From Crafton to Advocacy: Evelyn Olive’s Journey to Disability Rights Leadership

Publish Date: Feb. 23, 2026

When Evelyn Olive enrolled in Psychology Statistics at Crafton Hills College in fall 2022, she simply intended to complete a requirement for the Social Work program at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She didn’t plan to apply that semester because she still had three prerequisite courses and additional classes to finish her associate degree for transfer in sociology at Crafton. But when her professor, Dr. Pfahler, emphasized that grades would be submitted immediately because students were applying to CSUSB’s Social Work program, something shifted. That encouragement pushed Evelyn to take a chance on herself.

She applied to both CSUSB and California Baptist University and was accepted to both, ultimately choosing CSUSB. What followed was anything but easy. While navigating serious medical challenges—including a coma and heart attack—and facing the threat of homelessness, Evelyn persisted. At the same time, she became a leader and advocate on campus, serving as treasurer and then president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus chapter, treasurer of the Social Work Student Association, and a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Driven by her experience as a student with disabilities, Evelyn worked to challenge and dismantle barriers that limited access to Education Abroad programs. After advocating for change, she studied abroad in Japan, redefining what is possible for disabled students who want to pursue global learning opportunities.

This May, Evelyn will graduate with her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a minor in Disability Studies. Two weeks later, she will begin CSUSB’s Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program, focusing on disability rights. Her goal is to consult with universities to expand accessible study abroad opportunities and advocate for students who encounter institutional barriers.

Evelyn’s journey from Crafton Hills College to graduate school was sparked by a simple push at the right moment. Sometimes, believing in a student just a little sooner than they believe in themselves can change everything.