Single Mom of Three Overcomes Obstacles to Complete College

DECATUR, Ga. — Mandi Shelnutt refused to quit on herself, and her persistence is finally paying off.

The 33-year-old mother of three young children is among nearly 700 associate degree candidates set to graduate from Georgia State University’s Perimeter College Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Georgia State Convocation Center.

“I’m standing here today with my three children, as a single mom, receiving my degree after a long 10 years,” Shelnutt said.

As an online student living in Pensacola, Fla., Shelnutt studied psychology, one of the most popular pathways at Perimeter. Her academic journey at the college started in 2013 and she encountered several obstacles as she juggled work and raising her children — all while living miles away from her parents and other family in Georgia. She also welcomed another child into her home for several years and considers her one of her children as well.

“My faith and my children are what carried me through, and gave me the motivation,” she said.

Perimeter’s Fall Commencement will recognize 675 graduation candidates who’ve studied in a wide range of pathways at the state’s largest two-year college.

Shelnutt will graduate with a near 4.0 grade point average. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree, also as an online student at Georgia State University, while working at her local mental health hospital. Eventually, she wants to use her testimony to travel the world as a missionary.

“I want to leave an impact and help others,” she said.

Perimeter College offers more than 30 academic pathways leading to an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. In addition to psychology, business administration, computer science, nursing and health science professions are among the top picks for students.

Visit the Perimeter College webpage to learn more about the college’s online and in-person paths to an associate degree.

Story by Kysa Anderson Daniels

Photo courtesy Mandi Shelnutt