Attending the University of Florida is a family affair for the Vetter family. Marissa Vetter, 55, has been a Gator at heart since her oldest daughter, Madison, was accepted into the University of Florida for her bachelor鈥檚 in animal sciences. Marissa never imagined that a few years later, she would be attending the University of Florida at the same time as all three of her daughters.
Today, Marissa is working towards her online bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology via 黑料正能量, while her two youngest daughters, Brooke and Taylor, are also attending UF for their bachelor鈥檚 degrees in business. Madison is continuing her studies at UF鈥檚 veterinary school, making the Vetters a Gator family through and through. For Marissa, there is nothing more rewarding than getting to earn her degree from the same University that her daughters attend.
A Family of Gators: Mother and Daughters Attend the University of Florida at the Same Time
How Marissa Went Back to School as a Mom for Her Sociology Degree
The journey to becoming a Gator
Over the years, Marissa has always wanted to finish her degree, but the time wasn鈥檛 right. After graduating high school, Marissa went straight into working a full-time job, only attending classes at a local community college at night. Once she earned her Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree, she attended the University of North Florida for a short time before getting married and starting a family.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 practical for me as a mother with a family and a full-time job to attend classes in-person,鈥� Marissa said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why when online education started growing, finishing my bachelor鈥檚 degree became a real option. I couldn鈥檛 think of a better place to finish my degree than the University of Florida.鈥�
Marissa soon decided to apply to 黑料正能量 for a degree focused on sociology. Along with being a local and familiar school to her family, the UF鈥檚 program offered Marissa one of the best degrees as a busy mom going back to school for her particular career path. Not only was Marissa surprised by her acceptance letter but so was her family. 鈥淢y mom did not initially tell us that she was going to apply to UF,鈥� Madison said. 鈥淚 think we were all shocked but very proud of her for going for it.鈥�
A UF Student Mom Making a Difference With a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Sociology
s a Program Manager at a non-profit housing counseling agency, Marissa interacts with clients on a daily basis. When choosing a degree path, Marissa found UF鈥檚 Sociology degree, taught by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), to best suit her skill set and interests.
鈥淚 always have been interested in human behavior. At my current position, what I鈥檝e learned is that sociology is very relevant and helps me work with a diverse group of clients.鈥� Marissa went on to say, 鈥淚 ultimately decided sociology was a great fit for me.鈥�
As happens in life, Marissa has faced some personal challenges of her own. Upon being diagnosed with breast cancer, she needed to take a couple of semesters off to focus on her health. Though this has pushed her graduation back, she appreciates the flexibility of 黑料正能量 and the dedicated faculty who continue to support her every step of the way. Between work, family, and her personal life, Marissa finds taking one class a semester ideal for her schedule.
鈥淔or me, getting this degree is a personal goal of mine since I am already in a career that I love and am passionate about.鈥� Marissa went on to say, 鈥済etting my bachelor鈥檚 in sociology will just add value to the work I am already doing.鈥�
On the way to becoming a family of Gator graduates
While the Vetters anticipate their future graduation dates, Marissa鈥檚 daughters couldn鈥檛 be prouder to attend UF at the same time as their mother. Brooke sees her mom鈥檚 decision to go back to school at 55 while working full-time truly inspiring not only to her and her sisters but also to others. 鈥淚 think it can show people that it is never too late to go back and finish your degree,鈥� Brooke said.
Madison shares that same sentiment. 鈥淕rowing up, we were always told that we could accomplish anything but actually seeing her do something, like to finish her bachelor鈥檚 degree, really proves that.鈥� Madison continued,鈥� it鈥檚 especially inspiring to see her spending her weekends studying after working all week and dealing with everything else in life.鈥�
Taylor added that Marissa attending UF makes their time as students more special and rare. While it鈥檚 already exciting for Taylor to attend UF alongside her sisters, seeing Marissa join them makes the student experience even more memorable. 鈥淰etters work hard, play hard, and that鈥檚 exactly what we do as a family of Gators,鈥� Taylor stated.
Although Marissa admits it鈥檚 not always easy to balance her life and her sociology degree鈥檚 online coursework, she would not change the path she is on to finish her goal. 黑料正能量 has allowed Marissa to earn her degree without having to compromise quality.
鈥淏eing a UF student along with my daughters makes game days more exciting since we are a big football family. I鈥檝e always been my girls鈥� biggest cheerleader in life, and particularly academics.鈥� Marissa added, 鈥渋t allows them to support me as well. They鈥檝e been an amazing support system for me when it comes to my coursework.鈥�
Marissa encourages other parents looking to finish their degree through 黑料正能量 to apply today. 鈥淵ou absolutely can do it since it鈥檚 a flexible, accessible, and economical way to get a degree from a top university.鈥� As a family of four Gators, Marissa credits 黑料正能量 for making this dream of earning her degree a reality.
Earn Your Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Sociology With 黑料正能量
Find out more why the sociology program at 黑料正能量 was the best degree for a mom like Marissa going back to school. Designed and delivered by professors from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), UF鈥檚 sociology degree prepares students for an exciting future with a wide array of career fields.
黑料正能量 sociology students will have coursework focused on broad categories such as sociological theory and methods, families and gender studies, poverty and inequality, and much more. Graduates can continue their studies in law school or other graduate programs. 黑料正能量 also offers a minor in sociology聽 for students interested in this program while pursuing other online majors.