Amanda and Jean Llewellyn Walk Together Toward Their Dreams- MyUMUC Story

MyUMUC Graduates

Amanda and Jean Llewellyn Walk Together Toward Their Dreams

By: Stephanie Edwards

Amanda and Jean Llewellyn, a mother-daughter duo, are excited to walk across the UMUC Commencement stage together this May.

Amanda Llewellyn, the daughter, will be graduating with an MBA, completing her dual degree program—she already holds a Master of Science in health care administration.

In fact, since 2004, she has earned an undergraduate degree, and now, two master’s degrees from UMUC, all despite personal trials and obstacles.

While pursuing her graduate degree, Amanda explained, she moved three times, bought two homes, built one home, planned a wedding, and “skipped the altar.” She was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During this time, Amanda underwent chemotherapy treatments and moved back home with her mother. She managed to work two jobs where she was on-call 24 hours a day, for a year. During this time, she made time for school and even found the love of her life.

Her mother said proudly, “Through many personal trials and tribulations, Amanda has never lost sight of her determination to excel at her academic goals.”

In fact, Amanda believed so strongly in education that she encouraged her mother, Jean, to pursue her own master’s degree at UMUC as well. After more than 25 years away from academics, Jean was happy to revisit her education and will now graduate with a Master of Science in health care administration. “I owe my successes to my three children, who wouldn't take no for an answer,” she said. “I am forever grateful and inspired by them! I look forward to graduating with my daughter this May.”

Amanda said that, in turn, her mother is the one who inspires her achieve. “I have always been a driven person, but the one constant in my life has been the applause from my mother in the middle row. There was no event or achievement too small or too big for her to be proud of all of her children.”

Amanda explained that the key to making it to graduation day, the ultimate finish line, is to keep your eye on the prize. “If you are focused and determined, you can achieve anything," she said. "Stick close to your study groups and classmates. Support and relationships—even virtual ones—help you overcome any obstacle.”

With all these degrees under her belt, Amanda has no plans to stop there. She will to continue her current career as a healthcare administrator and pursue her PhD in the health care field. “Eventually, I would like to be able to teach and be the chief executive officer of a hospital,” said Amanda.

This mother and daughter team have inspired each other to pursue their dreams and their educational goals. They will always remember the 2008 UMUC Commencement as the day that they, together, walked toward their futures.