Since 2018, I’ve been a behind-the-scenes contributor to Mercer University’s commencement season. As a digital content specialist in the marketing communications office, I am involved in making graduation social media content, writing Den stories highlighting grads, and preparing the commencement program.
But this year, I am adding a new hat — quite literally — as I don a cap and gown as part of the Class of 2026 on our Atlanta campus. I will walk across the stage as a Master of Business Administration graduate, almost exactly 20 years after celebrating the completion of my bachelor’s degree in journalism at West Virginia University.
I tip my cap to all of the Mercerians graduating this weekend! Your achievement is nothing short of amazing, and you should be incredibly proud of this milestone. Going to college is a tremendous challenge and commitment at any age, but I want to take a moment to highlight the working adult students who wear a great many hats of their own and have reached that sparkling graduation finish line.
Like me, there were probably times you doubted yourself or that life circumstances threatened to derail your plans. But here you are, a Mercer graduate with mountains of hard work in your rear-view mirror and nothing but bright possibilities ahead.
I spent the first chapter of my career working at newspapers, serving as a copy editor and page designer for several years before transitioning to reporter roles. When I joined the team at Mercer, I was able to not only continue my love for storytelling but take it in new directions as I highlighted amazing Mercerians.
For many years, the idea of expanding my knowledge through a master’s degree had lingered in the back of my mind. However, there was always an obstacle that held me back … money, time, location, family responsibilities. But while writing stories about impressive graduates and publishing social media posts during the 2023 commencement season, something hit me differently.
For years, I had been inspired by the actions and achievements of Mercer students, professors, staff members and alumni while writing my articles. (So if I ever interviewed you for a story, you played a part in my decision to continue my education.) I knew that by taking classes at an institution like Mercer, I would be supported and encouraged in my endeavors and surrounded by Mercerians determined to make a difference in the world.
I also realized there was never going to be a perfect time to go back to school, so why not now, especially with Mercer’s employee tuition support program? A few weeks after our 2023 commencement ceremonies had wrapped, I applied and was accepted to the School of Business’ online MBA program, and I began my first course in August.
Reflecting back on my first and second go at college, the differences are astounding. I entered WVU as a naive but bright-eyed 18-year-old seeking to gain journalism skills, independence and real-world experience. The degree was a means to find my place in the working world, make a wage, and have a good life.
This time around, I wasn’t pursuing my degree because I felt I had to … I was doing it because I wanted to. I wanted to challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and bring new skills and knowledge to my career. My journalism degree was not without its challenges, but I was honing strengths and talents that I already possessed. Conversely, the Master of Business Administration program meant confronting subjects that I was not good at and that did not come naturally to me — especially math. And let me tell you, a lot more math was involved in the MBA program than I anticipated.
Another difference was my approach. In undergrad, I shied away from seeking my professors’ help, procrastinated at times, and usually struggled along on my own. With a full-time job and a family, I didn’t have any time to waste when it came to my MBA assignments. Evenings and weekends were when my classwork had to happen, so efficiency and productivity were essential.
I’ll admit I let my anxiety get the best of me on multiple occasions, but I eventually realized that sometimes I was going to have to settle for “good enough” instead of “perfect” because college was not my primary responsibility. However, I was quick to contact my professors when I had questions or when concepts were beyond my grasp, and I found that each one was eager to help me.
During the first week of my first accounting course, I dropped into Dr. Merve Acar’s virtual office hours with a mix of fear, panic and bewilderment in my eyes. But with her encouragement, I stayed the course, and she patiently and kindly addressed my plethora of weekly questions and concerns. When I later took my second accounting class with her, I didn’t have to contact her nearly as much, which made me proud and hopefully made her a little proud too.
This is just one example of the many amazing professors that encouraged me during my MBA journey and contributed to my success, and it’s also a testament to how smaller student-teacher ratios can make a world of a difference.
Earning my MBA was undoubtedly one of the hardest things I’ve tackled in my life, but that fact has made the end result that much sweeter. And now that I’ve accomplished this, I feel like there’s nothing that I can’t do as long as I try my hardest and believe in myself.
Thank you to my family and friends who encouraged me every step of the way, listened to my whining, and wouldn’t let me abandon my goal. And to all the people who cheered on a Mercer graduate, your kind words and actions meant more to your graduate than you realize.
So Class of 2026, go out into the world and continue to “Be the Bear!” That diploma isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a doorway to opportunity and a reminder that you have what it takes to make your dreams come true.
