Working Mother Becomes First-Generation Graduate at USCA

For Angela Hayden, earning a college degree was never just about checking a box. It was about proving something to herself, to her family, and most importantly, to her son.

On May 6, Hayden will graduate from USCA with a degree in communications through Palmetto College, an online program offered through USC System schools, marking the culmination of a journey defined by resilience, sacrifice and determination. Her path to this moment, however, was anything but traditional.

“I had already been successful in my corporate career,” Hayden said. “But after I had my son, I was like, I must finish this. I must show him that you always finish what you start, no matter how hard it is.”

That motivation carried her through years of balancing a full-time career, frequent travel

Her decision to pursue her degree wasn’t easy. At times, it felt nearly impossible.

“There’s always that voice in the back of your mind that says you’re too old, that you missed your chance,” she said. “But I finally decided, I’m just going to go for it. And if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”

Hayden becomes emotional reflecting on the weight of that decision and the challenges she faced along the way. There were moments, she admitted, when exhaustion and self-doubt nearly pushed her to quit.

“There were nights when I thought, ‘I can’t do this. I’m too tired. I’m overwhelmed,’” she said, pausing as she fought back tears. “But you keep going, because it matters.”

What made the difference, she said, was support, especially from her son.

“I’d be downstairs late at night working, and he’d come down and ask, ‘Mom, do you need anything?’” she said. “He didn’t feel like I was taking away from him.He was my biggest champion.”

In many ways, the journey became something they shared. Hayden smiled as she recalled how her son, now a teenager, even helped her with assignments during her final semesters.

“You can’t replace those moments,” she said. “He got to see it firsthand, that his mom didn’t give up. And now he knows he can do it, too.”

The timing of it all feels almost poetic. Hayden will walk across the stage just two weeks before her son graduates high school.

“I was like, I did it. I actually did it,” she said.

Her accomplishment carries even greater meaning as she becomes the first in her immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree as a non-traditional student.

“That feels big,” she said. “My family has been so supportive. They’ve been cheering me on every step of the way.”

Hayden credits the flexibility and structure of USCA’s online program for making her success possible. As a working professional who frequently travels, the ability to complete coursework online allowed her to stay committed without sacrificing her career or family.

“At first, I was hesitant,” she admitted. “I wondered if it would just be a ‘check-the-box’ degree. But it was so much more than that. It pushed me to be better, not just as a student, but as a person.”

She also found unexpected strength in the sense of community fostered by the program.

“It wasn’t just the professors; it was the people,” she said. “Even online, we supported each other. We shared notes, encouraged one another. You weren’t doing it alone.”

That support extended to faculty, including Dr. Jason Munsell, an associate professor and department chair of Communication and Emerging Media at USCA. Hayden described him as a transformative influence on her academic experience.

“He challenges you to think differently,” she said. “Not just about communication, but about how you see the world and how you present yourself in it.”

Munsell said he admires Hayden’s diligence and intelligence, noting, “I was especially impressed by how she approached her capstone project. As a Palmetto College student working full time, she completed a professional project focused on launching a Continuous Improvement Program for her employer. She effectively applied the communication strategies and data-driven decision-making skills she developed through our program.”

Despite the challenges, Hayden didn’t just complete her degree — she excelled. When she learned she would graduate with honors, the moment was overwhelming.

“I was at work when I got the email, and I just started crying,” she said. “I had to step out into the hallway and just take it in. It wasn’t just that I graduated, it was that I gave it everything I had.”

Now, as she prepares for spring commencement, Hayden is focused on what comes next, continuing to grow in her career and supporting her son as he begins his own college journey.

For others who may be considering going back to school, her message is simple, and heartfelt.

“Do it,” she said, her voice again catching emotion. “Don’t listen to the voice that says you can’t. The only person holding you back is you.”

She paused before adding one final thought:

“You’re not too old. It’s not too late. You can have it all, you just have to believe that you can.”

Go Back More News