Single mother graduates from UCLA with three degrees

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A single mother of three boys, Deanna Jordan, graduated over the weekend from UCLA with three degrees.

Jordan grew up in Compton and, by 22, was a mother of three.

“I needed for my sons to see there was a legacy that preceded them with college,” Jordan told CBS Los Angeles. “I am the first in my family to go to college.”

The 28-year-old attended West Los Angeles Community College for two years before transferring to UCLA, where she spent three-and-a-half years.

Jordan earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in African-American Studies.

“You can’t really succeed unless you fail, and I failed a lot of times, but it was my persistence and my willingness never to give up,” she said.

In addition to her studies, she founded the Compton Pipeline Taskforce, a volunteer organization that helps Compton schools.

The new graduate plans to attend law school in the future in an effort to become a district attorney.

Click here to find out more from the local CBS affiliate.

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.