At 61, Paula Morgan, of Holbrook, MA, earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Degree, demonstrating for her family and friends the power of perseverance and a willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone.
She began her higher education journey 42 years prior, however, life had other plans. She married a wonderful man, with whom she shared 38 years of love and partnership, and together they raised two amazing daughters. For the last 18 years, she dedicated herself to a career as a paraprofessional at a local middle-high school, a role that she loved.
Despite the fulfillment she found in her personal and professional life, she never forgot the promise she made to herself: to return to college. Decades later, with the unwavering support of her family and friends, she joined the community at Mount Wachusett Community College. The institution not only provided her with academic knowledge but also gently nudged her out of her comfort zone, guiding and assisting her along the way.
“Mount Wachusett Community College pushed me out of my comfort zone or, should I say, gently nudged me with their guidance and assistance in completing my first degree at the age of 61,” Morgan says. “I am not your typical undergraduate. I am not the typical age, not the typical student, and I certainly did not take the typical amount of time to complete this degree.”
“On this journey, with MWCC’s support,” she continued, “I have also learned it doesn’t matter how old you are, how many classes you take or how long it might take to complete your degree, your timeline is exactly that; your timeline, your comfort zone is your comfort zone.”
Throughout her time at MWCC, she embraced the challenge of stepping beyond her comfort zone. She learned that true growth and discovery lie in testing one’s abilities and determination.
Her story is a testament to the belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams. She demonstrated that age is just a number, and the timeline to achieve one’s goals is unique to everyone. Her journey was a dance through life’s challenges, always pushing boundaries and stepping beyond the familiar.