Matt M.
Communication Degree Program, Strategic Communication and Public Relations
"I never believed I’d earn a degree. I didn’t do well in high school and thought I wasn’t college material. Then, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, I decided to sign up for an online class to alleviate my boredom. Five years later, I’m in my final semester at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts and a certificate of achievement. The most challenging part of this journey was doing it alone as a single parent. In 2022, my wife walked out on us. I was devastated. I thought there was no way I could raise my two children—who were 3 and 1 at the time—completely alone. I was already a full-time employee and now a full-time single parent, so I was certain my education didn’t fit into the picture anymore. As I prepared to drop out of my classes, however, I decided instead to give it some time and see what I was capable of achieving. A year later, I walked across the stage at a community college and received summa cum laude honors. I realized that my kids would one day hear the story of these difficult years, and I didn’t want it to be a story of defeat and shame. I wanted my kids to see that—even in the face of adversity—they could accomplish anything they put their minds to. Knowing that they were in the crowd watching me walk that stage was the greatest feeling in the world. Without the help of the very supportive UMSL staff and the team at Triton Student Parent Success, I doubt I could have made it through this time and get my degree too. I’m so thankful for their commitment to the success of student parents like me. I don’t know what the future has in store for me, but now I can’t wait to find out!"
