Tamika: Mother. Wife. Role-Model. BMS Graduate.
There are moments in life when the culmination of hard work and unwavering perseverance take center stage, and graduation day is one such moment. The journey to the graduation stage is not often straightforward. Such was the case for Tamika, who recently earned her Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) degree.
Tamika's academic path began in the traditional manner, enrolling at UNO following her graduation from Northwest High School. With her newfound independence, however, her choices led to academic struggles and, ultimately, academic dismissal from the university.
But Tamika was undeterred by this setback and was determined to obtain a college education. While working at Boystown, Nebraska Children’s Home Society, and Omaha Public Schools, she made several attempts to complete her degree. Her enrollment at a local university was interrupted after a year, as life’s responsibilities and challenges moved to the forefront of her priorities.
In 2009, Tamika welcomed her daughter, Amaiya, into the world, and with it, the immense joy of motherhood. Yet, this celebration was also tempered by her grandmother’s diagnosis with throat cancer. Tamika, along with her mother and two aunts, became primary caregivers until her grandmother’s passing in 2022. This same year, Amaiya turned 13 – events that renewed Tamika’s long-held aspiration of earning her degree.
In the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS), Tamika found a supportive environment and a degree program that recognized her previous credits. The DCS team worked closely with her to ensure her success. "When I made the decision to join UNO's Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies program, it was truly a turning point for me," Tamika reflects. "I discovered an incredibly supportive environment where they not only acknowledged my previous credits but also went the extra mile to ensure my success.” She is also grateful for the faculty who helped her overcome her fear, stating, “It's remarkable how I was able to conquer my long-standing math anxiety in a class that challenged me to face my fears head-on. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my amazing math instructor, Becky Brusky, for her unwavering support and guidance. She helped me overcome a significant hurdle that had plagued me for far too long."
Like many, 2020 was a year fraught with emotion. Balancing a full-time job, raising her daughter, continuing her studies online in the midst of a global pandemic was not without challenges. She credits her husband, whom she wed at the height of the pandemic, and her mother for their unwavering support. Her family’s encouragement strengthened her resolve to complete her degree.
New degree in hand, Tamika has embarked on a new chapter in her professional life and is enthusiastic about her newfound career at the Mutual of Omaha.
"As I reflect on my last week of school, there's this one moment that truly captures the essence why I kept going," Tamika recalls. "My daughter came up to me and said, 'Mom, I am really proud of you.' Those words of affirmation are why I persevered all along." When her daughter embarks on her own college journey, Tamika will be ready to pay forward the support and encouragement she received.