In 1987, two weeks after high school graduation and at the age of 17, Tracie Hicks left home for basic training. While she was there, her father passed away unexpectedly. She had participated in ROTC in high school, and her goal was to continue through collegiate-level Army ROTC and commission as an officer when she graduated from The University of Alabama, but as she tells it, “God had other plans.”
This tragedy rocked her world and she put everything on hold. “I couldn’t imagine going to college and leaving my mom – just couldn’t take that next step. I wasn’t in the frame of mind to go to college after that happened,” she said.
After staying with her mom for some time, Tracie got married and started her own family. Many years later, after she completed her service commitment with the Army Reserve, her daughter Antonia was preparing for college and reminded Tracie of her own plans. “One day I said, ‘You know what? I have a goal, and I want to finish this. And I really want to go to The University of Alabama.’ So I did.”
In 2015, Tracie and Antonia both began taking undergraduate classes at UA, Antonia as a main campus student and Tracie as a distance student from their home in Virginia. “I told myself I’d finish before she did,” Tracie said.
She started as a business major, but decided to change majors after taking a few courses. “The math hit me, and I hate math! But I wanted my degree. So I talked to my counselor about which programs I could do without calculus.” Tracie then began earning her Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a technology-related minor to complement her career as a computer programmer.
With hard work, she accomplished the challenge she’d given herself of graduating before her daughter. “I had to stay focused. Because I was so determined, I told myself, ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter what it takes, I’m going to get this done.’ I’m a wife, mom, and full-time manager of three departments in my company, and I was older going back to school, so it was a challenge. It’s a sacrifice, but it’s a great reward,” Tracie said.
She has been with her company for 24 years, but even a computer programmer with decades of experience found value in the coursework. “I loved English and really enjoyed my writing classes. And I learned things in the IT courses, too. I appreciated those classes because they were a little easier for me, but even I learned some new stuff because technology is constantly changing.”
Earning her degree allowed for advancement in her current company as well. “I had the knowledge and the work experience – I had all of that. But that one piece of paper makes a difference in our workplace. So it has given me a sense of accomplishment to finish, and it has also helped me financially.”
It may have taken her on a different path than she had planned at 17, but Tracie’s determined spirit has served her well. Now she is a proud alumna of the legendary university she always dreamed of attending. “By the grace of God, I did it,” she said.
Her daughter is following in her footsteps, too. After completing part of her degree on campus, she has returned home to finish her bachelor’s in Commerce and Business Administration through UA Online. Tracie and Antonia both look forward to coming back to campus in May for Antonia’s graduation.
Published: August 30th, 2020