STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Brittany Miller’s graduation cap is ready. It has “I almost gave up but remembered who was watching,” emblazoned on it, and her two children will be looking on as she crosses the stage at Tarleton State University’s commencement May 10.
“My kids will be decked out in purple with my parents cheering me on,” she said. “I have dreamed about it for a while, and sharing that moment with them will be one of the greatest moments of my life.”
Miller is graduating as a Tarleton State Online student with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an achievement that required persistence after several years of starts and stops.
“Life comes with many ups and downs,” Miller said. “I had a couple of moves for various jobs, went through some failed relationships and had two children. I would not have made it without my support system with family and friends at home.”
Miller lives in Silver City, about two hours east of Stephenville, and works as a paraprofessional at Dawson High School, the same school she attended from kindergarten to graduation in 2012. She headed to Tarleton State as a freshman, but life distractions drew her home the next year.
“While at home, I attempted online learning with another college and tried in-person classes again, but it felt different than before. I knew I needed to finish my goal of graduating from Tarleton. It was not working at other schools because I was disappointed in myself for not continuing my education previously.”
She said her two children, three-year-old Brantley and a one-year-old Harper, were the deciding factor in continuing her education.
“I could never find the motivation to keep going,” said Miller. “During my last break from school I had my two children, and they influenced me to get back to school so I could better our lives.”
She had heard about Tarleton State’s online programs from her freshman roommate, who had taken both in-person and online classes, so she decided to give it a try. Tarleton State Online’s flexible program allowed Miller to work school around life.
“With my hectic work schedule and two kids, Tarleton State Online’s manageability has dramatically helped me,” said Miller. “Even when the kids and I got sick, I could message a professor, and they could make accommodations for me. Choosing when and where to do my classes is very convenient for raising children and is probably why I am so close to graduation.”
Miller said she plans to pursue her teaching certificate and become a high school math instructor.
Would she recommend Tarleton State Online to others? Definitely.
“It has been a fantastic experience for me. All my professors were so helpful. Every time I reached out, I got a quick and valuable response. The coursework was manageable. Everything was laid out for you to understand.
“I would only be where I am with Tarleton State Online.”
Tarleton State University’s online option offers more than 20 undergraduate completion programs and 22 graduate degrees, all designed for ultimate flexibility and affordability to empower busy adults, working professionals and lifelong learners to unlock their potential.
In addition, 10 unique professional completion degrees allow students to convert experience into credit by recognizing the value of existing knowledge gained through professional training, certifications and technical coursework, accelerating their degree path.
To learn more about Tarleton State Online, visit https://www.tarleton.edu/online/.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.