Countdown to Commencement: Charity Burton

Charity Burton (third from left) with fellow Justice Studies students at SJSU. Photo courtesy of Charity Burton.

Her name is Charity, so it should come as no surprise that she lives a life of service.

A first-generation college graduate, Charity Burton, '26 BS, '27 MS Justice Studies, volunteers on the board as the director of community for the San José Women's Club when she's not in class, caring for her children or volunteering in other various locations.

Burton cofounded a group called SWAG: Stepping Up for Women and Girls in the Community, and together with the San José Women's Club and the Front Door Communities nonprofit, she co-chaired an event for 40 unhoused and recently housed womenat the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral just blocks from San José State in January. Participants received free hygiene kits, clothes, and makeup, as well as a warm meal and a welcoming afternoon of respite.

"Right now, we're making a space for women to come in and talk about the things they experience on the street, and how vulnerable it is to be out there," she says, adding that she understands from her own experience. "There were so many things that could have happened to me. I was almost trafficked. I survived so much, and even though I am functioning in the world now, I know that I need to bring a voice to this community."

The mother of five had started her degree at San José State before being diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis at only 30 years old. The pain and shock of these illnesses, combined with an ongoing struggle with addiction, led to her spending nine months unhoused, seeking solace and support wherever she could. Life became a fight for survival.

Her path to healing came in two parts: First, through her religious faith, and second, in the form of a local judge, who upon meeting her in court, insisted that Burton complete her undergraduate degree. Burton began volunteering in food pantries and found stable housing through a member of the San José Women's Club. In time, she realized that her story had power, and she wanted to use that power to uplift others.

"As the group we formed at the women's club grows, I'm beginning to see the parallels between what services are needed, and what research needs to be done, and how I can [make] an impact," she says. "I think what makes this work really authentic for me is that it's my story. I've had to normalize it, understand it, instead of being ashamed of it. My story is a badge of honor now, because I can relate to people [in similar situations]. My story is my power tool that can be used to start change, empower and strengthen others."

As her health improved, Burton enrolled in community college classes to prepare to re-enroll at San José State. She connected with the Guardian Scholars program and the Educational Opportunity Program at San José State, and worked with academic advisors and financial aid to plot a course forward. Burton credits the Accessible Education Center with providing the study resources, tools and services she needed to learn and thrive in her classes.

" What has stood out most since her return [to SJSU] is not just her academic success, but the way she engages with her education," says Rose Roa, assistant director of undergraduate advising and success at the College of Social Sciences. "Charity has been consistently proactive - seeking out campus resources, building meaningful connections with her professors, and approaching each challenge with intention. She does not wait for answers to come to her; instead, she pursues them. When she encounters uncertainty, she leans in, asks questions, and follows through until she finds clarity."

Roa is one of Burton's many cheerleaders at SJSU.

"I had to learn a new way of learning, because of all the damage that was done, not just because of the treatment I'm under for rheumatoid arthritis, but because of all the drugs and alcohol," she says, explaining that though she is sober now, the long-term effects of addiction can take years to fade away. "It made it hard for me to study, learn, retain information and focus. But I realized I can't fight this on my own; I need help. So I connected with AEC, EOP, Guardian Scholars, and all these angels were so monumental in sustaining and keeping me in school."

Here's what Burton won't tell you, but her professors will: She's an excellent scholar.

"Charity is regularly engaged, prepared and enthusiastic about our subjects," says Greg Woods, senior lecturer in the Justice Studies Department. "In our time together, Charity's confidence, communication and analytical skills have become powerful tools in her pursuit of justice through academic rigor. Moreover, Charity actively contributes to class discussion and clearly exhibits leadership skills among peers while participating in group activities."

Burton also interned for the Record Clearance Project , a program that offers free "speed screenings" to help members of the public understand their legal rights as well as LiveScan fingerprinting to help people get copies of their criminal history reports ("RAP" sheets). It also offers representation in court on petitions to dismiss eligible convictions and reduce eligible felonies to misdemeanors in Santa Clara County.

SJSU Justice Studies instructor and attorney Margaret "Peggy" Stevenson launched the RCP as a series of justice studies courses and an internship program that provides undergraduates with the necessary training and attorney supervision to help eligible individuals get their records cleared as allowed by law, also known as expungement. Along with her peers, Burton learned to interview clients and prepare them for court appearances.

"Charity Burton is powerful, smart, resilient, caring, funny, determined, wise, generous and so much more," says Stevenson. "Charity volunteered for extra projects, such as staffing weeklong record clearance classes in jail. She is a talented speaker in explaining record clearance rights. Charity is unafraid to voice her perspective in class, giving praise and expressing concern to enrich class discussions. She has overcome enormous obstacles and soared. Charity has enriched the Record Clearance Project with her perspective and experience, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her."

When her internship concluded, RCP staff approached Burton to inform her that she was also a candidate for record expungement. Last fall, she formally began the legal process, and with Stevenson and the RCP's support, she has a court date this spring to review, and most likely clear, her record. Given the program's 98% success rate, the chances are good that within a few months of Burton graduating with her degree, she'll have a clean slate to begin her professional career.

"I've learned through my journey that I'm not going to be influenced by other people's choices," she says. "My trauma is not my identity. Since I've been open and honest about my journey and my struggles, so many doors have opened."

Speaking of doors: Not only is Burton the first in her family to graduate with an undergraduate degree, she'll also be the first to pursue a master's degree, thanks to the Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars program . Her graduate work will also be in justice studies, and she hopes to apply her expertise and understanding of the field with her continued community service efforts in San José.

"My professors were monumental in giving me the confidence [to pursue my education]," she says. "It's one thing being in the classroom and coming back from everything I've been through. I think college has definitely reshaped my worldview in a way that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise."

Burton will graduate with her undergraduate degree this May, surrounded by the community she has cultivated. And then she'll get right back to work, organizing the next Stepping Up for Women and Girls event at the San José Women's Club.

"I'm hopeful for the world," she says. "If we look at history, we've gone through hard times and come out. You can't possibly solve it all, so let's try to be a part of life by solving the little things."

SJSU commencement ceremonies take place May 20-22 at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. Graduates who have RSVPed are entitled to bring up to four guests for free; additional guest tickets are available for $25 each. Learn more about commencement.