Articles

Side by Side: A mother and daughter’s shared journey to graduation at HCC

Jan 20, 2026

Pictured from left to right: Alejandria Negret, 23, and her mother DeShanna, 48, graduated together from Houston City College on Dec. 10, 2025.

When DeShanna Negret first enrolled at Houston City College (HCC) in 2019, she was struggling with the reality that her oldest daughter was a senior in high school, and her two younger daughters were not far behind.

“My first baby was getting ready to graduate, and the others didn’t seem to need me the same way anymore,” DeShanna shared. “So, I thought, ‘What am I going to do with myself’?.”

It was Alejandria Negret, the eldest daughter, who suggested her mother finish school.

DeShanna, now 48, thought she was too old at the time. She already had decades of work experience, including serving as a cafeteria manager with the Houston Independent School District and before that, as an assistant manager at a fast-food restaurant. College felt like something she left behind in the 1990s, when she briefly attended Lone Star College before marriage and motherhood took priority.

Still, DeShanna explored HCC’s degree and certificate plans and saw a restaurant administration program that aligned with her career in food service. DeShanna completed her Restaurant Management certificate in 2022. While preparing to graduate, an HCC advisor noticed she had enough credits to pursue additional credentials. That summer, she finished three more courses and earned a second certification as a payroll specialist.

DeShanna found the momentum invigorating which made her want to keep on going.

“I knew if I wanted my bachelor’s degree, the logical next step was to pursue my associate degree,” she said.

Persevering Through Loss and Pushing Forward

In 2023, DeShanna started business administration courses, but this time as a working mother navigating profound personal loss. Her mother passed away. Her father became ill and moved into her home, requiring full-time care, and her husband’s health declined. There were semesters she had to step away, but she always returned.

Before her father passed away, he told her, “Don’t stop. Don’t let anything stop you from getting your degree.”

She didn’t.

That same year, DeShanna and Alejandria found themselves walking the same academic path—sometimes taking the same classes.

Alejandria, now 23, has her own unique story. She started at HCC in 2021 after graduating high school during the height of COVID-19. Like many students in 2020, her transition to college was delayed and uncertain. She explored several majors such as sociology and fashion design before discovering her passion for English.

“I realized I love writing,” said Alejandria. “I wanted to expand that through my education.”

Learning Together, Graduating Together

Mother and daughter supported one another academically and emotionally. They studied together, shared professors’ insights, discussed assignment topics and held each other accountable for deadlines.

“There were moments I wanted to drop out of school because of everything that was going on in my personal life,” Alejandria admitted. “But seeing how my mom carried forward with her studies and how she persevered after the tragedy we experienced, that was the biggest motivator in continuing my studies.”

In December 2025, they crossed the finish line together.

DeShanna earned her Associate of Arts in Business Administration. Alejandria graduated with her Associate of Arts in English.

Their paths continue to mirror one another. Mom has “stepped out on faith,” leaving her job, relocating to Beaumont, and living the college life she always wanted as a full-time student at Lamar University. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies. Her longtime goal is to return to K-12 or hospitality leadership, advocating for inclusive employment and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Alejandria is waiting to find out which university will accept her. Her preferences are University of Houston, Texas State University and Lamar University, like her mom. For now, she is completing a Community Healthcare Certification and working alongside local nonprofits to serve underserved populations.

“I want to be a role model for my younger sisters,” Alejandria added. “I want to show them both that even through tough times, you can still move forward.”

Two different paths, but one shared goal.

“We both want to help people,” DeShanna explained. “Education gave us the tools and we gave each other strength.”

For this mother and daughter, graduation was not just a milestone. It was proof that support is powerful and it’s never too late to walk across the stage, especially when a loved one is walking beside you.