Going to school with your mom could be fun, right? While this may not be what every student envisions when they head off to college, for Monik Dehart and her two daughters Viviana and Ilenia, attending Utah Tech University is a family affair.

As a nontraditional student, Monik’s journey through college has been challenging. For the last two and a half years, she has juggled being a full-time student while also being a full-time mom. “I decided to go to school because I became a single parent,” Monik said. “I just wanted to do more and be able to get a job that earned more money so that I could be financially stable and support my family’s dreams and passions.”

After earning her associate degree in May 2024 from Utah Tech University, Monik thought she was done with school. That’s when she realized she could do much more, and she started working toward a bachelor’s degree in communication.

One of Monik’s favorite things about being a nontraditional student is being able to show younger students that age is just a number. “I’m taking twenty-one credits, and three of them are classes that take my mind off of school,” she said with a smile. “I try to be active, so when my daughter Viviana said ‘Mom, let’s do tennis together,’ I said sure because it gave me the chance to spend time with her.”

This tennis class has become a bonding experience for the mother-daughter duo, giving them opportunities to interact with each other as peers. “I love how everyone in the class really enjoys having her around,” Viviana said. “Even though the age difference is there, you can’t see it much. It doesn’t matter. You’re still there having fun with other individuals who are older or younger than you.”

Along with her tennis class, Monik takes a pickleball class and a yoga class, both of which help her cope with the stresses that come from being a mother and a student. “Staying physically active is a positive thing that we should all do,” she said. “It not only helps us physically but also mentally.”

Monik’s example has had a positive influence on her daughters, and her attitude, positive outlook, and determination have inspired her fellow students.

“My mom has taught me that anything is possible,” Ilenia said. “I admire that she is going to college at her age. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to college or not. But seeing my mom—the number of assignments she is completing and the number of credits she is taking—makes me believe that if she can do it, I can do it as well.”

For more information about Utah Tech University, visit utahtech.edu.