News

Dual degrees: Mother and daughter to graduate together

13 July 2016

A mother and daughter who studied at the University of Derby will graduate together this week at the University’s award ceremonies.

Carol Fenton, 57, who studied a Master’s in Education will graduate with her daughter Meggie.

27-year-old Meggie studied Criminology at the University of Derby and now works for Changing Lives as a Custody and Community Case Worker at Foston Prison, supporting women in prison and during their resettlement in to the community. She also works as a volunteer at St Marys Wharf Police Station.

Meggie, from Chester Green, said: “Studying the same time as my mum has been great. We're both really busy so being able to get lunch together or go for a coffee and a chat has been amazing. My mum isn't just my mum she's my friend, so it's been really nice to have her around and to share this huge part of my life with her.

“It's taken me a while to find out what I want to do in life and my parents have supported me through it all. I'm so happy I get to graduate with my mum, she's been a constant source of support throughout my degree and she's a huge inspiration to me and my sisters, so it's a privilege to be graduating together.”

Meggie intends to enrol onto a Master’s degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Derby in order to become a counsellor.

Graduation image

Carol, from Spondon, said: “I feel incredibly privileged to be graduating with my daughter. How many parents have the opportunity to be involved in graduating at the same ceremony with their child?

“One of my other daughters is graduating the same weekend as well so we have a triple celebration.

“I decided to do an undergraduate degree in 2004 as I had previously been living in Kenya and taught my children with no experience or qualifications. I then went on to become a primary teacher and then four years later into headship.

“While I was a head I mentored and supported students from the University of Derby programmes. As a result of that I attended a mentor meeting and decided to undertake a Masters in Education as part of my own professional development.”

Carol is now a Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at the University of Derby.

Carol and Meggie will be among more than 2,000 students who will graduate from the University of Derby this week.

The graduation ceremonies for the class of 2016 will take place between Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15.