Barbara McDade pulled a bit of a switch on the old saying, "Like Mother. Like Daughter." She's promised her daughter that it will be "Like Daughter. Like Mother."

While Barbara had been thinking of returning to school for almost three years, she also was encouraging her daughter to return to finish her B.A. in social work. When both Barbara and daughter Meagan attended a graduation ceremony at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and watched the "walk down the hill," that cherished tradition sealed the deal. She told her daughter they would walk down the hill together.

Like many other busy working people, Barbara had put off returning to college for her master's degree in Education until she had raised her two children. But after her younger child graduated from high school, she made a point to start thinking about her own career plan.

Originally, Barbara attended the KU Edwards Campus information session with her daughter to offer support. After being impressed by the information session, facility and faculty, Barbara and Meagan both decided to go back.

"Because I am currently a full-time seventh grade teacher, I was drawn to the Edwards Campus for its convenience and class availability," she said. "But I wasn't sure if I could squeeze it all in."

Fortunately, the Edwards Campus understood her hectic schedule. "They offered convenient class times and to top it off, they have an outstanding reading specialty program," said Barbara.

She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Education with an emphasis on Reading. She hopes to become certified as a reading specialist. Her dream of going back and getting a master's degree will become a reality when she graduates in 2009 – with her daughter, Meagan.

And, you can expect the two to be side–by–side in matching caps and gowns, walking down the hill and through the Campanile together.