faculty with “extending opportunities, with information on grants and scholarships, and classes offered at convenient times.

“By the time I decided to go back to school as a 31-year-old-freshman, it had to mean something and I had to get it done as quickly as possible,” she says.

Lemon plans to graduate in fall of 2006, and is considering USC or the University of Michigan for law school. In the meantime, she hopes that her academic achievements will inspire her offspring to their own success.

“My 9-year-old and I compete, and it’s helped her be a better student,” she says with pride. “She hasn’t beat me yet, but it’s something for her to aspire to.”

- Joanie Harmon

Photo above: Geneva Lemon, senior (Political Science/Public Administration), sets an example for her three children. Surrounding Lemon, counterclockwise: Alexis McCoy, 3; Alex McCoy, 2; and Erika Carter, 9. Photo by Joanie Harmon