Determined to succeed: Tasha Barber’s non-traditional road to graduation

For Tasha Barber, graduation is not just a personal milestone; it is a story all about determination and not giving up. Her path has been anything but traditional, which is what makes her journey so unique.

Prior to attending Augusta University, Barber was a dental assistant for 15 years and in the military for five. She found herself unable to continue in a profession she had dedicated so much time to due to personal injuries she had sustained. Barber decided to return to school, set on expanding her horizons, whether that be in the dental field or not.

“I wanted to set an example for my children,” Barber said, “No matter what stage in life you’re at, it’s never too late to learn.”

Barber spent so long in the dental field, she realized she never really understood the business side of it, and that is why she chose to attend Augusta University’s nationally-ranked James M. Hull College of Business.

A non-traditional student and mother who had her first child at 19, Barber knew her experience would not be the typical college-right-after-high-school journey that many others experience. So, she was even more committed to making the most of every moment, driving her to become deeply involved on campus.

She joined Hull’s Women’s Leadership Academy, initially hoping to build a professional network. There she found mentors, lifelong friends and a supportive community that encouraged her time and time again. Barber gained leadership experience by being a part of the Student Veterans of America Executive Board, connecting with students who share similar backgrounds and experiences as her.

“I needed like-minded people I could relate to,” Barber said, and, through SVA, she found them.

In addition to academics and clubs, Barber has been working as a work-study student in Augusta University’s Military and Veterans Services Office, learning the ins and outs of military education benefits.

Off campus, Barber interned with the nonprofit CSRA Youth Photography and Fine Arts Society. That internship fit perfectly for her between classes, work and being a mom as it allowed for flexibility and creative autonomy and gave her a chance to give back to the community through the arts – something she is extremely passionate about.

Barber has also been able to get involved with the Southern Cities Swing Tour during her time at AU, joining AU’s First and Second Year Experience office on trips to Charlotte and Greenville. She also visited the Chambers of Commerce for the first time and was able to connect with a network of leaders outside Augusta.

Throughout her experience at Augusta University, Barber says Stacy Roberts, DBA, not only helped her grow academically, but also created a space for her to grow as a student and create a community inside and outside AU.

Looking forward, Barber is planning to find a career that encompasses all her passions but with a healthy work-life balance, crediting her successes so far to the support of her children. At one point, they were all doing homework together, attending classes and studying, and pushing one another toward successes they did not even realize.

“We were all on our own educational journeys at the same time, and they were my biggest cheerleaders,” she said.

When she crosses the stage at graduation, Barber will demonstrate that, with enough determination, no goal is too far out of reach, and it is never too late to re-route your journey.