A family that gets degrees together, succeeds together!
A Mississippi father, son, and daughter all graduated from college together with their master’s degrees, Fox 5 NY News reports.
27-year-old Iesha Gully is a second-grade inclusion teacher who decided to pursue her master’s degree in the fall of 2020. What she didn’t expect was that her father, 45-year-old Commondre Cole, and younger brother, 25-year-old Ja’Coby would join her at Mississippi State University-Meridian the following semester. The two are also in education, Commondre working as a health teacher at Northwest Middle School and son Ja’Coby serving as a physical education teacher at Oakland Heights Elementary. Iesha credits her mother with encouraging them all to return to school.
“Well, my mom [Jessica], she’s really like the push behind all of us,” Iesha told reporters.
The trio leaned on each other while navigating their studies, even turning their time into a little friendly competition.
“We were taking like some of the same classes. So we were studying together, trying to get ready for mid-terms and final exams…so it was a blessing at the end of the day,” said Iesha.
“Family is everything. You always got to have someone watching your back, keep on you,” Ja’Coby added.
Recently, they all graduated together, earning their individual master’s degrees in education. Commondre said he can’t get enough of reliving the moment, watching the video of the ceremony repeatedly.
“I love to go watch the video. I was first, Cole was second, and Iesha came in third behind us. That was a special moment,” said Commondre.
They hope to inspire others who hear about their story, really looking to set the example for their family members to earn college degrees as well, while motivating other families to strive for excellence in education.
Commondre’s advice…“Strive big, and keep going.”
Congratulations, family!
Photo Courtesy of Lisa Sollie/-Mississippi State University-Meridian/Associated Press