Hi, my name is Kaya Thomas

I’m a 5th-year student at Northeastern University and a candidate for a bachelor of science in psychology. I’m raising approx. $5,780 to finish my final semester of college and secure the degree I have worked toward for years.

Why this degree matters

I want my degree so I can help heal the wounds of my community- and honestly, the world. We are overdue for a change: a deeper focus on mental health, on healing, justice, and things actually getting better. Right now, my degree is in jeopardy, and the university has told me there are no remaining institutional options to help me bridge the gap, including my university’s cultural centers.

My college journey

I started college in 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusting to college life was hard enough, but moving to a city completely unlike the one I came from made it even harder. Culture shock is an understatement.

My first year, I spent most of my time in my single suite on campus. I didn’t yet know how to socialize or feel comfortable coming out of my shell. By the second semester, I made friends - but I still didn’t feel like I belonged or had a true home on campus.

Hitting rock bottom, and choosing to keep going

By my sophomore year, the lack of community weighed heavily on me. Even when surrounded by people, I felt deeply alone. During my first semester of my second year, I was genuinely considering suicide - not for the first time in my life, but for the first time with the thought: ive made it this far. I can't give up yet.

Taking a break from school at the end of the semester felt like a setback, but I knew I was trusting the plan God had for me.

Finding purpose outside of the classroom

I took three semesters off and worked full-time in various entry-level positions, learning what I liked and what I didn't. Still, a thought never left me: This is cool, but it cannot be it for me.

For as long as I can remember, I've felt like an outsider looking in- watching social groups form around me, or feeling like a spectator in my own life.

What I carry with me

Domestic violence was a major part of my childhood, and it has resurfaced in my personal life recently. Despite these challenges, I have performed at my best academically this semester. I am proud of myself for continuing, even when it felt nearly impossible.

Gratitude

I want to thank my parents for raising me, and God for choosing me and giving me chance after chance.

I want to thank my sorority for finding me at my most vulnerable. If it weren't for them, I'm not sure how I would've survived after my father was brutally murdered on September 9, 2023. I am forever grateful to the Iota chapter of Delta sigma theta sorority, incorporated, for saving me at a time when I didn't even know how much I needed saving.

I also thank every teacher I’ve ever had- whether they came in the form of a professor or a painful lesson. I've learned so much, and I want to share that knowledge with the world.

Why I owe this money

For transparency: I owe the university this balance due to a title IX situation that forced me to switch courses at the start of the semester. I was advised by a trusted professor that the switch would be handled smoothly.

However, an unannounced withdrawal deadline change led the university to assume I overloaded courses- something I was never approved to do. As a result, my tuition was adjusted, and I was charged $11,000 for a course I transferred out of within the first 3 weeks. This GoFundMe represents the remaining balance I must pay to finish my degree.

To my university

To Northeastern University- whom I still hope to call my alma mater - I appreciate you now more than ever. I’ve found staff who advocate for me, friends who support me, and memories that will last a lifetime.

My ask

I am asking for help from my community to finish what I started. Every donation, share, and message of support brings me one step closer to graduating.

I dream of uplifting and supporting my communities as I climb the ladder I believe God built for me - and I hope to share that journey with you.

With love and blessings,

Kaya

P.S. pictured here are some of my favorite memories I've made in college. Also, the shih tzu is my 13 year old emotional support animal that I’ve had since I was 10. He is also eager for me to finish this degree so that maybe we can travel the world together while there's still time.

I have to figure out my plan for moving forward by January 6th. Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit of my testimony and story.