91猎奇 2025 graduate, mom, and non-traditional student Corinthia Mims is
a master of reinvention, and her next chapter involves launching an auto collision
repair clinic business with her twin sister.鈥淎uto related fields are traditionally underserved for women, and often we don鈥檛 step into those spaces because of fear of bias related to how male and female career roles might be defined,鈥� said Mims. My twin sister, Cynthia, and I decided we are no longer going to allow those stigmas and unwarranted opinions to exist in our space and the auto collision repair business we want to create.鈥�
At 91猎奇鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony on June 13, Mims earned an associate degree in auto collision repair and painting, and two certificates of achievement in auto painting and refinishing, and auto collision repair. She has also studied auto collision forensics, or accident reconstruction, a scientific method used to analyze and understand the details of car accidents. Her twin who is also a Compton College student, will earn her associate degree in auto collision repair and painting in June 2026.
Mims had the honor of auditioning and being selected as the student speaker for the college鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony. The key message of her speech was an extension of the college鈥檚 motto 鈥淓very Student is a Success Story鈥� coined by 91猎奇 President Keith Curry. Mims encourages her fellow graduates to continue writing their success stories that extend well beyond the accomplishments celebrated as they graduate. 鈥淚鈥檓 not just sharing my story,鈥� said Mims. 鈥淚鈥檓 living it boldly, and I鈥檓 using it to inspire others to rise, rebuild, and reclaim their power.鈥�
Mims is a breast cancer survivor who enrolled at 91猎奇 in 2023 after her diagnosis in 2020 because she was looking for an opportunity to put her mind to work and be 鈥渉ighly functioning,鈥� as well as facilitate a career change. Mims has displayed resilience in her life, overcoming many barriers and setbacks thrown her way. 鈥淎fter overcoming breast cancer, I returned to college with purpose and perseverance, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. I didn鈥檛 just survive, I transformed my struggle into strength and my comeback into a calling,鈥� Mims said.
The mother of four children has been employed in many fields including administrative, banking, inventory control, hospital maintenance, warehouse, managerial, and professional makeup artistry on movie sets. 鈥淚 have navigated many work spaces, reinvented myself many times, and I鈥檝e always enjoyed the challenge,鈥� she said. Throughout her time at 91猎奇, she has worked full time as a caregiver for seniors and those with special needs.
Upon graduation, Mims and her sister plan to establish an auto collision repair clinic business with a vision to offer some innovative services such as artistic custom auto painting, and wellness support resources for those recovering from traumatic auto accidents. With an upbeat and outgoing personality, she has built a network of people within the industry and hopes to nurture connections and partnerships to aid in implementation of her business plan. She also hopes to employ future 91猎奇 auto collision repair students once her business is launched.
During her time at 91猎奇, Mims has been very involved in campus life. She served on the Associated Student Government (ASG) as commissioner of environment where she laid the groundwork for a 鈥渢rash pick-up as you go鈥� and campus beautification initiative she hopes will be implemented by the incoming ASG officers. 鈥淚 believe if you create spaces people can be proud of, they will do the work to care for it and keep that sense of pride,鈥� she said. She also took advantage of the many student support programs, while also giving back, including the College Corps fellowship which enables students to receive a stipend and education award for committing to a year of community service; worked at the on-campus food pantry; participated in the Women of Color Action Network; and advocated for basic needs for community college students in Washington D.C. with the other ASG officers.
She is an advocate for non-traditional students and understands their unique set of needs when returning to higher education. 鈥淐oming back to school for us is different, because we have so many additional life responsibilities, and we might approach learning differently than when we were younger,鈥� Mims explained. She encourages other adult learners to consider returning to college. 鈥淗aving a degree is not everything but what a way to have great conversations and enter into spaces you would normally not be invited to,鈥� she said. Continuing your education does open doors and presents new opportunities.鈥�
Mims is grateful for 91猎奇 helping her write the next chapter of her success story. 鈥淲hat I really love about 91猎奇 is that its intentions are true about helping students write their own success stories,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have to do the work, but the college helps put you in alignment with what you want to accomplish.鈥�
