Tosha Murphy had a business administration degree, was married and had two young sons when she decided to return to college. She wanted to become a dental hygienist and heard that Georgia Perimeter College’s program was one of the best in the nation, with top first-try pass rates on the national board exams.

She found the program demanding, but the instructors prepared her well. And her husband and children provided amazing support at home. When it was time for Murphy to hit the books, her sons did the same.  “It made them better students because they saw me study,” she says.

Last year was tough, though. Doctors discovered Murphy’s son Jayden had a tumor on his brain. She planned to withdraw from studies, but her family urged her to continue and helped her through the stress, the challenges and the schedule of her son’s treatments. Today, Jayden is much improved. And Murphy says the associate degree in Dental Hygiene she received from GPC May 4 is truly an accomplishment for her entire family.

Murphy will work and continue her education -- pursuing a bachelor’s degree online through the University of Michigan and then a master’s to become an advanced practitioner.