Wave Staff Report
COMPTON — Compton College 2026 graduate Cindy Maxwell is proof that education has no expiration date and even if life gets in the way, you can dream big at any age. A nontraditional student and the mother of two adult children, Maxwell has her sights set on finishing law school and eventually becoming an elected judge.
In June, Maxwell graduated with honors from Compton College, earning two associate degrees: an associate degree for transfer in administration of justice and an associate degree in general studies arts and humanities. She also earned a California State University General Education Breadth Certificate, which verifies completion of all lower-division general education credits required to transfer.
She now plans to apply to the University of La Verne and a couple of California State University campuses to earn her juris doctorate, which she has one year left to complete.
After decades of attending several colleges and universities on and off, Maxwell has had varied careers, first as a nurse, then as a bookkeeper, and finally as a paralegal.
“I just had to keep resetting and resetting with all these issues and setbacks that life throws your way,” said Maxwell of the obstacles to completing her law degree.
Guided by her enduring faith, Maxwell always emphasized the importance of resilience, family, and public service to her sons.
“I used to tell my sons that everyone else can give 100% but you guys need to give 500%,” said Maxwell, a single mother who often faced challenging times when the boys were young. “I decided they were not going to become negative statistics on my watch.”
Her sons listened and achieved their aspirations. Her oldest son is NASA astronaut Victor Glover Jr., and her youngest is U.S. Army Ranger Andre Richardson, who first enlisted in the 82nd Airborne Division, was promoted to staff sergeant, and then joined the 75th Ranger Regiment as a marksman/sharpshooter.
Coincidentally, Maxwell’s graduation from Compton College was a convergence of standout celebrations. Glover had safely returned to Earth two months earlier, following a 10-day historic mission around the moon on the Artemis II.
In fact, the morning of Compton College’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony, Maxwell surprised her son live during his interview on KTLA 5 News. It was the first time they had seen each other since before he left on his mission.
“I’m blessed and stressed,” Maxwell said. “My sons’ jobs keep me in church and on my knees.”
Maxwell decided to enroll in Compton College in 2020 because of its welcoming environment, affordability and beneficial student resources, with the goal of completing some needed class requirements and recommitting to her educational goals.
Having felt overlooked as a nontraditional student enrolled at other colleges, she said she was “actually embraced by Compton College staff” when she arrived on campus.
“I felt like somebody really cares for me here, but it wasn’t just one somebody; there are so many people at Compton College who show they genuinely care for the person, the individual, including my professors,” she said.
A model of perseverance, Maxwell enjoyed talking with her fellow students and sharing a bit of wisdom.
“Life can be a lot, and many students are going through hardships similar to what I’ve gone through,” she said. “I tell them to push through their studies and finish while young, because when you get to my age, it’s not so easy.”
After experiencing several different college campuses in her life thus far, Maxwell says Compton College is unique, almost like a second family.
“Compton College has helped put me back on track to finish my aspirations and I’m grateful for the respect I was shown by faculty, staff, and fellow students alike,” Maxwell said.
“I have always wanted to study law, especially criminal law, because I see things that need to be changed there,” she said. “I would like to have my own practice after working for a firm for a while. And in California, there is no mandatory retirement age for elected judges.”
