Mother and son to graduate together with Polk State AA degrees

Melissa Simon first enrolled in college a quarter-century before her son Stephen was born. On Thursday, however, they’ll be sitting next to one another as proud graduates of Polk State College.

The two will each receive their Associate in Arts degrees during the College’s 132nd commencement ceremony at the RP Funding Center. Melissa Simon spent 38 years in between college stints while Stephen Simon is a 19-year-old student at Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School.

“It’s been insane,” the son said. “I love my mom, but I’m not used to talking about school 24/7. We can sometimes go on for two or three hours talking about school.”

Two unique paths

Melissa Simon, 63, graduated from high school in Maryland in 1980. After spending time at Montgomery College and the University of Maryland, she walked away from college in 1986 without a degree. Following a career working in insurance in risk management and commercial underwriting, she decided to return to college and enroll at Polk State for the Fall 2024 Semester.

“I wanted to really push my son to make sure he got his degree,” Melissa Simon explained. “It’s been fun doing it together. We talk about our papers and whatnot. I’ve learned about resources that can help him. I wanted to show him that if I can do it, he can do it. It’s been a bonding experience.”

While both will walk as Associate in Arts graduates on Thursday, each will complete their degree during the Summer 2025 Semester. Melissa Simon has completed her degree exclusively online and appreciates the flexibility that Polk State provides.

“It’s very flexible and I could always find the courses I needed,” she explained. “When I started at 62, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be received. They treated my education with the same importance that I treated my education. Everyone I’ve worked with has been great.”

What lies ahead

Melissa Simon hopes to complete her bachelor’s degree online from the University of Florida in sociology and go on to earn a master’s. A guardian ad litem for the last six years, she and her husband, Tim, have a love for children. Both of their children are adopted. Her daughter, Emily Stansel, is a Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and University of North Florida graduate.

“My husband has been a big supporter of us this whole time we were in college,” she exclaimed. “We’ve always had a heart for children. I’d love to do family counseling. I’ve worked with a lot of families and really see the need.”

Born in Guatemala before being adopted, Stephen Simon wants to move on to the University of South Florida to major in marketing. His father has a marketing background, and his sister currently works in the field for Cox Media.

“I’d love to work in marketing for a video game company,” he said. “It’s something I really enjoy and there are a lot of ways to have fun with it when it comes to marketing and promoting products.”

Wearing two hats: student and mom

Melissa Simon’s year at Polk State provided her with a unique perspective. She not only gets to experience life as a college student, but also as the parent of a student in one of Polk State’s collegiate high schools.

“Gateway has been a wonderful school,” she noted. “The collegiate experience has been an excellent choice for both of my children. Gateway has a great support system. The principals and staff really take it personally and connect with each of their students. They really take them under their wings. Gateway teaches students how to be responsible for their own education.”

Among those mentioned in playing a pivotal role in Stephen Simon’s education were Principal Meesha Downing-Townsend, Assistant Principal Tania Chandler, Counselor Renee Portfilio, and Success Coach Lawerence Shipmon. Stephen Simon is a member of the school’s National Honor Society.

“Gateway has been fun. I’ve really enjoyed it,” he added. “The professors are great, and the staff is wonderful. They make class fun and let you be yourself. Dr. Downing-Townsend has really helped me personally. I have asthma and she has been really understanding of my situation.”

In addition to Lakeland Collegiate and Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, Gateway is one of three collegiate high schools. They allow students to earn an Associate in Arts and high school diploma simultaneously at no cost to them. For the 2023-24 Academic Year, about 70% of students across the three schools earned at least an AA to go with their diploma.

“It saved us two years of college tuition,” Melissa Simon added. “Kids at collegiate high schools are prepared for college and will have more success when they move on to four-year schools. They don’t have to be 4.0 (grade-point average) kids; they just have to have the want-to. With the faculty and staff, you won’t feel like you’re alone. It might seem a little scary at first, but it’s not. I’m very proud of Stephen. I’ve watched him grow from a high school student to a college student.”