Mother, daughter graduate from Co-Lin

May 16, 2018- Photo & copy by Scarlett Hart

Graduation is always a special time of year for parents and children. To Christy Shelby and her daughter Kelsey Sewell, it was “extra special” as they both were among the nearly 500 Co-Lin students receiving degrees and certificates during Spring commencement exercises held on the college’s three campuses May 9-11.

Sewell graduated from the Respiratory Technology Program on the Natchez Campus, while Shelby received her associate’s degree through the Complete2Compete (C2C) program on the Wesson Campus.

“Coming back and finishing my degree is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Shelby. “But it’s extra special that Kelsey and I graduated together.”

As a single mom, Shelby put her degree on hold years ago while raising her two children.

“Once I got both of them through high school and into college, they started encouraging me to get back in school and finish my degree,” said Shelby.

 Shelby, a sales manager at a hotel, plans to use her degree to advance within the company. She credits the C2C program and Co-Lin’s C2C Coach Lea Ann Knight for making finishing her degree possible. Though she was initially worried about the demands of school while working full-time, she says it was easy with Knight’s help.

“Anytime I needed help with registering for classes, financial aid, transcripts or anything, she was there to help,” said Shelby.

Sewell says she is proud of her mother for finishing her degree.

“It’s pretty special,” said Sewell of graduating with her mother.

CUTLINE: Kelsey Sewell (left) and mother Christy Shelby both received their associate’s degree during Co-Lin’s Spring 2018 Commencement exercises.