From Aspiration to Accomplishment: How Disney Aspire Helped a Long Beach Single Mother Earn Her Degree

Photo Credit: Matt Gush for UMass Global

IRVINE, Calif. (May 23, 2022) – Former Disneyland cast member Joanna Bonilla made the most of her opportunity to earn a free college degree via the Disney Aspire program. By keeping focused on her studies and raising two sons, even while the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the theme park being entirely closed to the public, she now holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.

“I tell everyone I know how lucky I was to participate in this program, and I just brag about it all the time,” Bonilla said.

University of Massachusetts Global, formerly Brandman University, is heavily involved in programs like Disney Aspire that enable major employers to offer free college as a workplace benefit. The university works with Guild Education and The Walt Disney Co. to enroll Disney cast members in free college.

Bonilla and other Disney Aspire graduates assembled late Sunday afternoon at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine prior to the university’s Southern California Commencement. UMass Global leaders expressed their admiration for the graduates during the gathering.

“Our degrees are not designed to be easy,” Arts and Sciences Dean Jeremy Korr said. “It is an accomplishment to complete a degree, especially as a working adult. My fellow deans and I give you all the congratulations in the world.”

Looking back on her studies, Bonilla said she enjoyed learning about conflict resolution and concepts related to servant leadership. She hopes to use her degree to help others who she works with maximize their own potential.

“Anything that allows me to support others and lead them to success, find whatever paths they learn best by, and guide them to achieve their goals,” she said.

Photography is available. To request photo assets, or to request an interview with Bonilla or a representative of UMass Global, contact Andrew Edwards in the Office of Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Public Affairs via Edwards1@umassglobal.edu or 949-383-3156.