Mega Doctor News
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS – Graduating from South Texas College is a testament to lifelong learning and the value of perseverance, according to Jan and Ava Graham.
The mother and daughter duo, who traveled from Central Texas to attend STC’s commencement ceremony on Dec. 15, received their bachelor’s degree in Medical Health Services Management (MHSM) entirely online.
The Grahams said they also utilized competency-based education (CBE) courses at STC, which gave them the flexibility to complete their degrees while balancing their busy lives.
“We really enjoyed STC and the options it gave us to succeed online,” Jan said. “We did the competency-based education model where we could use the skills we already had and turn them into college credit, so we completed classes in seven weeks instead of the usual 16 weeks. It was a great fit for us, especially with everything else going on in our lives.”
Graduating from STC was a particularly special moment for Jan, who spent years as a stay-at-home mother and homeschool educator.
Now ready to fulfill a personal dream of receiving her education after devoting herself to her children, Jan said the next step in her academic journey may lead her to exploring law in the near future.
“I had started college years ago, but stopped to raise my family,” she said. “I homeschooled Ava all the way through high school, so she was already used to online classes but for me this was something new as well as something special that I wanted to pursue and finish.”
Ava, who started taking college-level classes at 15 shared her excitement about immediately putting her degree to use. Her brother, an optometrist, plans to open his own practice and she will help manage the business side, while setting her sights set on a master’s degree in Health Care Administration.
“This degree aligns perfectly with what I’ll be doing. We’re looking at our education as a way to support the family business,” Ava said. “But even as I move forward in life, I know I’ll never stop pursuing some kind of education. I’ve always believed that learning is a lifetime endeavor.”
Reflecting on her experiences at STC, Jan said students should consider online learning, particularly if they are struggling to balance work and other commitments.
“Life should always be about learning, particularly those balancing work or other commitments. Don’t discount online classes,” Jan said. “Whether it’s to further your education or gain new knowledge, just take a chance and do it. If you need flexibility, the services that STC offers are a game changer.”
For more information on CBE programs at STC, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/cbe/.
