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KOAT.COM. A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ARE CROSSING THE GRADUATION STAGE TOGETHER. ONE CHAPTER ENDING ANOTHER BEGAN. PEYTON SPELLACY HAS A STORY OF HOW THIS DUO BECAME PART OF THE CLASS OF 2026. SIDE BY SIDE. AFTER SPENDING 28 YEARS AS A HAIRDRESSER, GRACE HERRERA SAID SHE NEEDED TO MAKE A CHANGE AFTER COVID, SO SHE ENROLLED HERSELF AT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF A FRIEND. WATCHING HER MOM THRIVE IN COLLEGE INSPIRED HER DAUGHTER LEANNE, TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER A SEVEN YEAR BREAK. LEANNE SAYS SEEING HER MOM MAKE FRIENDS AND MAINTAIN A 4.0 GPA MOTIVATED HER TO COME BACK AND FINISH WHAT SHE STARTED. NOW, BOTH MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ARE PREPARING TO GRADUATE IN 2026. LEANNE, WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY AND A MINOR IN GENDER AND WOMEN’S STUDIES AND GRACE WITH A DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION. WORKING FULL TIME WHILE ALSO GOING TO COLLEGE IS VERY STRESSFUL. SO HAVING MY MOM TO LEAN ON NOT ONLY ACADEMICALLY, BUT EMOTIONALLY, LIKE IT JUST IT HELPED ME GET TO THE FINISH POINT. I AGREE, WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CLOSE AND IN IN HAVING HER HERE WITH ME, IT’S JUST BUILT OUR BOND. WE GO TO GAMES TOGETHER. WE WE DO FIVE KS THAT THEY HAVE HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY AND THEIR JOURNEY DOESN’T END AT GRADUA
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Mother and daughter set to graduate college together
After inspiring each other through college, Grace and Leiann Herrera are now preparing to graduate together and continue on to graduate school side by side.
A mother and daughter are preparing to cross the graduation stage together, celebrating not just the end of one journey, but the beginning of another.After spending 28 years working as a hairdresser, Grace Herrera says the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her to reevaluate her future. Encouraged by a friend, she decided to enroll at New Mexico Highlands University and pursue a completely new path.What Grace didn’t expect was the impact her decision would have on her daughter.Watching her mom succeed in college inspired Leiann Herrera to return to school after taking a seven-year break from her education. Leiann says seeing Grace thrive on campus, including making friends, staying motivated, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, gave her the confidence to finish what she started.Now, the two are preparing to graduate together in 2026.Grace will earn her degree in psychology with a minor in gender and women’s studies, while Lieann will graduate with a degree in early childhood multicultural education.And for the Herrera family, graduation is not the finish line.This August, both mother and daughter will continue their education at the same university as they begin graduate programs side by side.Grace will pursue a master’s degree in general psychology, while Lieann is starting a program in clinical mental health counseling.
A mother and daughter are preparing to cross the graduation stage together, celebrating not just the end of one journey, but the beginning of another.
After spending 28 years working as a hairdresser, Grace Herrera says the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her to reevaluate her future. Encouraged by a friend, she decided to enroll at New Mexico Highlands University and pursue a completely new path.
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What Grace didn’t expect was the impact her decision would have on her daughter.
Watching her mom succeed in college inspired Leiann Herrera to return to school after taking a seven-year break from her education. Leiann says seeing Grace thrive on campus, including making friends, staying motivated, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, gave her the confidence to finish what she started.
Now, the two are preparing to graduate together in 2026.
Grace will earn her degree in psychology with a minor in gender and women’s studies, while Lieann will graduate with a degree in early childhood multicultural education.
And for the Herrera family, graduation is not the finish line.
This August, both mother and daughter will continue their education at the same university as they begin graduate programs side by side.
Grace will pursue a master’s degree in general psychology, while Lieann is starting a program in clinical mental health counseling.
