Non-Traditional Students Making College a Family Tradition

“We didn’t plan to graduate at the same time. It just worked out that way,” said Candis, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and earned her degree while working full-time. “We’ve always been there for each other.”

After graduation, Candis is poised to make an even greater impact, as she prepares to pursue her MBA at Duquesne’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business this fall. As an honorary member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association Honor Society, Candis's dedication to excellence has been recognized by her peers and mentors alike.

Alysia will receive her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with a bigger goal in front of her – becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon.

Alysia, 31, worked at UPMC Children’s Hospital in administrative positions for several years after graduating high school. She eventually moved on to a well-paying job for a corporation, but said she wasn’t satisfied.

“I knew I needed more,” she said. “My mind kept taking me back to the pediatric plastic surgeons I saw working at Children’s. I knew that surgery was what I really wanted to do.”

So in the fall of 2020, during a global pandemic and with two young children, Alysia began her studies at Duquesne.

Enter family.

“My husband Brian has been a big supporter,” she said. “He really took on most of the home duties—packing lunches, getting the kids to bed, making sure we had what we needed—all while running his own business. He’s our backbone.”

Alysia notes that support also came from Duquesne, in the form of academic scholarships and help from faculty and administrators.

“One time during COVID, I was taking a chemistry exam at home and my kids started knocking on the door,” she recalled. “I had to leave the exam to get them back to their rooms, and then email my professor to explain what happened. She was very understanding. Also, (Assistant Dean) Phillip Palmer has supported my family from day one and even checks in on my husband.”

Candis is a force to be reckoned with, seamlessly weaving her administrative prowess with a passion for communication development and philanthropy. With a background in coordinating scholarship events through the POISE Foundation, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black communities nationwide since 1980, she has always felt like an asset to her peers.

Encouraged by Alysia, Candis, 38, saw an opportunity to expand her horizons and build on her extensive administrative experience.

"I had a lot of business experience where I’m multi-tasking, coordinating events and helping to solve problems. It felt like it was time to sharpen my skills."

Her journey led her to enroll at the Community College of Allegheny County before transferring to Duquesne in 2022. Despite balancing a full-time job, Candis was amazed by how the faculty at Duquesne embraced her, even in the online learning environment.

"Professor Sarah Deluliis worked with me to make the course more relevant to my needs as a business communicator," Candis said. "She made me feel confident in my skills."

Her classes with Professor Janie Fritz, although conducted online, also fostered a sense of community. "Even though my classes with Professor Fritz were online, I always felt part of the community,” she said. “She would even take time after class to talk with me and answer questions."

Reflecting on her time at Duquesne, Alysia said her on-campus experiences, both in class and Duquesne’s labs, provided her with numerous opportunities to expand her skills.

“In (Professor) John Pollock’s lab, I was able to gain research experience and gain confidence in working on projects independently. I have also been exposed to grant writing and was able to hone my presentation skills,” she said.

“The experience in the Pollock lab has paved the way for me to participate in amazing internships at other universities, where I gained hands-on experience and learned a variety of unique techniques I hope to use for my own research one day,” Alysia said. “I am also extremely grateful to (Professor) Kasey Christopher who was so supportive – I could go to her with any question, and she would always seem to have an answer.”

Beyond their Duquesne experiences, the impact of their educational journeys on their families may be even more impressive. Encouraged by Alysia and Candis, two other sisters are now attending college. Thanks to their exposure to Duquesne’s campus, Alysia’s children both want to pursue higher education.

“My children have been with me on A-Walk, they’ve joined me in class and seen me doing lab work. We are helping them grow and starting a new generation of learners in our family.”

Alysia’s efforts go beyond her family. To help make the transition to college easier for future Duquesne students, she created the first Non-Traditional Student Organization on campus.

“For non-traditional students, entering college can be a little overwhelming at first,” she said. “This group is designed to provide support, guidance and community for those charting unique paths.” 

After graduating from Duquesne, Alysia will pursue a Master's in Biomedical Sciences at another local university.

This family affair ended happily on commencement day with two non-traditional students prepared to pursue their bigger goals. And maybe there will be some #futureDuquesneDukes in the family as well.