Why Candace Boyer Chose Child Psychology at SNHU

Walking across the stage at Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) Commencement ceremony was more than a milestone for Candace Boyer, who earned her bachelor’s in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development. It closed a decade of believing it wasn’t the right time.

“The number one thing that I promised myself was coming out here to graduate,” Boyer said, “because there's no bigger feeling than walking across that stage, getting your diploma and just feeling the energy in the room, knowing that you accomplished your goal.”

As she stepped off of the stage, she became part of the first generation of college graduates in her family.

“It feels amazing," Boyer said, "I look at myself and I know that I have something I can take back to my daughter, that she can look at me and be proud of me.”

The Road to This Moment

Boyer’s walk started 10 years earlier, when life changed the course of her college dreams.

“I went to college straight out of high school.” Boyer reflected. “I kind of fell into a love story and just didn't finish when we broke up.”

She didn’t go back to school straight away. Boyer said she didn’t have the drive or the energy to go back, using every excuse possible. Life once again had other plans for her.

“Eventually I got to a point, this is the time for me to go back," she said. "I have time, I can focus, and I can really put the energy into making sure I do what I need to do and show up.”

Steps to Success

Boyer found that she had a team at SNHU that was pivotal to her success. Her advisor, Samantha Avery, always had her door open, always checking in to make sure Boyer felt supported.

Boyer said, “There were some times where my grades were slipping a little bit, and she would always check in and just say, ‘Hey, what's going on?’”

The program pushed her, but she said that she also found great enjoyment in the learning process. Her favorite courses, personality theory and forensic psychology, left lasting impacts on her path forward.

"I would have to say that I learned a lot about myself, generally speaking, with those classes," Boyer said. "It was very interesting to really, like, dive into the layers of human psyche and like, human behavior and what makes us us as people."

Beyond the classroom, Boyer said she appreciated how the flexibility of SNHU’s schedule allowed her to balance school with life in her home city of Atlanta, Georgia.

On the Horizon

Looking forward, Boyer said she's focused on using her degree to make a difference as a child advocate. Inspired not only by her daughter but also by her nephew, she said she feels a deep responsibility to help guide and protect children. “I wanted to go into a field where I could help people,” she said.

She also reflected on how much she has grown since first reentering the academic space. She described going into the program uncertain and unsure of herself, but leaving confident, accomplished and ready for what comes next.

Her advice to other students, especially those returning after time away, is simple:

“I definitely want them to know that it's a program that works around your life," she said. "It's not just about it being online and being an easy thing, because nothing about this journey was easy at all. But it's definitely here for you to give you what you need. If you just lock in.”

Tessé Allen-Albino is a content marketing assistant at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) where she is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in computer science. Based in Ohio, she is a proud mother of two, and enjoys coaching soccer and playing video games in her free time. Connect with her on LinkedIn.