"It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it."
Eighteen years ago, Priscilla Watson walked onto the Victoria College campus with a GED, a newborn, and a dream. On May 17, that dream will finally come true when Watson graduates with a nursing degree.
“VC has always felt like home,” said Watson. “I knew eventually one day I would be able to attend the nursing program here. I’m very proud to be a VC student.”
Watson first enrolled at VC in 2007, just after becoming a new mom. Over the years, life took her in many directions, but VC became a steady compass offering direction. She earned her Medication Aide Certification in 2009, her Medical Assistant Certification in 2014, and in January 2023, she came back with one goal: to become a nurse.
“VC has always made it easy to return back to college even if things didn’t work out how I had expected them to,” said Watson. “The instructors were always encouraging, and I have met some great people along the way.”
Now, she’s graduating with her Associate Degree in nursing—and she’s not stopping there. Watson is also on track to complete her Bachelor of Science in nursing this August.
A mother of five, a dedicated student, and a tutor in VC’s KEY Center, Watson balanced school, work and parenting—often all at once.
“It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it,” she says. “VC was always there to give me a chance to better my future. I hope my story shows others that it’s never too late and nothing is impossible!”
From GED to graduate, Watson’s journey is a testament to resilience, hard work and the power of believing in yourself.
VC wants to hear from former and current Pirates. Visit VictoriaCollege.edu/ShareYourStory to submit a success story in honor of VC's 100th anniversary.