Sharon, like many students, had to navigate the often tricky process of applying for and securing financial aid, which is where Graduate Memphis stepped in to assist. One of GM’s obligations to their students is to help them fill out the FAFSA, locate scholarship resources, and have a better understanding of financial aid before they begin classes. In fact, Sharon says the most difficult part of her journey thus far was waiting on financial aid to come through. She also cites being a single parent of 10-year old daughter and an 8-year old son as an obstacle she had to overcome in deciding to apply to school.

In Tennessee, those students who successfully complete an Associate’s degree at a community college will be automatically accepted into many of the state’s public universities. Sharon is planning on taking advantage of this opportunity upon graduating from Southwest.

Sharon has lived in Memphis most of her life. She enjoys the Memphis music, the parks, going to the zoo, and all of the historical areas. She also likes to cook and spend time with her children. Come this fall, it looks like she’ll be adding studying to the list! Good luck on your journey, Sharon!

Otha Farris, who is currently enrolled in Bethel University, shares a story similar to that of many other adult learners. “I had planned for years to go back to school, but life got in the way,” he says. After getting married and having a child, he opted to focus on work so that he could support his family. Last year he finally decided to pursue his dream.

Though he hasn’t declared a major, Otha is currently taking classes that will lead to a degree in Conflict Resolution. His ultimate goal, he says, is to open his own business, a Christian-based mediation service. He says one of the most fulfilling things about his return is the satisfaction of knowing that this time, he won’t leave school until he has obtained a degree. He’s also excited about his 4.0 GPA. And he isn’t the only one! His 14-year old daughter, Jada, has decided that when school begins for her next week, they’ll concentrate on maintaining their A averages together.

Speaking of Jada, Otha lists raising her as his biggest hobby. He credits her with reviving his interest in reading books. He focuses most on church, school, and raising his daughter. Juggling a family and a return to school has not, however, been without its challenges. “The biggest challenge that I have faced as an adult learner has been learning how to learn,” he explained. “When for years, learning has been job-related and on a ‘need to know’ basis, it has been challenging to focus and learn how to learn something that is not job-related.”

After years of putting his return to school on the back burner, Otha is confident in his ability this time around and when asked what will be going through his head as he accepts his diploma, he responds, “Glory to God!” With the support of his daughter and family and a circle of Facebook friends, he will finally earn his degree. “Finally, a dream deferred has come true!”

Eugenia “Jeannie” Price

Graduate Memphis exists as a free service to Memphis-area adults who seek to go to and complete college or another type of post-secondary education program. It launched in 2012 with the hopes that it would help many of the some 200,000 Memphis adults who began college and never finished. Adult learners face a unique set of circumstances as they return to school as many of them are juggling families, jobs, and other responsibilities. As GM approaches its 3-year anniversary, they’re excited to introduce Eugenia “Jeannie” Price, a May 2015 graduate of the University of Memphis!

Jeannie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. She came to the U of M with just 24 credit hours between her and a college degree! Like many adult students, Jeannie worked full-time while also attending classes. She’s the office manager and patient relations coordinator for the Methodist University Transplant Institute and her long days at work meant even less time to earn her diploma. Another obstacle that faced Jeannie was the financial burden of tuition. Thankfully, her employer helped her to graduate without owing any student loans.  “Because completing my degree was so important to me, I gave up weekends, some of my summer, and renewed my relationship with caffeine for a while.  It was worth it,” Jeannie remarked. As one of three daughters of educators, she was thankful that her mother could watch her graduate. “Several people said my dad was dancing in heaven that day!” she added.

Jeannie acknowledges Graduate Memphis as a program that lent her courage to return to school. “From my initial call to schedule an appointment to the meetings I attended in the beginning of my journey, the support and encouragement was incredible.” Now that she has graduated, she’s hoping to continue her education at graduate school and one day serve as a specialty line administrator or practice administrator at Methodist. A self-proclaimed foodie, her ambitions do not end at education: she also aspires to eat at every restaurant (including food trucks!) in the Memphis area. When asked what the first word to cross her mind was upon receiving her diploma, Jeannie replies, “Hallelujah!”

Graduate Memphis is generously funded by the Plough Foundation and their College Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. To learn more, visit graduatememphis.org or call (901) 415 – 2774.