YSU mother-son duo celebrate graduation milestone together

When Kim Paulett and Michael Scolaro first began their academic journeys, Paulett studying Long Term Care Administration and Scolaro, Mechanical Engineering Technology, they didn’t expect that they would be graduating at the same time. Yet, the mother-son duo will share the milestone of receiving their degrees this December, after all.

Paulett, who transferred from the University of Akron, hadn’t initially considered YSU upon her return to higher education. “I went back to school during COVID, and I had been a student at Akron, so it was easy to just start classes there,” she recalled. But after discovering the university’s strong program in Long Term Care Administration, she made the decision to transfer. “When I found out about the Scholars in Aging program at YSU, I was sold,” Kim said. “I could tell the director, Dr. Van Dussen was really passionate about the program.”

Meanwhile, Scolaro began his studies at YSU before his mother, exploring career paths in CNC machining, robotics programming and CAD drafting. "I made a lot of friends, met new people, and really appreciated how professors brought in alumni to talk about their post-graduation experiences,” he said. “It helped me think about where I want to go next.”

Although neither Paulett nor Scolaro planned it, both were initially on track to graduate in May. However, due to unexpected delays, they will both walk across the stage together in December. “We weren’t trying to coordinate it, but now it’s really special that we’re graduating together,” Paulett said, reflecting on the unplanned but exciting coincidence.

Despite attending the same university, their experiences on campus were very different. Scolaro, who started his studies in the fall of 2020, spent much of his time in online classes due to the pandemic. "I didn’t have the typical college experience, but being home with family during that time had its advantages," he said. His mother, who also took classes online, noted that the transition to remote learning was challenging but ultimately rewarding. “We were both doing classes at home, which meant a lot of adjusting and being mindful of noise during tests,” Paulett said.

Paulett’s journey through YSU’s Scholars in Aging program, part of her Long Term Care Administration major, led to valuable experiences, including visits to Columbus, where she worked with policy makers in the Ohio Department of Aging. “I thought I was just going to become a nursing home administrator, but my experience opened my eyes to the policy side of things, which I hadn’t expected,” she explained. She plans to continue exploring opportunities in the field, potentially even pursuing a master’s degree in the future.

Scolaro, on the other hand, is keeping his options open after graduation. "I’m applying to jobs in CNC machining, robotics and CAD drafting," he said. “It’s nice knowing my degree gives me a lot of flexibility in what I can do.”

The two are eagerly anticipating their December commencement ceremony. “We’re both excited, and my whole family is coming to celebrate,” Paulett said. "Michael’s the youngest of four, so there will be a big group of family and friends cheering us on.”

Their celebration won’t end at graduation. After the ceremony, Paulett and Scolaro plan to host a large gathering at a lodge in Akron, where they’ll celebrate with family and friends. “I jokingly told my kids I wanted everyone I’ve ever met in my life to be there,” Paulett said.

Looking back on their academic experiences, both Paulett and Scolaro shared their gratitude for the opportunities they’ve had at YSU. Paulett, who had previously earned an associate’s degree from the University of Akron, said that returning to school during the pandemic was a pivotal decision. "It was the right time, even though things were falling apart for a lot of people. I knew I wanted to finish my degree, and YSU made it possible.”

Both Kim and Michael are excited to finish this chapter of their academic journey but are already thinking about what comes next. For now, both are focused on the excitement of their upcoming graduation and what the future holds. "Graduating with my mom is going to be such a special moment," Scolaro said. "It’s something I’ll never forget." Paulett echoed his sentiments, adding, “It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m so proud of us both.”