Déva Plumlee

MiraCosta College student Déva Plumlee was selected by Genentech to receive a $7,500 scholarship and a summer internship as part of the Genentech Scholars Program.  Plumlee, a MiraCosta biology student, plans to transfer to UCSD in the fall and has the ultimate goal of obtaining a Ph.D.

“Every biology, physiology and chemistry class I take I love,” she explains.  “I love to connect what I learn in these classes to the body systems.  I know that I want to be a healer or be involved with disease prevention, whether through conducting research or practicing medicine.”

Even though Plumlee lives in South San Diego County, she says she makes the long drive north to MiraCosta College because “…it’s such an amazing college.”  She says the science program at the college has given her a great foundation that she is confident has prepared her for more advanced study.  “I’ve been truly blessed with MiraCosta and I’ve had so many excellent teachers.” 

Plumlee has attended MiraCosta College since 2002 and is currently finishing her last semester in MiraCosta’s Transfer Admission Guarantee Program with UCSD.  In 2004, she graduated with an associate degree from MiraCosta but has since changed her area of study from nutrition to human biology.  A highly successful and motivated student, Plumlee was selected as a recipient for the 2004 Medal of Honor for Academic Excellence, the college’s highest academic honor.   As the mother of a six-year old daughter, she has also shown the ability to balance family life, school and work.

Besides the strong academic support she received at MiraCosta College, Plumlee also says she has received personal help and attention from faculty and staff.  It is this extra help, coupled with the support of her family and friends, which has enabled Plumlee to excel academically while still maintaining a healthy balance between school, work and family. 

“MiraCosta College has been so supportive.  The EOPS program has helped me immensely.   I also have been blessed to receive scholarships with the help of the Scholarship Office.  Also, many of the faculty members were great mentors and really believed in me,” she says.  “People ask how I can be a mom, a full-time student, and work.  I tell them, I don’t think about how I do it, I just do it.”