Editor’s Note: This is the second feature about a UCCS staff member who is also graduating. More features are planned as UCCS prepares for Spring Commencement Ceremonies on May 18.
Twenty-three years ago, Melissa Lucero, administrative assistant, Office of Human Resources, was a pregnant first-year California community college student.
She quit school, went to work full-time and leaned heavily on family for support. Times were tough as she struggled to raise the four-pound, one-month premature boy with the help of her grandparents.
But Lucero, now 43, isn’t looking backward. On May 18, she and son, Jeff Tejada, will both participate in University of Colorado Colorado Springs commencement exercises. Lucero will earn a bachelor’s degree in communication and Tejada a bachelor’s degree in political science. Though Lucero must still take a summer class, she will participate in ceremonies with her son, now more than six feet tall and weighing more than 200 pounds.
“I’m a little late,” Lucero said. “My goal was to finish by the time I was 40. When I found out Jeff was going to graduate, I knew I had to step it up.”
Lucero worked with her supervisor, Cindy Corwin, director, Human Resources to squeeze in as many classes as possible to complete the degree she started at another university in 2005 and continued at UCCS after her 2008 arrival. Balancing the demands of five children and a full-time job processing payroll, administering CU Jobs postings, and assisting classified staff members was a challenge.
Lunch hours and weekends were sacrificed. Work hours were adjusted and Lucero found herself staying late as well as studying alongside her four younger children still living at home. While hectic, Lucero knows that she established a strong role model for her children.
“I enjoyed my classes but I want my lunchtime and weekends back,” Lucero said.
Lucero did not use the tuition benefit provided to employees for herself. Instead, she transferred the tuition for nine credit hours per year benefit to Tejada, a recent administrative policy change that she appreciates.
“UCCS has been great for me and for my son,” Lucero said. “With the help of the tuition benefit, he’ll graduate with a relatively small amount of student debt. That’s a great gift for a parent to be able to give to a child.”
Her advice to others considering starting a degree or finishing one started years ago is simple. Talk to your supervisor about a flexible schedule and have a support system.
“I almost quit lots of times,” Lucero said. “I’d tell my husband I was going to skip class and we’d go out to dinner or something. His response was ‘go to class, we’ll go out tomorrow night.’ That kind of support kept me working toward my goal. I’m thankful I had it.”
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