Last May, Tasha McMillion walked the stage at Huston-Tillotson University, earning her BA in psychology and basking in the joy of an accomplishment many years in the making. As sole caregiver to her son, Miles, and a full-time City employee, Tasha was as surprised as anyone by her journey from Free Minds to a four-year degree.

After completing Free Minds in 2013, Tasha's spark to learn was re-lit, and she continued taking classes at ACC toward a degree in creative writing.

Prior to completing her associate's in 2015, Tasha saw a flyer on campus touting the chance to transfer to Huston-Tillotson University. Although she felt "ready to sit down" by that point, she called the number on the flyer. Tasha was amazed to find that all of her credits would transfer.

Once enrolled at HT, Tasha joined a cohort of other adult students taking a new core psychology class each five weeks. The fast-paced nature of the program felt overwhelming at times. "I was so nervous about starting a bachelor's program, because I was standing somewhere I hadn't stood before," Tasha remembered.

For Tasha's day-to-day life, earning a degree has meant a promotion and pay increase at her job. It has had less tangible results too--the assurance that she can rise to meet great challenges. 

Asked about her advice for other adult students, Tasha reflected, "Not everybody will be supportive. Some will say, your life is not about you, it's about your child. You have to block out people telling you you can't do it." She added, "My college experience affected Miles's life dramatically. Now it makes him want to get his education as well."