Leslie Lindon ’88 reports that she is continuing the educational journey that was interrupted due to family health issues three decades ago. As detailed in her Bruin Story, Lindon felt obligated to leave graduate school at UC Irvine to help for care the father who had, to put it mildly, not been particular supportive of her at any point in her life.

She wrote,

It’s been quite a long journey but I just recently had a victory! UC Irvine has allowed me to take my first grad-level class through Concurrent enrollment this fall, 2025. At first they said no, telling me that concurrent enrollment is mainly only for undergrad work. But I didn’t give up! I wrote the UC Irvine Dept. of Continuing Education back (and I added my UCLA Alumni story at the end under my name). I re-expressed my strong desire to take the course, and that it may apply to future work I am lining up for myself now. Well, somehow it worked: I got in for fall 2025! I’m taking one of the needed graduate courses I was missing back when I was taking care of my dying father: Graduate Prosem Dance History. I am beyond THRILLED!

I’m not really sure if I can actually earn my master’s degree from here, but I’m going to try! I have 42 units done out of 72 needed, but getting in this fall for this course means I’ll be on campus learning more about dance, which is exactly where I left off 30 years ago when my WHOLE CAREER and life PURPOSE got side railed!

I realize this is just a small step, but it’s a step FORWARD at least! I feel strong & determined. Mostly, I am just excited and hopeful! Next up: looking into getting a California Teacher’s Sub Certificate so I can sub for dance, music and musical theatre classes in high school or colleges.

THANK YOU UCLA Alumni Association for reminding me where I came from…and the amazing UCLA Alumni I have beside me! (I think it gave me confidence.)

Thank you again for being part of my journey!

Best Regards,

Leslie Lindon Rhodes
B.A. UCLA World Arts & Cultures: Dance, 1988
M.F.A., UC Irvine Claire Trevor School in Dance Education – in progress!