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Ask any of the and marketing with a minor in project management, and a course load that would allow her to finish her four-year degree in two years.

'"I wanted to challenge myself,'" she said. '"I hope that it will encourage my children and other parents out there to continue their dreams through educational approaches.'"

While enrolling online has made it possible for Mainhia to add '"full-time student'" to her long list of titles and responsibilities, it has by no means been easy, she said.

Balancing work, school, and her children means she's had to make sacrifices over the last year and a half. Her biggest challenges have been managing her time and finances while devoting a significant chunk of both to her education. She cut out social time, vacations, and hobbies, such as working out, horseback riding, and playing pool to focus on her family and studies.

'"The saddest moments I have lost are time with my two girls,'" she said. '"I used to take them on special mommy-daughter dates or picnics at the park, but I had to limit those and use the time to focus on their homework or tending to their needs so that when they are finally asleep, I could study.'"

Her drive and motivation to finish her degree as quickly as possible will soon pay off when she graduates in Spring 2021. Once she has her new credentials in hand, she's going back to apply for a leadership role in her office – one she wasn't qualified for without a degree.

'"I thought that going back and getting the degree was all I really needed,'" she said. '"But once I got deep into the studies and the different types of management strategies that I learned, I realized I could really use a lot of this knowledge in the field.'"

Mainhia said her drive to finish her degree comes in part from wanting to show her daughters, Venicia and Vittoria, that they can follow their dreams and better their lives through education. She had unlimited support from her family, friends, and a partner in her life who contributed to her growth and journey.

She also draws motivation and inspiration from her parents, who wanted her to finish her education but passed away last year before they could see her graduate.

"For a while there I was a little lost and I wasn't sure how I was going to continue school, but, you know, parents have a way of molding themselves into their children's brain, 'cause all I can hear is mom saying, 'You better finish it,'" she said. "I'm using that as my way of saying, 'Okay, mom, this one's for you.'"