Madison Shumway was one of four star student speakers featured in Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s 2026 commencement ceremonies. Shumway graduated from CGCC with an Associate in Arts in Counseling and Psychological Science.
Shumway applied her education beyond the classroom as a behavior technician for children with autism. She values helping others and is heavily involved in volunteer work at food banks and encampments across the Valley, even organizing her own hygiene kit drive for the unhoused population in Phoenix.
Upon completing her first semester at CGCC, Shumway served an 18-month mission in North Carolina.
“There, I learned what it means to forget yourself and to unite in a cause greater than your own,” said Shumway. “Hand in hand with strangers from around the world, I fed the hungry and the unhoused, I taught English to immigrants, I learned Spanish and countless customs and traditions practiced in Latin America. Coming back from my mission, I got back to studies at CGCC within one week and had a deeper appreciation for those who are different from me.”
Shumway is a first-generation college student who found her place at CGCC.
“Beyond my story, CGCC is also the story of my classmates,” said Shumway. “It's all of us with different backgrounds, experiences, cultures, races and goals coming together in school to collaborate, solve problems, better ourselves and even make the world a better place. That has been the experience of many students here at CGCC. To me, this college is a place where I belong and where all students belong.”
Shumway plans to continue her work as a substitute teacher and tutor for children with learning disabilities.