Like many moms, Saida Luciana-Ross, of Waterbury, often places her children's goals ahead of her own.
But in May, this mother of three added a new title to her resume: College graduate, Thanks to the online degree program at Post University.
She said it wasn't easy because it had been 26 years since she'd been a student.
"There was a lot of fear in that because, back when I when did start, nothing was online. The Internet didn't even exist", she said.
Frank Mulgrew, president of Online Education at Post, said Saida's story is pretty typical.
"They have full-time careers, they have full-time families to take care of," Mulgrew said. "The majority of them are women."
The online education model is growing and Mulgrew said hundreds of programs exist and more universities are getting into the business every month.
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Post's major competitive advantage is its brick and mortar campus in Waterbury, which many students use as a resource.
"Full time faculty are engaged with students, improving learning, figuring out better ways to deliver our education," Mulgrew said.
Post has increased its staff from 20 to nearly 200 in the past few years, including Saida, the new associate administrator for the university's accelerated degree program.
Saida's most proud that she's become an educational role model for her children. Her daughter received her bachelor's degree from the University of New Haven in May as well.
But Saida said her educational journey isn't over just yet.
"I still want to go forward, I'm looking to take advantage of Post's master's program. It's full steam ahead," she said.
