When someone decides to return to college, having a strong support system can make all the difference. For Columbia Southern University alumna Kelly Harraka, returning to school alongside family members created a uniquely motivating experience.
Kelly graduated with a 4.0 GPA in August 2025, earning her master’s degree in business administration. Her mother Darcey and brother, Nick, are also pursuing their MBAs with CSU, with the anticipated graduation date of March 2026.
“My mom had a dream to get her master’s, and then she started a family and had to put that on hold,” Kelly said. “When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I talked to her about how I wanted to get my master’s. She shared with me for the first time that she had always wanted to get her master’s too, and I had no idea.”
All three family members work full time, making flexibility a key factor in choosing a university. After researching online options, Kelly discovered CSU and began discussing the possibility of enrolling together.
“I brought it up to my brother because he was talking about wanting to get his [degree] and then I brought it up to my mom,” Kelly said. “Between my brother and I, we were able to convince our mom to go back to school with us, where we would all be getting our MBAs together.”
Beginning a New Chapter Together
The Harrakas began their academic journey together in March 2024, providing one another with accountability and encouragement along the way. Kelly and Darcey often took the same classes, which allowed them to share reminders about assignments and dedicate Sundays to studying.
“I could go to my mom and say, ‘Did you finish your homework? It’s due Tuesday…’” Kelly said. “It was really cool to see her being able to do it and being excited about learning in a way that wasn’t just with her career. It was like going back and getting an education for herself because she had been so selfless in raising us and supporting the family.”
Before returning to school, Kelly was unsure if pursuing another degree would ever be possible. Experiencing the journey alongside her family made the leap feel attainable and meaningful.
“I wasn’t sure if I would ever have the chance to return to school, but alongside my mom, I was able to take that leap,” she said. “This shared journey not only strengthened our bond but also gave us the tools to elevate our careers and pursue new opportunities with confidence. Our achievement is a reminder that it is never too late to chase your dreams, and that the support of someone who believes in you can make all the difference.”
Applying Newfound Knowledge
Kelly works as a digital marketing and events specialist at Verified First, a background check and drug screening company. Darcey serves as the director of national accounts for Monster Brewing Company. While their roles differ, they frequently exchange insights from their coursework and professional experiences.
“Her job is very different from mine, and she would tell me how she’s applying her education in ways that I wasn’t, and then I could take that and put it into my own career, so it was really cool to see an outside perspective,” Kelly explained.
When Kelly completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration, she worked in a different field, making it difficult to apply some coursework immediately. Pursuing her MBA while actively working in marketing allowed her to see the relevance of each class in real-world situations.
“Through my program at CSU, I gained valuable benefits both personally and professionally,” she said. “I was able to immediately apply the concepts I learned to my current job, which enhanced my performance and the impact I could make in my role.”
Gaining Professional Growth
Earning an MBA has opened new opportunities for Kelly and strengthened her confidence as a professional.
“The program has deepened my understanding of complex business and marketing strategies, enabling me to approach challenges with a more analytical and strategic mindset,” she said.
“The program also allowed me to expand my knowledge in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, giving me a stronger understanding of how these technologies can be leveraged in business and marketing. This combination of practical application and forward-looking knowledge has strengthened my skills and prepared me for future opportunities.”
A Family Celebration
The Harraka family plans to celebrate their graduations with a party that reflects on their shared accomplishments. The milestone represents not only individual success but also the rare experience of a family navigating graduate school together.
“[Nick] is getting his MBA, but he’s going more of the sales route, so we’re all in different avenues,” Kelly said. “We’re all stemming from the same degrees, so it’s cool to see we all have the same kind of knowledge base while using it in different ways, and we talk about it a lot together.”
The Harrakas’ story highlights the idea that earning a degree is possible at any stage of life. With encouragement and accountability, especially from family, the journey can be even more impactful.
“Taking this journey alongside my mom has made it incredibly meaningful, and I’d really like to highlight her in this article,” Kelly said. “She once gave up her dream of pursuing her master’s degree to work full time and start a family, putting others before herself. Now, together, we have pushed each other to new heights in our education, both earning our master’s degrees in business.”
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
