For Heart Carbajal, graduating from Georgia State University represents not only a personal achievement but also a milestone for their family. As the child of a single mother who emigrated from Guatemala and one of seven siblings, Carbajal is the first in their family to earn a college degree. Their journey included leaving high school at age 16 to help support their family, before obtaining a GED and enrolling at Georgia State.
“I had to drop out of high school at 16,” said Carbajal, who was an Advanced Placement honors student at the time. “My family needed help. I was babysitting and working, and I eventually got my GED so I could start college.”
Initially unsure about which field to pursue, Carbajal considered law but struggled to find the right major until taking Introduction to African American Studies with lecturer Lisa Shannon.
“I just learned so much in that single class,” Carbajal said. “I remember thinking, my eyes were finally opening. Dr. Shannon is such a great professor.”
The experience led Carbajal to declare Africana Studies as their major, which clarified their career goals and strengthened their commitment to pursuing law.
“I think also it’s prepared me so well to become an attorney in the future,” they said. “Just understanding the history of some of the most oppressed and resilient groups of people in the entire world. How can I go into that sector of law without having this information or knowledge? It just wouldn’t make sense to me now.”
Carbajal credits faculty members in the Department of Africana Studies for providing guidance and support throughout their academic journey. They received recommendation letters, participated in study abroad programs, joined Georgia State’s Student Appeals Committee, and were awarded the department’s highest honor: the Anna Julia Cooper/W.E.B. Du Bois Award for academic excellence.
“When I got the email, I thought it was a scam,” Carbajal said, laughing. “It still hasn’t fully hit me. But I know I’ve worked harder than most people realize to get here.”
Their drive toward justice began early on while defending younger siblings against hurtful comments during childhood.
“Even as a kid, I defended her,” Carbajal said. “I didn’t have a choice. I’ve always had to stand up for people.”
Studying Africana Studies provided them with historical context and critical tools that shaped this instinct into an intended legal career focused on human rights.
After graduation, Carbajal plans to take a gap year for Law School Admission Test (LSAT) preparation before pursuing work in human rights law—a decision influenced by both personal experiences and academic learning.
Beyond academics, Carbajal contributed at Album 88—the university’s student-run radio station—and sold homemade desserts at Atlanta events as another way to support themselves financially while connecting with memories from childhood.
Carbajal hopes their accomplishment will inspire younger siblings: “I want them to see someone in the family make it through college,” they said. “So, when I say I’m studying, they understand why.”
Offering advice for others facing similar challenges: “Keep going,” they said. “It gets hard. But if you love what you study, you’ll find a way.”
