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Middle Georgia State University Alumni Breaks Barriers as First-Generation Graduate


When Tyisha L. Harrison first enrolled in college in 2001 to pursue her psychology degree, she was a single mother working full-time for a manufacturing company in Detroit, Michigan. Harrison realized that to achieve her educational goals, she needed to be strategic with her finances to pay her tuition and feed her family. 

“I decided to go to college because I wanted more out of life than just a job,” she said

“I wanted a career that I could go to every day and feel blessed and fulfilled. The only way I could meet that goal was with a college degree. My parents both taught me about hard work, but neither had graduated from college,” said Harrison. She would later go on to make history in her family as a first-generation college graduate.

Wanting More From Life

When Tyisha L. Harrison first enrolled in college in 2001 to pursue her psychology degree, she was a single mother working full-time for a manufacturing company in Detroit, Michigan. Harrison realized that to achieve her educational goals, she needed to be strategic with her finances to pay her tuition and feed her family.

 “I decided to go to college because I wanted more out of life than just a job,” she said. “I wanted a career that I could go to every day and feel blessed and fulfilled. The only way I could meet that goal was with a college degree. My parents both taught me about hard work, but neither had graduated from college,” said Harrison. 

She would later go on to make history in her family as a first-generation college graduate.

Driven to Help by Own Hardships

Harrison experienced many hardships, violence, and trauma in her youth and teenage years while also lacking the emotional support needed from adults, educators, and counselors. “I believe that everyone needs someone to listen to them sometimes,” said Harrison. These troubling experiences led her to pursue a career in counseling where she sought to be of service to others who share similar backgrounds. 

“I want to help those that suffer alone and in silence due to the shame and stigma attached to these topics,” said Harrison. 

Ultimately, she desires to be a vessel of support for individuals fighting illnesses, pain, and trauma to children and adults.

Tuition Affordability as a Decision-Factor

Harrison remained in school for five years before taking a break from her studies after needing a fresh start. She and her children relocated to Georgia, where she later married her best friend Carlton and gave birth to two additional children. In 2012, after her children were a little older, Harrison felt compelled to go back to school, but this time at Middle Georgia State University (MGA). 

Selecting MGA was initially an easy decision for her because of the affordability. However, when she and her family relocated to Florida, it became evident that MGA was the best option for her education because she could take fully online courses in her major and eCore classes. Harrison was also able to balance her studies and be a stay-at-home mom through college with her husband and community's support.

Mom as Educational Role Model

As an adult learner, she was determined to complete her degree so that her children would understand that it’s never too late to start pursuing your dreams regardless of the obstacles that were before her. She has three young children in elementary, middle, and high school.

“My oldest is in nursing school currently working on the front lines with Covid patients, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Harisson. “Education is so important, especially as an African American woman; my kids must understand how important it is to have knowledge because no one can take that away from you,” said Harrison. 
Today, she remains avid about preparing her children for post-secondary education by homeschooling her children while her two middle and high school children take dual-enrollment classes.

Perseverance Through Health Concerns

In school, she was a member of the MGA Psychology Club, Black Student Union, and the Federal Trio program, an outreach and student services program that assists students from various backgrounds with grant aid and resources. 

“My college degree from MGA helped me further my steps to becoming a licensed counselor instead of serving as an active listening journal for people,” she said. “I have been engaging in the form of counseling all of my life, but I’ll continue to call myself a journal until I have my actual license.” Harrison realizes that the work she is doing now will impact many's lives and mental health across the world. Her journey to earning her degree has come with several challenges, including having had two brain aneurysms and brain surgery after Mother’s Day in 2019. 

She also beat Covid-19 in March of 2020. 

“I told myself God has a purpose for me,” said Harrison. God is the key to everything in my life because he puts me in the right place at the right time. He guides my moves and allows me to cross paths with just the right people to help me move forward in my pursuit of counseling. The quote that has motivated me through my life, especially during school, is the “Serenity Prayer.” 

Nevertheless, Harrison kept the faith and believed that good things were going to come. Since graduating with her undergraduate degree, Harrison has accepted a full-time position as a mental/behavioral health technician. She has also returned to school and is currently in a dual Master’s program for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling with a specialization in Addiction and Trauma & Crisis Counseling and is on track to graduate in 2023.

Degree: B.S. in Psychology

Home Institution: Middle Georgia State University

Graduation Year: 2020

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USG eCampus is a service unit of the University System of Georgia that partners with USG institutions to provide quality, affordable, high-demand, post-secondary online degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond.
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By Mia Fanning. Media Contact:
Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu

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