News from The Mahurin Honors College

Cindy Morales, a dynamic and determined non-traditional aged student at WKU, has journeyed far to realize her academic dreams. Born in Guatemala and raised in the bustling city of Los Angeles, she faced a high cost of living and the demands of working two jobs, which put her education on hold. Seven years ago, she and her family relocated to Bowling Green, Kentucky, seeking both a fresh start and the chance to finally pursue her long-deferred goals. Today, Cindy’s life is a testament to resilience and purpose, as she balances her roles as a mother, wife, and full-time student with unwavering determination.

Cindy initially gravitated toward psychology, driven by her history of supporting others in her community. “I always found myself helping others, whether it was with their mental health, translating for them, or doing paperwork because of my administrative background,” she says. But her journey took a significant turn when she enrolled in a child development course in Fall 2023. “I had a child development class, and my professor, Dr. Babb—a wonderful human being—told me, ‘You need to change your major; you would be wonderful with children.’”

Initially hesitant, Cindy was approached again by Dr. D’Lee Babb, associate professor of early childhood education, College of Health and Human Services, who offered her a research assistantship role that sparked her interest in Child and Family Services. Reflecting on the pivotal conversation with Dr. Babb, Cindy shares, “After talking to her about what Child and Family Services was about, I thought it made sense. I had a two-year-old at the time, and when I was pregnant, I did a lot of research on babies, their brain development, and this neurological information. It all tied into what I was learning.”

As a research assistant, Cindy has embraced hands-on work collecting data on gross motor skills for children, especially those in homeschool settings. “The [children] come once a week, and we form a class where we write curriculum,” she explains. “We test them, using the Bergonz text, which tells you by age groups if they can kick, throw, etc. Then we make them do that through games like hopscotch, and I put the data into Qualtrics. With that data, I can assess which children have developmental delays in what areas and create a curriculum based on that to strengthen those skills.” For Cindy, this research role is about more than just career preparation; it’s an opportunity to be a better parent. “This job helps me understand what my child is going through,” she adds.

The road hasn’t been easy, especially with the intensity of a full academic load this fall, but Cindy is driven by a deep-rooted motivation to create a better future. “The motivation knowing that my son is going to grow up watching his parents go to college, which is something that neither he [her husband] nor I ever saw growing up, is definitely what gets me up at 6:00 AM every day,” Cindy shares. Her commitment has even inspired her spouse to enroll in college, with plans to study computer science, and the family has rallied around each other to make it work. “We both have support from our families,” Cindy notes, emphasizing the importance of their close-knit family network.

WKU’s Mahurin Honors College was another aspiration for Cindy. “I always got good grades, always understood complex ideas and concepts,” she explains, “and I’d always drive by the Honors College, wanting to go in there, be around people who are nerdy. I wanted a challenge.” Cindy is now taking three Honors courses in fall 2024: HON 251, Chinese Calligraphy, and an augmented class. Despite the added pressure, she’s found HON 251 events and discussions enriching and tries to attend as many as possible. “I wanted to be around people who share that passion for learning,” she says.

Key mentors, including Dr. Babb and Dr. Darbi Haynes-Lawrence, have also played an instrumental role in Cindy’s journey. “Dr. Babb and Dr. Darbi have both been incredible advocates for me. Dr. Darbi is pushing me to apply for the FUSE grant,” she shares. “They talk about me, guide me, and they know their stuff. I trust their vision for me.” As she works towards her May 2027 graduation, Cindy is also considering future plans in clinical psychology graduate program.

For Cindy, this experience has been transformative not only academically but personally, renewing her confidence and perspective. “The first year was phenomenal. I felt like an 18-year-old—it was really strange, and everyone thinks I’m 21 here. It’s helped my confidence so much. Mentally, I’m way ahead of the traditionally aged students, but now I focus on sharing with them the importance of perspective, taking care of their health, and self-discipline,” she says.

Cindy’s message to non-traditional students is one of empowerment and encouragement. “Age is just a number. In my 20s, I thought of my age as a reason not to go back to school, but now I’ve broken that barrier in my mind. We’re older; we can adapt to our environment, and we can handle many things. But you have to figure yourself out first before making a commitment this big because you don’t want to be miserable in the career path you choose.”

With courage, family support, and an unyielding drive to achieve her goals, Cindy Morales continues to redefine what’s possible for non-traditional students and parents. Her journey reminds us all that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams and that education can be a profound force for change—both in our own lives and in the lives of those we love.