Nedra H. remembers sitting down for her first day of classes at North Carolina Central University and feeling nervous. About to turn 60, she worried she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the rigors of attaining a bachelor’s degree.
But on that first day, her instructor told her something that put her mind at ease and gave her the confidence she needed – ‘there’s nothing wrong with being a lifelong learner.’
“When she said that, I was just like, ‘Wow,’” said Hobbs, who graduated in December 2024 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from NCCU. The youngest of 12 growing up, Hobbs is the first of her siblings to earn a college degree. “I’m a first-generation college student, and I never dreamed of having a BSN. Never.”
“I’m a first-generation college student, and I never dreamed of having a BSN. Never.”
Nedra is one of hundreds of adult learners who chose to continue their education by enrolling in Flight Path programs across the University of North Carolina System. Developed by Project Kitty Hawk, a nonprofit affiliated with the UNC System, in collaboration with the institutions offering them, these programs ensure that working adults can successfully balance their education with life, family, and career commitments.
Nontraditional learners – defined as students typically aged 25 and up – require a different suite of education services than students taking courses in an on-campus, traditional setting. Working adults are often juggling coursework with their career and family obligations. Many also started college before, but were forced to drop out because, well, life happened.
Hobbs falls into that category. Her whole adult life, she worked to put her children in a position to succeed and attain their own educational goals – which they did. With her support, several of her children have earned their master’s degrees. After years of sacrificing for her children, they became her biggest cheerleaders.
“They’ve always tried to encourage me, ‘Mommy, go back!’ But you know, I’ll be 60 years old so I would say, ‘Ah, I’m too old to be returning to school,’” she said. “But something told me I should go for it – why not?”
Hobbs is a nurse specializing in wound care, helping patients recover from surgery and guiding them along their path to recovery. After graduating with her BSN, she said she will now have more pathways to advance her career. She’s interested in going into management to be able to mentor young nurses and craft policy to help the patients she cares so deeply about.
Hobbs said she has recommended NCCU’s RN to BSN program to her coworkers and encouraged other nurses to apply.
“The sky is the limit,” she said when asked for what advice she would give to students just starting the program. “Reach for the stars.”
