Jannice Gamble
Jannice Gamble was honored to serve as the student speaker for the 2015 Commencement
Ceremony at El Camino College Compton Center. The associate degree recipient waited
14 years to walk in the commencement processional. Gamble transferred to California
State University, Long Beach in fall 2015 to major in child development. Her future
goal is to become a college professor, following in the footsteps of her mother who
is also an ECC Compton Center graduate and teaches for the Los Angeles Unified School
District.
Gamble is a hard-working, single mother of two sons (Raphael, 7 and Hosea, 3) who has supported her family by working several jobs before deciding to enroll in college. After graduating from Locke High School in 2001, she entered the workforce and was employed as a loan officer, an operator for public transportation, a nursery director, and finally an instructional aide at ECC Compton Center's Child Development Center where she found her calling. At the May 2015 Commencement Ceremony, Gamble received her associate degree for transfer in child development, a Certificate of Achievement in early childhood education, and a Master Teacher's Permit.
During the 2014-2015 academic year, Gamble served as an ECC Compton Center student ambassador and worked in the Transfer Center. She gave incoming students the same advice she received as a new college student: "Take advantage of the great programs and services offered at ECC Compton Center. There are a lot of opportunities here for students to be successful." Gamble also participated in the EOPS and CARE programs, where she received academic counseling and tutoring, attended workshops, joined student activities, and received vouchers for books, meals and gas. "The faculty and staff have been so good to me," said Gamble. "They helped me through my educational journey and they have inspired me to help others."
She says all of her dedication and hard work, including the 24 units she completed during the spring 2015 semester, set a positive example for her sons. The family does homework together each night, and her oldest son is a straight-A student. "This was perfect timing for me to complete my education," said Gamble.
