Mother, daughter celebrate completing online graduate degrees together at May commencement
Kim Chaudoin |
Christina Martin had spent much of her adult life focused on her family — raising children, supporting her husband through military deployments and putting her own educational goals on hold.
Years later, she not only returned to college, she did so alongside her oldest daughter, Caleigh. On Saturday, the mother-daughter duo from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, celebrated their latest shared milestone as both received graduate degrees from Lipscomb University.
Christina earned a Master of Professional Studies in leadership, while Caleigh received a Master of Science in organizational leadership. The moment capped a journey that has seen them complete both undergraduate and graduate programs together. It is also one they completed through Lipscomb’s online program.
For both women, the shared experience has transformed their education into something far more meaningful than earning diplomas.
“It is hard to put into words,” Christina said. “It is emotional in the best way. She continues to amaze me every day, and being able to walk through this milestone side by side with my daughter is something I will always cherish.”
Their parallel path through higher education began years ago when Christina, who had long put her educational aspirations on hold while raising her family, decided it was time to pursue a degree.
“As a stay-at-home mother throughout my adult life, and my husband being gone a lot with the military, my focus was always on my family,” Christina said. “Eventually, I realized that continuing my education was not only possible but also important for my personal growth and long-term goals.”
Christina earned her undergraduate degree in business management from Lipscomb in 2024. She said the flexibility of Lipscomb’s online programs made returning to school feasible amid the demands of family life, entrepreneurship and military family responsibilities.
“I am extremely grateful for the flexibility of the Lipscomb online program,” she said. “Through deployments, family responsibilities and life’s unexpected moments, the support and understanding I received made a lasting impact on my journey.”
Christina now runs her family’s farm and homestead business while serving as a stay-at-home mother to her three younger children. She said her graduate studies have strengthened her leadership skills and equipped her with practical tools to help grow the family business.
At the same time Christina was pursuing her academic goals, Caleigh was forging her own path at Lipscomb. After completing her undergraduate degree in organizational leadership, with a concentration in communication and a minor in entertainment management, in 2024, she continued at Lipscomb for graduate school.
“I completed my undergraduate degree at Lipscomb and really appreciated the structure of the classes and the flexibility of the online format,” Caleigh said. “That experience made it an easy decision to continue there for my master’s degree.”
Now working as a nanny while also helping on the family’s microfarm, Caleigh plans to join the U.S. Navy in the near future. She said her graduate studies have increased her confidence and prepared her for the opportunities ahead.
But the most meaningful part of her Lipscomb experience, she said, has been sharing it with her mother.
“It has been such a blessing,” Caleigh said. “Starting my college journey alongside my mom, completing our undergraduate degrees together, and even walking across the stage just before her at graduation is something I will always cherish.”
“Being able to watch her accomplish something so meaningful while doing it alongside her has been incredibly special,” she continued. “She truly is my best friend, and I cannot imagine going through this experience with anyone else.”
For Christina, seeing her oldest daughter reach this milestone while standing beside her makes the moment even sweeter.
“I am so proud of her — she is an amazing young woman inside and out,” said Christina. “Having had her at 19, she has witnessed many of the challenges along the way. Seeing her achieve something so significant, alongside me, is truly special.”
For Caleigh, the day was one she will never forget.
“It feels amazing — truly like such a blessing,” said Caleigh. “Being able to walk across that stage together and celebrate this accomplishment side by side is something I will never forget.”
— Pictures courtesy of Christina Martin