糖心logo入口

鈥孉fter a fifteen-year hiatus, Tricia Breton of New Bedford returned to UMass Dartmouth on a mission. Newly divorced, she knew earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree was 鈥渢he way to a promising future鈥� for herself and her two young children.

A double major in English and Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies, Tricia had to sacrifice in order to succeed.

鈥淟ife had knocked me down, and I wasn鈥檛 sure I could get back up. I was relearning how to hold my head high, but it was a slow process,鈥� Tricia said. 鈥淭he biggest sacrifice we made was time. I turned off my social calendar and devoted every spare moment to either my schoolwork or my kids.鈥�

Transformative power of education

Her first class provided Tricia with her first lesson: 鈥淚ntro to Rhetoric required a final presentation. I definitely couldn鈥檛 stand in front of a classroom and present my work. I wasn鈥檛 ready; I wasn鈥檛 confident. So I put a new item on my bucket list: find my confidence.鈥�

Over the next few semesters, Tricia found that self-confidence.

鈥淢y English classes taught me that I had something unique to say. I just needed to know how to communicate effectively. I developed amazing skills to help me communicate my thoughts and ideas. I transformed from a quiet, scared woman to a woman who refuses to be silenced. To me, that鈥檚 the power of education.鈥�

Internship developing an e-newsletter

Tricia鈥檚 transformation was recognized by College of Arts & Sciences Dean Jeannette Riley. She offered Tricia an internship: to develop a newsletter for the college which would highlight faculty and student achievements.

The initial weeks of the project were challenging, as Tricia鈥檚 first drafts came back 鈥渄enied, rejected, and refused.鈥�

鈥淚 pushed on. The chaos calmed, and the process started to run smoother. I connected with the Publications and Web Development departments. They learned to trust me, and I learned to trust them. Together, we鈥檝e published five e-newsletters; there is one more to go before graduation.鈥�

Next steps: Graduate study and a non-profit organization

Tricia will pursue her master鈥檚 degree in UMass Dartmouth鈥檚 Professional Writing program this fall. The writing and communication skills she鈥檒l develop will help her achieve her dream.

鈥淢y life experiences and my second major in Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies have ignited a passion to study the connection between women, welfare, and education. My research focuses on the role that education plays in the lives of low income, single mothers.鈥�

鈥淢y long-term goal is to create an organization鈥擲econd Chance鈥攖hat encourages and funds education for low-income, single mothers. I believe everyone deserves their second chance.鈥�

Reflections and advice

鈥淚 got my second chance at UMass Dartmouth with top-notch professors,鈥� Tricia said.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e devoted countless hours getting to know me, meeting with me, and working with me. I鈥檝e always been 鈥榯hat student鈥� standing at the door, waiting for office hours to begin. But they never turned me away. Their job was to lead, and they鈥檝e led me right to graduation. 鈥�

Tricia鈥檚 advice to future students echoes her own path to success: 鈥淒on鈥檛 run away from defeat. Don鈥檛 hide from failure. Embrace them. Because on your worst day, you'll find the best opportunities."  

I transformed from a quiet, scared woman to a woman who refuses to be silenced. To me, that's the power of education.