My Non-Traditional Graduation Story

My Story

 When I started this doctoral pursuit in educational leadership, I WAS an elementary principal running a school of 800+ students and staff and the primary caretaker for my 86 year old mother. I had to effectively manage my time to study, attend classes, and lead my school. I found a good rhythm and discovered that I could get my best work done while my mom watched football loudly in the next room.       Midway through my program, I semi-retired which was good for my health and mental well-being. It was odd being in a program designed to create stronger school leaders when I was no longer a school leader. My departure made me question my purpose and my identity - I had to overcome some stigmas about myself and my next steps during this time. I left the safety net of my former position to work at a non-profit where I was unexpectedly let go because of budgetary constraints.       It was during this time of unemployment and rest that I was able to fully engage myself (again) in the student experience here at UNLV. I was an active ANTS member as well as on the board of The Food Tasting Club. I found myself on campus more than when I actually had to attend classes. I served as a peer mentor with the College of Education and attended GPSA meetings. I even hung out frequently in the Graduate Commons at the library.       

This time  away from work also afforded quality time with my mom. We would go on little adventures together and binge-watch tv (she really liked thrillers - eww).The adult mom-daughter living-in-the-same-house dynamic can me quite tricky to navigate, but thankfully, we worked it out for the better. I cherish our retired time together because my mom died unexpectedly in June. I finished my final dissertation chapter the day before she died. She gave her final notes about my writing as we sat in the ER.  A mother's love never ends. It was not until her passing that I realized how invested in my educational journey she was. Therefore, successfully defending my dissertation became the goal to which I doggedly prayed and pursued in spite of my grief and some internal setbacks.       I successfully defended my dissertation on 10.27.25.  I know my mom is smiling in heaven. 

My Plan

Still figuring that out.  

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 Completing my dissertation was an obstacle and triumph. There are so many pieces and parts to this process as well as systemic hurdles that had to be overcome.   

My Advice

 You will know if it is your time. Don't force something just because someone says you should.  

 My Story

 I started UNLV on a full-time four-year track in 2018 as a biochemistry major. In 2019, I changed majors to Communication Studies and Anthropology, but later reduced Anthropology to a minor. After the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, I left a DV relationship and developed long-COVID. I was housing and food insecure, experienced subsequent infections, and the mental toll led me to fail multiple courses and take a semester off of school. I returned part-time and had to regain my seat in the UNLV Honors College due to previous failed grades lowering my GPA. All of this taught me perseverance in adversity, adaptability when pursuing goals, and ultimately led me to find a passion for my education and career goals. 

 My Plan

 I focused my degree on rhetoric in public communication that impacts public policy and community building. I plan to attend graduate school to earn a Master's Library and Information Science and a Public Policy PhD. My partner and I are using our combined education and work experience to start a public-private partnership to expand library, legal, and tax services in low-income areas and resource deserts in the East Las Vegas area. With the impact of the business, we hope to influence future city planning and policy to improve the resources available to some of the most under-served neighborhoods of the valley. 

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 I lost a lot of peers, mentors, and overall support when I decided to change my academic and career trajectory. Lots of people believed I would never graduate or that I was just being lazy. Losing my entire support-system drove me into a deep depression, and more than just my academic success was at stake for many years. However, I found a handful of people I could trust, and overtime that grew to many more. I managed to publish my own thesis paper, earn financial grants and scholarships, recover my GPA to graduate with Honors College and Lambda Pi Eta distinction, and a Great Academic Works Certificate. I also volunteered, took on leadership roles, and made contributions to multiple student organizations and student service departments around campus. 

My Advice

If you want to do it, it is worth it. There is no easy path, but there are more challenging ones, and it's okay to try things out and find out what will work best for you. The nontraditional path is just as valid as any other, and there are people who will happily cheer you on and help you along the way. Don't be afraid to try, and don't be afraid to ask for help. 

 My Story

 The minute I stepped into my first Social Work class, I knew I had made the right choice for my next profession. I took advantage of all and any programs the university offered, especially the Writing Center. If it were a free event, I would take advantage of it to network and make friends. Making connections with peers from other majors made me aware of many programs. I am so excited to be graduating.  

 My Plan

 I plan to use my degree to advance the awareness of the many barriers that first responders and veterans face in gaining access to mental health. I also plan to pursue a non-traditional role in Social Work and enter into policy to make change for the greater population. I want to help uplift our most vulnerable residents and use my platform to elevate their stories.  

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 The class hours were the most challenging. UNLV, though a commuter school, lacks the creativity to cater to non-traditional students. Being able to differentiate between  'life experience" vs " academic knowledge".  

My Advice

 Do not conform! Use your voice not only to elevate your needs but also to help shape the experiences of the students who will follow behind you. Do not feel guilty for advocating for yourself or your peers. And above all, enjoy the college experience! YOU BELONG HERE! 

 My Story

Learning to navigate my college experience has been a challenge since I'm so much older than many other students, but I did it!  I started out with just Sociology, but then added anthropology for a double major. 

 My Plan

I really am unsure how I will use my degree at this time but I figure my higher power, God, knows what I will do .

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 Confronting old teaching methods were frustrating but I learned how to communicate what I needed.

My ANTS Experience

 I'm grateful I was embraced and welcomed by NTS  

My Advice

 You are never too old to be who you were intended to be" I did it one step at a time and now I'll be graduating this December, I'll be 70 years old in January"

My Story

 My college journey has been a long time coming. I first attended college right after high school, but life took a different turn when I wanted to change majors, and my enrollment fell through the cracks. After a difficult conversation with my father at the time, I made the decision to move out at 20 years old and begin life on my own. For many years, I put my education on hold, but the desire to finish what I started never went away. In 2020, I made the decision to return to school—this time for me. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program with a clear purpose and a renewed sense of determination. Since then, I have worked full time, navigated two pregnancies, and cared for two young children—all while maintaining my studies and never taking a semester off. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. Personally, I’ve grown stronger, more disciplined, and more resilient than I ever thought possible. I’ve learned how to balance motherhood, a career, and academics—often all in the same day. I’ve had to develop time management, perseverance, and a strong sense of self-motivation. Every assignment, discussion post, and exam has been another step toward a goal that I once thought was out of reach. 

My Plan

 I plan to use my Healthcare Administration degree to advance my career and open doors to leadership roles within the healthcare industry. I’m proud to be setting an example for my children—that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. This degree represents financial stability, professional growth, and a brighter future for my family. It also represents personal fulfillment—proof that it’s never too late to finish what you started and achieve something meaningful. 

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 As a nontraditional student, I faced many obstacles balancing school, work, and motherhood. During my time at UNLV, I worked full time, carried the mental load of being a wife and mom, and had two babies—one in 2021 and one in 2024. There were many long nights, financial stress, and moments where I questioned how I’d get it all done. But I never gave up or took a semester off. My greatest triumph was proving to myself that I could do this—no matter how challenging life got. I maintained strong grades (earning all A’s except one) while raising two children and managing everything else life threw my way. My biggest accomplishment is simply finishing. I am proud that I stayed committed for five straight years and earned this degree for myself and my family. It represents strength, growth, and perseverance through some of the hardest years of my life. 

My Advice

 As a nontraditional student, I faced many obstacles balancing school, work, and motherhood. During my time at UNLV, I worked full time, carried the mental load of being a wife and mom, and had two babies—one in 2021 and one in 2024. There were many long nights, financial stress, and moments where I questioned how I’d get it all done. But I never gave up or took a semester off. My greatest triumph was proving to myself that I could do this—no matter how challenging life got. I maintained strong grades (earning all A’s except one) while raising two children and managing everything else life threw my way. My biggest accomplishment is simply finishing. I am proud that I stayed committed for five straight years and earned this degree for myself and my family. It represents strength, growth, and perseverance through some of the hardest years of my life. 

My Plan

 I plan to use it to pursue my dream of law school, so I can become an immigration attorney. 

My Obstacles/Triumphs

 My biggest obstacles were working full-time, being a mom of two wonderful athletes, and pursuing my dream. There were many sleepless nights but I am here, getting ready to graduate. My greatest accomplishment is showing my children that even though I was a teen mom, at the age of 16 the sky is the limit! 

My ANTS Experience

 It was a wonderful experience getting to be on the board and meeting other individuals with my same struggles. Being part of ANTS helped me open up and become more involved in school.  

My Advice

 Do it because it is never too late to pursue your dream.