This year’s spring commencement ceremony at Langston University was extraordinary for the Barnett family, as mother and daughter Cerita and Alexis Barnett shared the honor of graduating together. Both earning their master’s degrees in rehabilitation counseling, they walked across the stage together on a day filled with pride and joy as members of the Class of 2024.
Reflecting on their journey, Alexis commented, “We laughed a lot, we studied a lot. We learned how to work as a team to grow.” Their path to graduation, however, wasn’t originally envisioned as a shared experience.
Cerita, a sociology graduate of Langston University from the class of 1992, aspired to work in the public school system to guide at-risk students. After starting a family, she postponed her master’s ambitions but maintained her commitment to education by working as a substitute teacher in the Tulsa Public School system. This allowed her to support her own children’s education while still playing a role in the classrooms.
“Education can open doors,” said Alexis, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2021 with double majors in psychology and sociology. Inspired by her mother’s dedication, she encouraged Cerita to pursue their master’s degrees together as they shared an interest in counseling.
Returning to Langston
Mother and daughter set their sights on LU-Tulsa’s rehabilitation counseling program. After some initial hesitation, Cerita applied after being urged by Alexis, and they were both accepted into the Spring ‘22 cohort.
“My family was excited for me because they knew, at some point, I wanted to go back to school,” Cerita recalled. Their journey was supported wholeheartedly by family members, including Cerita’s husband, Harvel, who proudly shared the news with others.
Mother-Daughter Duo Magic
Throughout the two-year program, both women benefited from taking classes together, reinforcing their understanding of the material while supporting one another in their studies. Alexis assisted Cerita in adjusting to student life, sharing modern study techniques, and helping her navigate updated academic standards and technologies. In turn, Cerita provided wisdom and encouragement.
“Our relationship as students helped to reinforce what we were learning in the class,” Alexis expressed. “We were able to provide one another with output. And when you put two brains together, then you have a strengthened perspective.” Cerita noted, “It’s like old school with new school.”
Their academic journey came to fruition this spring as they graduated and celebrated their accomplishments together. With their degrees in hand, Cerita and Alexis are eager to enter the counseling field, equipped with the knowledge and skills to impact their communities positively.
This article draws from information provided by Langston University.
