A family affair: Parents, daughter seek college education together
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shavonne Richardson, 21, never thought she'd be starting her freshman year of college with her parents.
But to the amazement of University of Phoenix officials, higher education is now a family affair for the Alpharetta family.
Don and Lisa Richardson and their daughter Shavonne all enrolled this fall on the Alpharetta campus, beginning work on four-year degrees in business management.
Don, a computer software executive, got the higher education bandwagon rolling for his family when he attended the University of Phoenix's open house last month.
"I walked him around and explained about the flexibility of the program that allows students to take courses online, or attend land classes one night a week, or a combination of both," said enrollment counselor Judy Gentry.
"He said, 'OK, let's do it. My wife will also be signed up by midnight.' Lisa did so online, jumping on the opportunity that fit with her busy family, work and church volunteer schedule. "I thought he was kidding," said Gentry, who was even more impressed when Shavonne, a 2001 graduate of Roswell High, enrolled along with them.
The family spends four hours every Tuesday night in class at the campus on Windward Concourse. Then they have homework to do, papers to complete and study groups to meet with, Gentry said.
Their first class together last month was an elective, General 101, a required introductory course that reorients students to academic life and learning skills.
For Don, 48, a software sales executive, the gap between formal education years was about 30 years. He completed a two-year certification program in computer science in a dual enrollment program with his high school on Long Island, N.Y., and Wilson Technological Center.
He quickly landed a job as a computer programmer and married Lisa soon after she graduated from high school, and they began a family of three children. Since moving to Alpharetta in 1992, the family has become deeply involved in Bible education work of their church, Jehovah's Witnesses Alpharetta Kingdom Hall.
As the years rolled by, raising kids, working and volunteering for their church ruled out college for Lisa and Don, but they hoped their children would go.
It was a chance Lisa never thought she'd have. "I always thought about going to college, but I never saw how I could," said the data analyst for a mental health insurance company. She was frustrated when she re-entered the work force after her children got older, working a variety of jobs but seemingly stuck at lower-paying positions. "Every job I had I learned quickly, but couldn't advance because I didn't have the proper education."
Lisa's company, Magellan Behavioral Health, allows for financial assistance and tuition reimbursement that will cover the bulk of the $435-per-credit-hour tuition. The five-week-long courses carry three credits; 120 credits are needed for graduation, said Shane Clem, who directs the University of Phoenix's Georgia operations.
Clem said the Robinsons are testament that it's never too late. "A lot of adults want to go back to college for themselves and to set a role model for their children."
Shavonne said she expects there will be some family study time and friendly competition to see who can get the highest grades.
She and her dad share one reservation: math. "It's never been a good subject for me," she said.
Dad agrees. "I'm dreading it."
But tackling algebra as a family should make it easier.