Law Center News
Mother-Daughter Duo Achieve a Lifelong Dream…Together
Graduation is a time of celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. For Southern University Law Center (SULC) student Jessica Fuqua and her mother Andrea Scott Fuqua, this year’s commencement ceremony is more than a milestone; it’s the culmination of a journey filled with determination, faith, and mutual support.
Having completed the challenging journey to earn her Juris Doctor, Jessica is standing proudly beside her mother who is receiving her bachelor’s degree -fulfilling a dream, decades in the making.
“I always wanted to complete my degree but never did,” said Andrea. “In 2022, my daughter Jessica went online and applied for me to reenroll at Tennessee State University for the upcoming fall semester. The rest is history.”
Returning to college after years away came with its challenges, but Andrea embraced the experience with an open heart and steadfast resolve. “It was hard, but also exciting and fun,” said Andrea. “My experience was great, the professors were awesome, and I really enjoyed the interactions with the younger students.”
For Jessica, witnessing her mother’s journey has been as inspiring as her own accomplishments.
“It’s such an honor to be graduating with my mom,” she says. “She’s always instilled in me the importance of education and working hard toward my goals.”
Jessica reflects on how the pandemic became a transformative period for both her and her mother, providing a rare opportunity for many to pause and reflect deeply on their lives. During this time, she recalls her mother frequently expressing a strong desire to return to school.
Their academic journeys often intertwined, creating moments of mutual support and connection.
“I’ll miss working on case briefs with her on the phone while she was working on her own papers and assignments,” Jessica admits. “She helped me get through one of the most difficult degrees I’ve ever pursued. Though she has her own degree to be proud of, this JD is hers too.”
As they prepare to walk across the stage, the Fuqua’s reflect on their unique paths to this shared moment. For both, commencement symbolizes not just the culmination of years of hard work but the power of love and support in achieving one’s dreams.
Their story is a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a goal and that education, no matter when or how it’s achieved, is a lifelong gift.
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