When we first caught up with Tunisia Johnson (class of ‘23), she was attending a University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) School of Business student mixer back in January at the LAX campus. She was a few minutes late because she was coming from an important work event. Working full-time while also engaging in other health-sector business ventures and studying full-time is, for obvious reasons, fraught with challenges.

But juggling professional and personal life is also something that Tunisia has excelled at, having nearly completed her undergraduate degree. According to this highly ambitious woman, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Such is life for a working student and mother attending UWLA for her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with plans to enter the Master of Science in Leadership, Management, and Technology program. What makes Tunisia’s story a bit different from other working students who are studying for a degree is that she enjoyed the UWLA experience so much in her first year that she encouraged and got her daughter, Briana White (class of ‘24), to join her and enroll at the school.

So yes, this weekend, Tunisia and Briana have more than just a delicious Mother’s Day meal on their plates. They’re in the middle of preparing for finals! For Tunisia, these will be her last finals, as she plans to be part of the UWLA graduation ceremony later in June.

Tunisia, who has been working with the City of Inglewood for 23 years, came to learn about UWLA from other city employees who were studying at the school. 

“Outside of working for the City of Inglewood, which I absolutely love, I am also an entrepreneur, founding Peach Love Inc, and Peach Hospitality Adult Residential Care, a facility for people aged 18-59 with developmental disabilities who need support with daily living activities, such as  mobility, medication support, and other special needs,” stated Tunisia.

Tunisia has also created and is getting ready to launch her foundation she is calling POLISH (Protection Over Loved Ones In Special Housing), which will provide emergency placement and transitional housing to children ages 0 to 21. Stay tuned for more information on this special endeavor as it launches later this year.

With her hands full managing all these ventures, Tunisia really did not have time to pursue her advanced education. However, recommendations from colleagues at the City of Inglewood encouraged her to pursue a degree with UWLA because of the school’s sensitivity to the needs of working professionals. While recommendations may have gotten her to enroll, it is the culture at the school that not only keeps her in the program but has encouraged her to inspire her daughter and others to join, as well.

“I love the FEEL good mission and values that UWLA embraces – Feel stands for Family, Equity, Educational Empowerment, and Leadership – everyone at UWLA embodies these values, and that is what I love most about the school,” said Tunisia.

When asked what advice she would have for other students, Tunisia said: “UWLA would be the number one choice for business school. They have an online program, they are family-oriented, and they help you through the process from admissions through graduation. All the people I have encountered and worked with at UWLA are amazing, and I am proud to be part of such a great institution.”

Tunisia’s advice to people thinking about higher education. “It is never too late to return to school, she said. “I am 50+ years old and loving it. And I encouraged my daughter to come back to school, as well as others. UWLA has great opportunities to complete a degree, or get a new advanced degree in Business or Law, to help you move forward in your career and life goals.”

Tunisia’s advice must have resonated with her daughter – Briana White, age 34 – who is also a student of the UWLA School of Business bachelor completion program.

Briana is in her fourth term at UWLA, studying business administration with a focus on organizational leadership.

“I went to Southwest University for my general requirements,” said Briana. “I graduated in 2009 with my associate of arts degree in Sociology, and I plan to finish my bachelor's program in the Summer of 2024.”

“In addition to my studies, I work full time. On top of that, I am a single mom raising a beautiful daughter, Bella, who is six years old. So, it’s a big commitment for me and the family, but I’m so glad I did it. I’m just so very happy I chose UWLA. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging of my success there,” explained Briana.

“I work at SoCalGas as a customer programs advisor,” stated Briana. “People at my company are definitely supportive of my schoolwork. In fact, similar to the encouragement my mom received from her employer, part of the reason I am back in school is that my team leader has been pushing me and is very supportive, helping me move up in the company. SoCalGas is incredibly supportive, as they also offer tuition reimbursement, which is an amazing benefit.”

“Of course, getting my degree is good for furthering my career,” said Briana. “I think it will help position me for future promotions or, if I choose, get back on my career path in human resources.”

“Like my mom, I am definitely interested in the UWLA Master’s Degree in Business program, but unlike mom, I think I need to take a little break first,” said Briana.

When asked what message she’d like to share with her mom this Mother’s Day, Briana said this:  “I definitely want to say I’m very proud of you, Mom. You deserve all your success, and you are definitely an inspiration to me and Bella. We look forward to congratulating you in June and again when you receive your master’s degree one day. Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day, too. Bella and I love you!”

And Tunisia has a similar message for Briana: “I am extremely proud of Briana, and I am full of love for her and my granddaughter, Bella. I know first-hand how hard it is for her to work full-time, raise her family, and go to school, and I couldn’t be any more proud of her or any more excited about her future. She is a bright, shining star.”

And Tunisia’s final words: “Watch out, UWLA master’s program … here I come!”