Graduate Spotlight: A Mother-Daughter Duo Who Proved It’s Never Too Late to Grow Together

When Ashante and Keanche made the decision to pursue their graduate degrees, they didn’t expect to cross the finish line at the same time. But what began as two individual academic journeys became something far more powerful: a shared story of perseverance, faith, and family. Ashante earned her Master of Health Administration (MHA) through LSU Shreveport, and her daughter Keanche completed the online Master of Social Work (MSW) through LSU. Both women balanced demanding jobs and family responsibilities while leaning on each other every step of the way. 

Learn more about their beautiful journey with LSU Online! 

Meet Ashante: Online MHA, LSU Shreveport 

What initially made you apply to the online LSUS MHA program? 
What initially made me apply to the online LSUS MHA program was having the opportunity to further my education in healthcare, without having to leave the comfort of my home. 

How did you balance life, work, and studies? 
I was able to balance life, work, and studies easily because I worked remotely, but it was a challenge at times. It took time management, organization, and much motivation. Also, the professionalism of the professors helped with balancing my load, especially my studies, which in turn balanced life and work. 

How did the program prepare you for your career advancement? 
The program prepared me for my career advancement by putting me in real life situations through special projects. This enabled me to think creatively, provide operational and strategic leadership skills, that will prepare me to work alongside C-suite executives and other healthcare leaders. 

What did you appreciate most about the faculty and support services? 
What I appreciated most about the faculty was that they were professional, prompt, prepared, and subject matter experts. They were there to support you if you needed, but just like the real world you had to work for your education. This is a tough world, and healthcare is an important industry, as we are responsible for people’s lives. The university wants to produce nothing but the best, and with the knowledgeable faculty and support services, the best was produced. 

What was your favorite aspect of the program? 
My favorite aspect of the program was the ability to take classes in the order that I saw fit. 

What was it like going through the program at the same time as your daughter? 
Going through my graduate program at the same time and same university as my daughter was rewarding to say the least. It marks a significant milestone in her life, that I am so very proud of, but to complete it together, is something I’ll never forget. It speaks volumes without mentioning the journey. Goals, prayers, and accomplishments have been, and still are being met! 

How has this impacted your relationship? 
This experience has impacted our relationship in an astonishing way. It has allowed me to see my daughter as a young woman, whom I am proud of. She is in a position that I was once in, a young mother making sacrifices for her children. I have much respect for her. It has allowed me to see her strengths and her weaknesses, and how to reach out and respond when she needs help. Yes, I reached out to her as a classmate—she never had to. It was mainly for technical support, as I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree over 17 years ago, and I am not as tech savvy as she is. 

What message do you hope your story sends to other parents or families? 
The message that I hope my story sends to other parents or families is that it is NEVER too late! 

If you could describe your journey in one word or phrase, what would it be? 
“Perseverance pays off!” 

Can you share a success story related to your career? 
A success story related to my career was one of improved medication adherence. A physician who I frequently coordinated care with came up with an idea for my team who I managed to find out why a group of chronically ill children were not taking their medications, which was evidenced by their increased viral loads. We met the kids where they were by coming up with a pilot program where we checked in daily via FaceTime to ensure they were in fact taking the medications. We found out that stigma played a part in most of the population’s decisions to take meds at the prescribed times (when they were at school). Through counseling and support we were able to resolve their individual issues, along with changing the times in which they took their meds. The pilot was a success, and viral loads decreased. 

Meet Keanche: Online MSW, LSU 

What initially made you apply to the online LSU MSW? 
I initially applied to the online LSU MSW program because I needed a flexible yet reputable option that would allow me to balance my responsibilities as a mother of two, a fiancée, and a full-time child welfare case manager. I’ve always been passionate about helping others and growing in my field, but I needed a program that could fit into my busy life while still helping me reach my professional goals. LSU Online offered the support, flexibility, and quality education I was looking for. 

What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 
One of my biggest challenges was simply finding the time and energy to get my schoolwork done. Between working full-time in child welfare, being a hands-on mother of two, and managing household responsibilities, there were many nights I stayed up late to study, even when I felt like I had no gas left in the tank. I overcame it by reminding myself why I started this journey in the first place—to build a better future for my family and grow in my career. I leaned on time management, discipline, and a lot of inner strength to keep going, even on the hard days. 

How has the program impacted your personal and professional life? 
The program has had a major impact on both my personal and professional life. Personally, it showed me just how strong and capable I am—balancing school, work, and family wasn’t easy, but it gave me confidence and a deeper sense of purpose. Professionally, it sharpened my skills, broadened my knowledge, and helped me become a more effective and informed child welfare worker. I’m able to apply what I’ve learned directly to my job, and it’s made me more compassionate, strategic, and prepared to take on greater responsibility in the field. 

What advice would you give to prospective students considering the program? 
My advice to prospective students is to stay focused, stay organized, and remember your “why.” The LSU Online MSW program is challenging, especially if you're juggling work and family, but it’s doable with determination and time management. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean on your support system, and give yourself grace on the hard days. The growth you’ll experience—both personally and professionally—is worth every late night and early morning. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this program will prepare you to do just that. 

Can you share a success story related to your career? 
One of my proudest success stories in my career happened during my time in the program. I was working on a difficult child welfare case that had been open for a long time with very little progress. Using some of the new skills and approaches I learned through my MSW coursework—especially around trauma-informed care and family engagement—I was able to build stronger trust with the family, connect them to the right resources, and eventually help them reunify safely. It was a reminder of why I chose this path, and how education can directly impact real lives. 

What skills or knowledge from the program have been most valuable in your job? 
The most valuable skills I’ve gained from the program are advanced communication, trauma-informed care, and critical thinking. In child welfare, you’re constantly navigating complex situations, and the program really helped me understand how to approach families with empathy while still making sound, ethical decisions. I also learned how to assess situations more holistically, connect clients to resources more effectively, and advocate for systemic change—all of which have made me more confident and competent in my role. 

Reflections from Mother & Daughter 

What was it like going through your degree programs at the same time, and both through LSU Online? 
It was an incredible and unique experience. We were both navigating the challenges of graduate school while working full-time, and doing it together gave us a built-in support system. Even though we attended different campuses—LSU and LSUS—it still felt like we were on the same team. We understood each other’s late nights, stress before deadlines, and small victories along the way. It made the process feel less isolating and more empowering. 

How has this shared experience impacted your relationship? Did you ever turn to each other for advice or encouragement like classmates might? 
Absolutely. It brought us even closer. We became each other’s accountability partners, cheerleaders, and sounding boards. When one of us felt overwhelmed, the other would remind us why we started. We exchanged tips on time management, shared study breaks over the phone and celebrated every milestone—big or small—together. It turned our relationship into something even deeper than mother and daughter; we were also classmates, colleagues, and co-dreamers. 

What message do you hope your story sends to other parents or families considering going back to school while working full-time? 
We hope our story proves that it’s never too late and you’re never too busy to invest in yourself. Education can feel like a distant dream when life is already full, but with determination and support, it’s possible—and incredibly rewarding. Our journey shows that not only can you achieve your goals, but you can inspire those around you to chase theirs too. Doing it together as a family made it even more meaningful. 

If you could describe your journey together in one word or phrase, what would it be and why? 
Unbreakable! Because no matter how hard it got, we pushed through side by side. Our journey was full of long nights, early mornings, and moments of doubt, but we never gave up on each other—or ourselves. It showed us just how strong we are individually and how we’re even stronger together. 

Start Your Journey with LSU Online 

Whether you’re looking to start a new career, expand your impact, or fulfill a lifelong dream, LSU Online provides access to accessible, high-quality programs designed to meet you where you are.  

Explore the Master of Health Administration from LSUS or the Master of Social Work from LSU, both fully online and designed to support working adults like Ashante and Keanche.