Connie & Jelina Gatlin

Beyond the Bell Tower

Only 33% of parents graduate with a bachelor’s degree. And with childcare costing so much more than the price of tuition, many parents struggle with balancing the responsibilities of raising a child and continuing their education. Connie Gatlin, a recent graduate in Horticulture Science and the TRIO program, defied the odds and succeeded despite them – all with her daughter, Jelina, beside her every step of the way. Tune in to hear Connie and Jelina talk their journey, including what it was like for Connie to bring her daughter with her to class, how Jelina has benefited from her time as one of the youngest students to ever attend NC State, and all the different ways they overcame what was supposed to be impossible.