This past spring Renee joined UMass Dartmouth's online community as a Liberal Arts major with concentrations in Sociology and English.
47-year-old Renee Denno is doing what it takes to make her dream a reality. This past spring she joined UMass Dartmouth's online community as a Liberal Arts major with concentrations in Sociology and English.
"Going back to school has always been a dream of mine," Denno said. "I want to prove that I still have what it takes to be a great student."
Why UMass Dartmouth?
Denno, a Massachusetts resident, is familiar with all the UMass campuses, but dealing with the staff at UMass Dartmouth helped make her decision a little easier.
"Everyone was pleasant and timely in their responses," she said. "My experience has been wonderful." And even though she is fairly new to online learning, Denno appreciates the convenience of online learning. "Online learning provides me the flexibility to be the best student I can be," she said. "And I can still be there for my family."
The desire to return to school
After earning her Associate's Degree in Business from Mount Wachusett Community College, Denno started a family and earning her bachelor's degree took second place to raising her son.
But now her son is 12, and helping him with homework gave Denno the urge to return to school.
"I am trying to be the very best role model for my son, and I want him to embrace school," she said. "I feel that by doing this now, I am showing my son that he can accomplish anything and be anything."
It's never too late to improve
Denno believes that it is never too late to go back to school and improve herself. "Being a student has positively impacted my life," she said. "I am doing something for myself, I am improving myself."
She admits that by returning to school, she faces many challenges as a mother, employee, and student. But she is positive that these challenges will not interfere with her dream. "While taking my first two courses, I wanted to quit halfway through, but I didn't," Denno said. "Every hurdle I overcome makes me stronger."