Two paths, one moment: Mother and daughter graduate from YSU

For Jennifer and Olivia Jackson, graduation from Youngstown State University is more than a milestone – it is a moment shaped by years of determination, quiet sacrifices and an unexpected gift: time together.

Olivia Jackson graduated with a bachelor of science in exercise science from the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, followed one day later by her mother, Jennifer Jackson – an administrative specialist in YSU’s undergraduate admissions – with her master of business administration with a focus in organizational leadership from the Williamson College of Business Administration. While their ceremonies took place on separate days during spring 2026 commencement, their journeys have been deeply intertwined.

“I honestly feel like it brought us a lot closer together,” Olivia said. “Just knowing there was always somebody there for me on campus…it gave me a sense of stability.”

That sense of closeness began when Jennifer joined YSU as a staff member in 2024. Before accepting the role, she made an important call – not to a colleague, but to her daughter.

“I asked how she felt about me being on campus because that’s her space,” Jennifer recalled. “That was my first call after I got the job offer.”

Olivia didn’t hesitate.

“No, of course you can,” Olivia said. “It helped me and honestly gave me a place I could always go – even just to stop in between classes, have lunch or talk if I had a bad day.”

Those small, everyday moments – grabbing coffee, taking walks across campus or even sitting side by side and reading a book – became the heart of their shared experience.

For Jennifer, the journey back to school was anything but traditional. She earned her undergraduate degree later in life and had long hoped to pursue a master’s degree, but timing and cost always stood in the way. That changed when she joined YSU and discovered the opportunity to continue her education.

“It was kind of a perfect storm,” she said. “The opportunity finally presented itself, and I just made the leap.”

She did so with intention – even aligning her academic timeline to graduate alongside her daughter.

“I saw when she was going to graduate and when I could graduate, and I applied so that it fit,” Jennifer said.

For Olivia, watching her mother take that step was one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.

“I was most proud of you when you first stepped into it,” she told her. “Just putting yourself out there and taking that leap – it shows that it’s never too late to change your path.”

That lesson – that growth has no expiration date – became a defining theme for both of them.

Jennifer balanced full-time work with graduate school, relying on support from family and colleagues while learning to prioritize what mattered most.

“Everything is a season,” she said. “You have to realize what’s important, let some things go and lean on your support system.”

Meanwhile, Olivia navigated the demands of being a full-time student while working multiple jobs, including teaching fitness classes and training clients – all while building towards her goal of one day owning or operating a fitness facility.

“I think it helps knowing someone else is going through it with you,” Olivia said. “Even if you can’t solve everything, you can sit in it together and remind each other why you started.”

Their time at YSU didn’t just lead to degrees – it gave them something more: meaningful time together.

“When she was younger, she was busy with activities and spent a lot of time with her dad, who coached her, while I was busy,” Jennifer said. “This gave us time we didn’t have before.”

“It kind of bridged the age gap,” Olivia said. “We were just in it together.”

As commencement approached, what began as a shared goal became something more reflective.

“I tend to just check things off a list and move on,” Olivia said. “But this made me stop and actually celebrate – not just myself, but both of us. It made me approach everything that went into it.”

For Jennifer, the moment carries both personal and generational meaning.

“It shows that you’re not too old to pivot,” she said. “If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, you can still go after it.”

Though they briefly considered walking across the stage together, Jennifer ultimately chose something else – to remain, first and foremost, a mother.

“I realized I wanted to be in the audience and watch her graduate,” she said.

It is a choice that reflects the very foundation of their journey: not just shared achievement, but unwavering support.

As they prepare to celebrate their accomplishments just one day apart, it’s quiet moments – the conversations, the encouragement and the time spent side by side – that matter most.

“It’s the time,” Olivia said. “That’s what I’m going to miss about it.”

And while their paths will soon move in new directions, the experience they built together at YSU will remain a lasting bond – one defined not by degrees earned, but by a chapter of life they shared, step by step.