MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Molly Mihm and her mom, Tammy, are the epitome of what it means to be True Blue. They’re learners. They’re engaged in the life of Middle Tennessee State University’s community. They’re Blue Raiders. And they’re a mother-daughter duo who walked across Murphy Center’s stage together to earn their degrees on Saturday, Aug. 9.

After Molly received her master’s degree in higher education administration and supervision through the College of Education, her mom walked across the stage shortly after earning her bachelor’s in healthcare administration through University College, which prides itself on helping adult learners fulfill their advanced education goals.

As a nontraditional student and full-time state of Tennessee employee, Tammy began her college journey just before her daughter completed her bachelor’s degree. The two never imagined they would also one day graduate together.

“It just kind of worked out that way,” Molly explained. “I was supposed to graduate a little bit earlier, but I took a full-time position on campus, so it delayed graduation a little bit, and then it turned out we would graduate at the same time because of that.”

Tammy said she has always regretted not getting her college degree, but it was a different time and way of life when she graduated from high school than it is today.

“In that day and time, college just wasn’t as talked about as it is now; it wasn’t automatically expected that you would get a college degree after high school,” she said. “I wasn’t a great student then. I always laugh and tell people I’m a late bloomer, but I wouldn’t have done as well in college then as I have now.”

As Tammy began her college journey, she benefited from the Tennessee Reconnect program, “an initiative to help more adults return to higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.”

“I benefited from two years of Tennessee Reconnect,” she said. “And I have two people who work for me in my full-time role who have also decided to join me in school (thanks to Tennessee Reconnect). Molly actually assisted each of us in getting started on our path.”

She also took advantage of MTSU’s University College’s Prior Learning Assessment, which gave her college credit for the years she had worked in her field.

Watch Molly and Tammy Mihm’s segment on “MTSU Local on 2,” which airs on WKRN-TV’s “Local on 2.”

‘Molly inspired me to do this’

After getting through her first semester of college, which included algebra and stats classes, Tammy said she knew she had to see it through.

“I knew I had to stay committed. I work from home… I would roll right into night classes or homework after working all day. I would get questioned by other people on ‘why would you do this to yourself?’ and my answer was that I can and have always wanted to earn my degree.”  

She continued, “Molly inspired me to do this. Seeing her love for school and education has fueled my desire to meet a lifelong goal. (Not having a college degree) is something I’ve always regretted.”  

Molly said she couldn’t be prouder of her mom, calling her one of her best friends.

“We were always super close when I was growing up,” Molly said. “I know she’s always been proud of me, and I’m always proud of her, but this is an accomplishment we get to do together. I know how much hard work she’s put into it. Seeing her walk across the stage is exciting, but being able to do that right alongside her will be even more exciting.”

Growing up in the Murfreesboro area, Molly said that attending MTSU was an obvious choice. After earning two degrees from the university, she’s also a full-time employee in the Admissions Office, where she works as a tour and events coordinator.

“MTSU, it’s my home, you know? It’s something I love. I love walking down the sidewalk, seeing people I may or may not know, and helping answer their questions about MTSU. It’s a home away from home for me,” she said. I know it’s rare for people to love what they do, but I do. I am so blessed that I do, and I get to work with students. MTSU really opened a lot of doors for me.”

After graduation, Tammy plans to continue in her role as the director of compliance oversight for the state’s TennCare division. She said a master’s degree may be in her future at some point. Molly will continue her work in MTSU’s Admissions Office, but she plans to get her doctorate eventually and hopes to become a vice president of student affairs in higher education later in life.

As Lorelai and Rory Gilmore said more than once in the now-syndicated early to mid-2000s television show “Gilmore Girls,” “It’s a mother-daughter thing.” And graduating together, that’s a True Blue thing for Tammy and Molly Mihm.

For more information on University College, visit https://university-college.mtsu.edu/.

To learn more about the Tennessee Reconnect program, visit https://tnreconnect.gov/.

—       DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)