Ambler Campus, Temple University

“In the beginning, I started as a non-matriculated student because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with a degree — my goal was just to complete it. I didn’t start college right out of high school; I went to a trade school for computers and then worked in temporary positions,” said Scott, 30, of Philadelphia. “I was working as a temp at Temple University Ambler and they decided to keep me — I was hired in December 1997 — which was a blessing.”

Scott, who has been the campus Data Coordinator for 10 years, said she began classes right after she started working at Ambler.

“I was about 19 or 20 then. First I started looking at a sociology degree, then a business degree. I started with Management Information Systems, but that was only offered during the day at the Main Campus — Human Resource Management seemed like the best fit,” she said. “I had it all worked out, a five-year plan to have my degree by the time I was 25.”

Of course, to borrow from John Lennon, life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

Scott was blessed with her son Naji, now 7, and facing life as a single mom with a full-time job and a degree to complete. Personal and family struggles also seemed determined to set up road blocks in her pursuit of her degree. Then there was the simple logistics of completing an undergraduate degree while maintaining a full-time position. And five years soon became 10.

“I started with one course at a time but with the help of the Financial Aid office, I was able to start taking two courses each semester and then began taking summer courses — two each summer session,” she said. “I was basically completing one semester a year and with 123 credits to finish, that takes some time.”

Raising her son while going to classes and working each day was a simple process at first, Scott said, but it didn’t stay that way for long.

“My mother had a daycare at home, which was wonderful at the time, but as Naji got older and was going to school himself, there was a lot of time that I was away from him. He began acting out at school and acting out at home and there were people, family members, that were saying I shouldn’t spend this time away from him — it was heartbreaking,” she said. “In my mind, I wondered ‘how would I help him achieve his goals in life if I didn’t complete college, if I didn’t give him that example?’ I prided myself on persevering because I knew it would help him and myself in the long run.”

Persistence pays off. There is now light at the end of Scott’s 10-year tunnel. On Thursday, May 17, she will walk in Temple University’s 120th Commencement Ceremony and receive the bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management that she has fought so hard for.

“I’m still processing it — mentally, it was worth it. I can’t stop smiling,” Scott laughed, smile firmly in place. “When I walk down that aisle, the people that are most important to me will be there. My son will be there!”

Scott said support for her quest for a degree has not always been strong at home, which only made her resolve stronger.

“My mother never went to college and didn’t motivate me to go to college either. Growing up, I’d hear that I’d never amount to anything, which only strengthened my will to prove them wrong,” she said. “I dealt with abusive relationships, I dealt with depression, but I never gave up. I got everything in my life together and I broke the cycle.”

Scott said there was often a voice in her head telling her it was all too difficult; that completing the degree, spending time away from Naji, and working full-time simply wasn’t worth it; that it would be better to give up. It was Naji, however, that helped give her the strength to persevere.

“Naji’s middle name is Nuri — together is means ‘strong survivor of the fire’ in Arabic. God gave me this light and blessed me with my son, a reason to be motivated and move on and not just focus on myself,” she said. “While others might not have seen or understood my reasons or goals, I knew that I was here for a reason. God never gave up on me and I was never going to give up on myself.”

Being a non-traditional student in courses that often attracted traditional-aged students proved helpful in helping Scott achieve her educational goals, she added.

“I know that many adult students have this fear that they will be an outsider, that they won’t be accepted or won’t fit in. No matter the age, the other students are here for the same reason you are,” she said. “Particularly in the Fox School (of Business) all of the core courses are the same for each major so you get to know each other, learn from each other, and help each other — you talk to them just like you’d talk to anyone else. You become friends and you become a team, working toward the same goal.”

The faculty, Scott said, were also quite understanding of her situation.

“If a family issue ever came up, they were very accommodating,” she said. “Most of the faculty have families themselves. They understood and were willing to help.”

Scott also had a release whenever things got a little too overwhelming.

“I loved the arts and I loved dancing. I was involved in competitions with a neighborhood color guard and danced for 17 years with Philadanco,” she said. “With everything going on, it was a release — that was my chance to be away from everything. I still do a little praise dancing at church and I’ve done a few things at weddings, fashion shows, and family reunions, but now it’s just for fun.”

With degree in hand, Scott shows no signs of stopping.

“I’ve always been interested in the training aspect of human relations — I want to help others in similar situations,” she said.

Scott is also looking forward to graduate school and taking her educational career to the next level.

“With what I’ve been able to accomplish, I don’t want to stop now. For others who are thinking about returning to school, just put your mind to it and do it regardless of the time it takes — don’t ever give up,” she said. “No matter what doubts you might have about yourself or your education, in the long run, it will benefit you and benefit your family. It truly is a wonderful accomplishment."