Current occupation:
Stay at Home Mom
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
After losing my sister, I realized how important it was to create meaningful change in the world. Her passing pushed me to turn my grief into purpose. Around the same time, I became pregnant with my first child, which gave me an even deeper drive to build a better future — not just for my family, but for others who deserve justice and understanding. Returning to school as an adult allowed me to transform loss into motivation and show my son that strength and education can change lives.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
I began my college journey at Rhodes State, where I discovered my passion for learning and found my confidence again. One of my professors saw my potential and encouraged me to continue my education at Tiffin University, knowing it would open more doors for my future. Their belief in me made all the difference. I wanted to keep challenging myself, and Tiffin felt like the right place to take that next step.
Describe your experience with the program so far.
My experience at Tiffin has been incredible. Joining the Cold Case Fellowship gave me a sense of purpose that went far beyond earning a degree; it allowed me to make a real impact and connect my studies to meaningful work. Every class and professor has contributed to that feeling of belonging and growth. I’ve truly enjoyed every part of my journey here, and the technology made it easy to stay organized and engaged along the way.
How are you juggling work, life and going back to school? Any tips?
Balancing work, family, and school hasn’t always been easy — especially while managing a rare disease — but I’ve learned to treat it like spinning plates. Some days, one wobbles, but I just keep going and focus on keeping everything moving. The key is finding joy in what you do. When you truly love what you’re learning, it becomes a healthy distraction from life’s harder moments. My advice to anyone nervous about handling it all is simple: give yourself grace, stay organized, and remember that passion makes perseverance possible.
What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?
What keeps me motivated is the memory of my sister and the impact her loss had on my family. I don’t want other families to experience the same pain and confusion that we did. Every class and project reminds me that I’m working toward something bigger—helping bring answers, understanding, and justice to others. That purpose keeps me going, even on the hardest days.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
You can do anything you set your mind to. Going back to school can feel intimidating, but you’re stronger and more capable than you realize. Your experiences, perspective, and passion are what make you unique, and that difference matters. Life shouldn’t have a stagnant timeline. Growth can happen at any age, and it’s never too late to change your life.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
Honestly, this entire journey has been a risk. When I went back to school, I wasn’t sure I’d even make it through the first year—but six years later, I’m still here and three degrees hotter. Taking that leap changed my life. I proved to myself that it’s never too late to start over, and that the biggest risks often lead to the most rewarding growth.