Ella’s Journey from Resilience to Purpose

Publish Date: June 15, 2026

Ella Burtram's journey to Crafton Hills College is rooted in resilience, purpose, and hope. A first-generation college student from Yucaipa, California, Ella chose CHC because it was close to home—but she stayed because of something deeper. From the moment she stepped onto the campus she describes as “absolutely gorgeous,” Ella found an environment filled with people and staff who genuinely cared. That sense of belonging, she says, has made it an honor to be a Roadrunner.

Pursuing a degree in Psychology, with plans to graduate in June 2028, Ella is driven by a desire to understand people more deeply and help them navigate their emotions. Her goals extend beyond Crafton Hills: she plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn her bachelor’s degree, and eventually a master’s degree in psychology. 

Ella believes there are important parts of Crafton Hills College that deserve more recognition, especially the resources that support students in need. She specifically appreciates the campus services that provide food, snacks, and even appliances to students who are struggling. These support systems quietly make a life-changing difference.

For Ella, CHC has been transformative. After years of wanting to return to school, she found the transition challenging, yet the welcoming nature of the staff and the shared ambition of her peers helped her feel less alone and more motivated.

Her appreciation for Crafton Hills is tied to her life experiences. As a child, Ella was adopted after her biological parents struggled with addiction. Years spent in court, followed by an abusive home environment, shaped her early life. At just eighteen, she was forced to leave home with no car and nowhere to go. What followed were periods of homelessness, sleeping in cars, moving from place to place, and remaining in unhealthy situations simply to have shelter. Through it all, Ella kept moving forward. She worked tirelessly to secure a car, then a place of her own, and ultimately the opportunity to return to school.

Those challenges, Ella says, taught her the power of faith, resilience, and perseverance. They shaped her into someone who refuses to give up, even when the world feels unforgiving. Crafton Hills College has become a critical part of that journey. For Ella, CHC is a lifeline, a community, and a place where her hard work and belief in herself are finally paying off.

Inspired by Ella’s story? Your journey can start here too. Apply today at www.craftonhills.edu/go and take the first step toward your future.