Grandma, 58, to Graduate Cañada College After Seven Years

When Susan Hemstreet walks into classrooms, she is often mistaken for the professor. But age differences between her and her classmates, she insists, only add to the 58-year-old’s unique, seven-year experience pursuing an associate’s degree.

In 2004, the Executive Administrative Assistant at Agilent Technologies decided to finally head back to school, a life-long goal that always seemed to stumble upon obstacles and poor timing. But with a slow and steady schedule of one class a semester, Hemstreet is on track to graduate in May.

“I always had it in my head that I was going back,” Hemstreet said. “I had the grades after high school, I just didn’t know where to begin in attending college.”

After high school, Hemstreet soon married her husband, Larry, and had children. Timing was an inconvenience and her brief stints at Foothill College never amounted to completion. But she said once she and her husband became empty-nesters, she could finally focus on herself.

“I was just so excited for the sake of learning,” Hemstreet said. “Someone of my age who heads back to school is going for the knowledge.”

Like any other student, Hemstreet took classes in sociology, astrology and algebra. She recalled poignant moments during her political science class in 2008 during the election. Proposition 8 divided the state, on which the majority of voters eventually approved the California Marriage Protection Act. Hemstreet, the only student in the class with a child, shared her experience of having a gay daughter.

“I was crying, but it was an opportunity I had as one of the few parents to say something,” she said. “It’s these moments that shape a college experience.”

As with any college experience, the relationships and dialogues are a two-way street.

“It’s invigorating because I learn from them as well,” Susan added. “I’ve always been part of study groups and made friends in every single class.”

But unlike the typical college experience, Hemstreet’s husband was usually by her side taking the classes with her.

“We did it together, that’s what made it special,” Susan said.

“It was great to bring life experiences into the classroom and put a mature spin on lecture contributions,” Larry, 64, said. “Usually there isn’t much exchange between students and professors in the classroom.”

Though he had already received specialized degrees, Larry wanted to attend the classes because he said that they were an “atypical” couple and actually enjoyed each other's company because they were good friends.

“I’m just so proud of her, particularly now when she’s so close to the end,” Larry said.

Acquiring any degree is no easy task and both Susan and Larry said much sacrifice was involved. Susan was not able to join Larry on a one-week vacation to visit their daughter in Europe just so she could study for her algebra class.

“And at night, we turn off the TV and focus on completing our homework,” Larry said. “We can’t afford any distractions.”

And the no-TV rule will continue to be in effect for at least a few more years. Susan plans to ultimately acquire her bachelor’s degree.

“I’ll probably take a year off,” she said. “But I’m not stopping here.”