Alumni Feature: Andrea Feodorov
When Andrea Feodorov (née Hackett) crossed the virtual stage in May 2025 to receive her Associate Degree in English from San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), it marked far more than the completion of a degree. It symbolized perseverance, healing, and the discovery of a new purpose.
Andrea first enrolled at SBVC in the fall of 2022 while undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a painful and aggressive form of blood cancer. At the time, she had no idea that her decision to return to school would serve as a turning point, one that would not only ease her physical suffering but also reignite a lifelong love for research, writing, and learning.
“I realized that while I was writing and doing research, I wasn’t focused on the pain,” Andrea recalled. “It became a form of pain relief.” That realization led her to enroll at SBVC, a choice she describes as life-changing.
Though she completed her degree entirely online from her home in Hemet, Andrea developed deep connections with the campus community. From her very first English class with Professor Michael Ritchie to challenging feedback from Professor Joel Lamore, who she credits with making her “teachable,” Andrea found herself surrounded by faculty who believed in her and pushed her to grow.
Her academic journey wasn’t without struggle. At one point, due to complications from treatment, Andrea had to complete coursework using a jeweler’s headset after damaging her eyesight. But she persevered, ultimately graduating with honors and earning a 3.89 GPA.
“Every professor I had took the time to truly invest in me,” Andrea shared. “Their support made all the difference. I learned more in those classrooms than I ever imagined possible.”
Andrea’s commitment to equity and advocacy predates her time at SBVC. Years earlier, she made national headlines for her work in organizing the Las Vegas Dancers Alliance (LVDA), an effort to improve working conditions and pursue union protections for dancers across Nevada. Her activism, born from lived experience and a strong sense of justice, shaped her voice and perspective as a writer and a student.
Her experience at SBVC was not only academically transformative—it reshaped her entire view of education and philanthropy. A recipient of Foundation scholarships in her final semesters, Andrea says the financial support she received played a major role in her success. “The scholarship lifted some of the burden off my shoulders when I needed it most,” she said. “I’ll never forget that.”
Now, as she prepares to transfer to UC Riverside to complete her bachelor’s degree, Andrea has made it clear she’s not done with SBVC. Inspired by the impact the college has had on her, she plans to give back through a future endowment and has already begun planning her legacy with the SBVC Foundation’s estate planning consultant.
“Valley changed my life,” Andrea said. “When the time comes, I want to be sure future students have the same support and opportunities I did.”
