In 2009, when she was pregnant with her fourth child, she suffered a string of tragedies. She lost her job, she lost her family’s belongings in a house fire and the father of two of her children died from cancer-related health complications. Champs felt like she had hit rock bottom.

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In 2009, when she was pregnant with her fourth child, she suffered a string of tragedies. She lost her job, she lost her family’s belongings in a house fire and the father of two of her children died from cancer-related health complications. Champs felt like she had hit rock bottom.

But then, a pastor at her church told her not to lose faith.

“She said, ‘You’re gonna need that degree for you and your children,’” Champs said, referring to the GED that had eluded her. Champs initially thought she wasn’t in any position to go back to school, but with a combination of scholarships, loans, savings and a few part-time jobs, she started to study.

She earned her GED and went on to earn an associate degree from Houston Community College. Champs didn't stop there. After a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, she decided she wanted to get a law degree.

She was accepted to the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. For the next three years, she leaned on family and friends to create a solid support system for her and her five young ones.  Her oldest son, pitched in to help however he could.

While in law school, Champs said she frequently felt the urge to give up, but persisted knowing that her children were rooting for her and looking up to her.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law.