AP 760: From Caretaker to College Grad: How Moms Can Reclaim Their Dreams Through Higher Ed || BONUS with Dr. Cedric Howard

About Progress

Cloud10

Health & Fitness, Education, Mental Health, Self-improvement

4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Cedric Howard about a topic that resonates deeply with many moms in our community: returning to school later in life. Dr. Howard shared powerful stories from his own family, illustrating the generational impact of pursuing higher education. We talked about the importance of embracing your role as a mom in the classroom and how those experiences can be your greatest asset, not a hindrance. Our conversation left me with a profound realization: education is not just for personal growth but can transform family legacies. If you've ever considered going back to school, take this as your sign to explore the possibilities. The journey may require some adjustments, but as Dr. Howard emphasized, it’s okay to be a little selfish with your education after years of being selfless. If you're ready to take that step, start by telling your story and showcasing the resilience and skills motherhood has instilled in you. Dr. Howard's book Here to Stay Drive: join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable! Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Full Show Notes Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, this is Monica Packer, and you're listening to About Progress, where we are about
0:09.6	progress made practical.
0:13.9	Is it too late for me to go back to school?
0:17.8	This is a question a lot of women bring up in our community.
0:22.3	Maybe they never went to college.
0:24.2	Maybe they started but they didn't get to finish.
0:27.3	Maybe they've always wondered about adding on a degree, a certification, or a training.
0:32.5	Regardless of why, women often declare they've had this nudge to return to higher ed.
0:38.3	But with that nudge comes a lot of insecurity.
0:42.2	Am I too old?
0:43.3	Will I fit in?
0:44.8	Will they even want someone like me?
0:47.5	Is this selfish?
0:49.2	Is it too late for me?
0:51.6	Today's guest, Dr. Cedric Howard, answers those questions with both professional
0:55.7	expertise and deeply personal conviction. He has spent decades overseeing college enrollment,
1:02.7	reviewing applications, and helping institutions build classes of students who don't just look good
1:07.6	on paper, but bring grit, resilience, and lived experience into the
1:11.5	classroom. And what he shares about women returning to school might surprise you. We talk about
1:17.6	why going back to school later in life is not selfish, it's strategic, how motherhood is actually
1:22.4	a superpower in the classroom, what admission officers are really looking for, practical steps to test the
1:28.4	waters before fully committing, and how education can be a way to renegotiate who you are,
	...

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