Long road, strong finish for ECU graduates

When Jenna Long crossed the stage to receive her double degree in Law and Criminology and Justice, it marked more than the end of her studies, it capped off a week that perfectly captured the juggle of motherhood and academia. Just days earlier, she had watched her young son graduate from daycare.

For Tracie Rozario, a mother of three and business owner, graduation represented the fulfilment of a goal she first set decades ago when she began a science degree she was determined to finish.

Their journeys were different in detail but united in determination. Returning to university later in life, both women balanced work, family and study, and both credit Edith Cowan University's (ECU's) supportive environment with helping them turn long-held ambitions into reality.

Ten years. Dual degree. Two graduates.

For Jenna, the dream of a dual degree was nearly a decade in the making.

She paused her studies to welcome her son, then returned to school while working full-time. Many nights, she attended classes and meetings with him on her lap, balancing coursework, career, and motherhood all at once. Jenna describes the experience not as polished, but as powered by determination.

"It wasn't graceful. It wasn't quiet. But it was determined," she said.

Jenna completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice with a GPA of 3.6. She said her son shared the finish line.

"In many ways, he's graduating with me."

A defining moment came in 2023, when she attended the Kirby Moot in Melbourne and heard from former High Court judge Michael Kirby, whose message on integrity and responsibility stayed with her.

Jenna said it shaped her view of the profession and the kind of lawyer she hopes to become.

"That moment genuinely shaped how I think about the kind of lawyer I want to be," she said.

She credits ECU lecturers and tutors for their flexibility and encouragement during busy seasons.

"Their impact went far beyond the classroom," she said.

Graduation, she said, feels less like an end and more like confirmation.

"That persistence counts. That unconventional paths are still valid paths."

Returning to a dream deferred

Tracie's university journey began straight after school with a Bachelor of Science. Fascinated by human biology, she immersed herself in her studies, until life intervened and she left in her second year.

What followed was anything but idle: Hospitality, property management, consultancy, raising three children, opening a nail studio, teaching, building a nail supply brand with a business partner - an entrepreneurial venture she continued even while studying.

But through every chapter, one thing remained constant: The desire to return to her studies was always a constant in the back of my mind," she said. "It just wasn't possible."

Over 25 years later, the tide finally turned; her children were older, the timing felt right, the course structure at ECU suited her, and the campus was close to home.

But when she enrolled, she discovered something even greater than convenience.

From her first induction session, she felt welcomed. She worried about fitting in as a mature-age student, but that concern was quickly eased.

"A lot of them were younger than my own children," she said of her cohort. "But they were so kind, funny and accepting."

She had to refind her footing, relearn how to study, and find balance in this new life. Support services helped, especially Peer Assisted Mentoring (PASS) sessions in the first year.

"If there was a PASS session for a unit, I would go. It added that extra structured study time," she said.

Whenever she was looking for support, ECU staff were able to assist.

"If you are ever unsure, just reach out to your lecturers or to the student hub, because they are a fountain of knowledge and will guide you to where you need to go. The people are truly what makes ECU amazing," Tracie said.

She now plans to begin a Masters by Research at ECU and continue her academic work.

"It's never too late to chase your dreams," Tracie said.

"If you have that little voice in your head that says, ‘Could I return to studies?' Listen to it."

Backed by community

These are stories about persistence, of mothers studying late into the night, of returning students finding their place, and of classmates who became support networks.

Both women describe ECU as more than a campus, it was a community. Lecturers were accessible, support programmes were visible and proactive, and help never felt out of reach.

For Jenna and Tracie, graduation is more than a milestone; it is proof that there is no single path through university and that support, at the right time, can change everything.

Information regarding ECU's support of equality and diversity can be found here

More information regarding study support and mentoring programs can be found here