Jessica Pearson: One Day At A Time

Published on Feb 4 2026

 

Jessica Pearson is a mother, a wife, a student, and a full-time employee. As one can imagine, balancing these roles makes her a bit like Thor in the final Avengers film: tired but steadfast, carrying more than anyone should, yet refusing to fall. A pre-nursing student, finishing up her pre-requisites (anatomy, physiology, chemistry to name a few) for the registered nursing program, Jessca manages a 4.0 grade point average in some of the toughest classes that CR has to offer.  Jessica first attended CR in 2005 when she was just nineteen years old. She’d just moved to Humboldt from Redding. Young, on her own, and still trying to figure out who she was, and what she wanted from life, eventually, she stepped away from school to focus on her family. It wasn’t until 2022, after trying to pick up pieces of her life, between the growing and the healing, the learning and the setbacks, and more growth and more setbacks, that she moved back to Humboldt County with a renewed sense of self. Wiser.  Seasoned. More life experience. She began to rebuild herself, one day at a time. A pre-nursing student, finishing up her pre-requisites (anatomy, physiology, chemistry to name a few) for the registered nursing program, Jessca manages a 4.0 grade point average in some of the toughest classes that CR has to offer.  Jessica first attended CR in 2005 when she was just nineteen years old. She’d just moved to Humboldt from Redding. Young, on her own, and still trying to figure out who she was, and what she wanted from life, eventually, she stepped away from school to focus on her family. It wasn’t until 2022, after trying to pick up pieces of her life, between the growing and the healing, the learning and the setbacks, and more growth and more setbacks, that she moved back to Humboldt County with a renewed sense of self. Wiser.  Seasoned. More life experience. She began to rebuild herself, one day at a time.

Upon moving back to Humboldt, she decided to return to College of the Redwoods. A mother now, she says, “Returning to school after a long break came with its own challenges. I was balancing full-time work, family responsibilities, and later, pregnancy, all while learning how to be a student again. There was also the internal challenge of rebuilding confidence and trust that I belonged in an academic setting.”

Jessica could have attended any community college, but she chose CR. “When I decided to go back to school, I wanted to do it in a place that felt connected to community, growth, and opportunity. CR felt like a school that truly understands nontraditional students and supports people who are rebuilding their lives while pursuing their goals. Enrolling here felt like choosing both education and home.”

Jessica currently works in the healthcare field which is partly what inspired her to go into nursing. But more importantly, she says, “A significant medical experience in my life showed me the profound impact that calm, compassionate, and skilled healthcare professionals can have during moments of crisis. Being cared for with dignity during a vulnerable time changed how I viewed healthcare and ultimately inspired me to want to be that person for others. Nursing feels like a meaningful way to give back and to transform difficult experiences into purposeful care.”

When asked how she handles the balance of it all, she says, “I rely on organization, routines, and setting realistic goals to stay on track. When things feel overwhelming, I remind myself why I started and take things one step at a time. Maintaining balance has taught me discipline and resilience, both of which are essential skills for my future career.”

And when those moments of self-doubt creep in, Jessica has learned she’s more capable than she once believed. “I stay committed even when it feels uncomfortable.” She goes on to say, “CR has helped me see myself not just for someone who perseveres, but as someone who succeeds and thrives academically.”

As for mentors, Wendy Riggs is at the top of her list. “Professor Riggs helped me recognize my own capabilities and develop confidence in my ability to succeed in rigorous science coursework. Her guidance played a key role in shaping how I view myself as a student and reaffirmed that I belong in this academic and professional path.” 

Nothing has changed and yet everything has changed. Because for Jessica Pearson, it isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up every day, even on hard days, and rewriting her story one day at a time.