Never Too Late: How Lisa Harper Turned an Unfinished Dream into a Multiple-Degree Journey 

When Lisa Harper took the stage as the Fall 2025 student commencement speaker, she represented more than academic achievement. Her journey embodies the spirit of determination, resilience, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, which is a message that resonates deeply within the Bryant & Stratton College community. 

A Journey Nearly 24 Years in the Making 

Lisa’s career in healthcare began more than two decades ago as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a role she dedicated herself to for 11 years. Throughout those years of caring for patients and honing her skills, she carried an unfinished dream. Years earlier, she had attempted to complete LPN school, but life circumstances intervened, forcing her to put that goal on hold. 

“I always knew there was more for me to do, and I knew I had to return to school,” Lisa reflected. 

That mindset became the foundation of an extraordinary academic journey that would see her walk across the commencement stage for Bryant & Stratton College Richmond campus not once, not twice, but three times to receive her credentials. In 2023, she earned her Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma. Just one year later, in 2024, she completed her Health Services Administration Associates degree. And now, in 2025, she celebrates the achievement that once seemed out of reach: her Practical Nursing Diploma. 

Balancing Dreams and Responsibilities 

Lisa’s academic accomplishments become even more remarkable when you consider her roles outside the classroom. As a proud mother of three and grandmother of eight, she has managed to balance family responsibilities with the rigorous demands of her studies, which is a true testament to the time management practices she credits as essential to her success. 

“My time at Bryant & Stratton College helped me by requiring discipline, professionalism, and patience,” Lisa explained. “Time management, research, teamwork, and critical thinking were needed to pass this program, and it is also needed to be successful in my career.” 

True to her lifelong learning mindset, Lisa isn’t done yet. She has plans to return to school to earn her BSN, continuing the educational journey that has already brought her so far. 

The Power of Passionate Educators 

When asked about her experience at Bryant & Stratton College, Lisa’s gratitude for her educators shines through. She emphasizes that her professors and clinical instructors made lasting impressions because of their knowledge, their genuine passion for teaching, and commitment to student success. 

“They all shared passion and desire to teach and make a difference,” said Lisa. “They enjoyed their jobs, were full of knowledge and eagerness to teach us, and they wanted us to get the material.” 

This culture of support and encouragement clearly resonated with Lisa, helping her develop not just clinical skills, but the professional attributes that define excellence in nursing. 

Lessons Beyond the Textbooks 

While Lisa’s classroom learning provided essential knowledge and credentials, some of her most valuable lessons came from the core principles at Bryant & Stratton College. She speaks passionately about the importance of professionalism, respect, and integrity in healthcare. 

“Professionalism and respect are needed to be successful in this field,” Lisa noted. “Your attitude is a very strong non-verbal communication skill and speaks volumes regarding your character. Integrity is very important in life and goes hand in hand with honesty.” 

Her advice to her fellow students and future healthcare professionals is both practical and profound: “Do not be the person that you complain about.” It’s a reminder that we all have the power to shape the culture of our workplaces and our professions through our daily choices and actions. 

An Honor and a Message 

Being selected as the alumni commencement speaker holds deep meaning for Lisa. “It is an honor. I feel proud and accomplished. I feel humbled,” she shares. “It means being supported, heard, and seen for my hard work.” 

Her message to fellow graduates comes from lived experience, from someone who faced setbacks, who balanced seemingly impossible responsibilities, who never lost sight of what she knew she was meant to do. Lisa Harper’s story reminds us that the path to our goals may not be straight or easy, but with perseverance, support, and belief in ourselves, we can achieve what once seemed impossible. 

Congratulations, Lisa, on this well-deserved honor! Your journey inspires us all.