91吃瓜网淭he Glue:91吃瓜网� USM Staffer Graduating in May Pursued Degree While Balancing Work, School, Family
Wed, 05/08/2024 - 11:45am | By: David Tisdale
She91吃瓜网 often referred to as 91吃瓜网淭he Glue91吃瓜网� in her role as budget manager in The University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) Office of Student Life, and Geneal Washam leaned into that invaluable attribute to hold it all together while managing work, family life and her studies to realize a dream deferred.
Washam, a mother of three from Waynesboro, Miss., will receive her bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in business administration Friday, May 10 during USM91吃瓜网 spring commencement exercises on the Hattiesburg campus, one of more than 1,900 students graduating this semester at the university.
Earning her degree will be a 91吃瓜网榤ission accomplished91吃瓜网� moment for Washam, who planned to continue her college studies after attaining an associate degree from Jones College in Ellisville in 2001. 91吃瓜网淢y goal was to keep going, but life happened,91吃瓜网� she said, hitting the pause button back then to begin raising a family.
She decided to put her foot back on the gas several years later, in a moment of reflection when she decided the time was right to turn the page on her own story.
91吃瓜网淥ne day while at my previous job I sat at my desk after 16 years and said, 91吃瓜网業t91吃瓜网 time for a change.91吃瓜网� I felt stagnate and wanted something different so I could continue to grow professionally in my career,91吃瓜网� Washam said. 91吃瓜网淕od led me to USM shortly after.91吃瓜网�
Washam moved to Hattiesburg in 2011; she later applied for jobs at USM. Her first role with the university was as office manager in its Office of Fraternity and Student Life, then was promoted in Feb. 2024 to Student Life Connection Budget Manager. Her current duties include aiding the executive director for student affairs in overseeing departmental budgets, forecasting of revenue and expenses of the unit, and providing council advisors and student organizations with administrative support.
91吃瓜网淲hat I like about working at USM is the Southern hospitality, work life balance, and endless opportunities to grow professionally,91吃瓜网� Washam said. 91吃瓜网淏y advocating for yourself and actively engaging on campus, you can expand your professional network and enhance your own skills and knowledge to advance your career.
91吃瓜网淚 absolutely love my job as office budget manager. I91吃瓜网檓 where God wants me to be.91吃瓜网�
Daily contact with students and playing a role in their success motivates Washam. She91吃瓜网 also inspired by the leadership of her boss, executive director of Student Life Dr. Laura Laughlin, who hired her at USM in 2019 as office manager for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
91吃瓜网淒r. Laughlin gives the vision, lays a solid foundation, and as a team we follow and finish building,91吃瓜网� Washam explained. 91吃瓜网淲e uplift and empower each other, making our team stronger and more successful.91吃瓜网�
With the opportunity readily available to her as a USM employee to pursue a degree, Washam enrolled in spring 2020 - just as the Covid-19 pandemic was underway - to begin anew what she started years earlier. But she wasn91吃瓜网檛 oblivious to the challenge of adding another layer of responsibility to her already long to-do list.
91吃瓜网淚 knew balancing work, a family, active kids in multiple sports, and my studies would be a challenge, but I was ready to get started.91吃瓜网�
Washam said the journey that concludes for her this week started out rocky, but she pressed on.
91吃瓜网淭he support of my family, friends, and coworkers gave me the courage to keep going,91吃瓜网� said Washam, a first-generation college student in her family. 91吃瓜网淭hat91吃瓜网 major for me, because I feel as if barriers have been broken and I have paved the way for my own children.91吃瓜网�
That inspiration seems to have already taken hold, as Washam91吃瓜网 oldest son will graduate from Meridian Community College, also on May 10, with an associate degree in health and science; he plans to transfer to USM. Washam will depart following her commencement ceremony that morning to watch him pick up his diploma in the afternoon. Her daughter will graduate from Hattiesburg High School May 22, with that ceremony also to be held at Reed Green Coliseum; she will attend USM in the fall.
91吃瓜网淭o know Geneal is to know that she is the epitome of grit,91吃瓜网� Dr. Laughlin said. 91吃瓜网淚 can91吃瓜网檛 imagine this place without her. She91吃瓜网 incredibly hard-working and has determination like no other.
91吃瓜网淓ven though she always has a lot on her plate, she manages to be kind, patient, and helpful to anyone who needs her. And it91吃瓜网 so serendipitous that two of her three children are also graduating this year alongside her, as they are undoubtedly what she is most proud of. We91吃瓜网檙e so thrilled to cheer on Geneal on her big day.91吃瓜网�
With commencement just days away, Washam is still trying to wrap her mind around the reality of the moment to come.
91吃瓜网淚 can91吃瓜网檛 believe it91吃瓜网 finally here - all the hard work, sacrifice, blood sweat and tears were not in vain,91吃瓜网� she reflected. 91吃瓜网淭he thought of walking across that stage will be a life -long dream that has finally come true. Every time I think about it, tears begin to fall. Without God none of this would be even possible.
91吃瓜网淢y favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 91吃瓜网� 91吃瓜网業 can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me.91吃瓜网� I hope that my story inspires, motivates, and encourages someone else who91吃瓜网 been thinking about furthering their education, or just thinking about stepping out on faith for a change. Only you can determine your success, and delayed doesn91吃瓜网檛 mean denied.91吃瓜网�