Class of 2026: At 61, Celia Cooper has truly earned her degree

By Haley Tenore

After putting her family first for four decades, Celia Cooper is fulfilling a promise she had made to herself: that she would go back to school and get her college degree.

"Finally, since 1982," she said. "I am now 61 years old. I had to keep checking myself if it was happening - graduating from college."

And Cooper's journey at Virginia Commonwealth University will continue. After earning her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies this spring from University College, she will begin work on her master's from the School of Social Work.

It's been a long time coming.

From a small town in South Carolina, Cooper graduated from high school and took her first course at nearby Benedict College in 1982. During her third year there, she married and moved to Norfolk to be with her husband, who was in the Navy. Her college career went on hold.

"I ended up having my daughter, and I wanted to go back to school. That was my intention when I came to Virginia: to start school again," Cooper said. "But my daughter was important to me, and finding a school that would allow me to continue working did not work out. So, focusing on my family was my priority.

"Then along came another daughter - and I ended up with four daughters."

Online courses weren't an option in that era, but Cooper instilled the importance of education on her four daughters and other youths whom she took in and mentored - and who have found success in the workplace and the military.

Her oldest daughter, Loreisha, earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and her master's in urban education from Norfolk State University and works as a high school counselor. Her second daughter, Serena, graduated from Howard University, served in the United States Army for 13 years as an officer, and is now a retired military veteran in Colorado working as a government analyst. Her third daughter, Catherine, graduated from Hampton University and works as an analyst with a private company. Her youngest daughter, Kourtney, graduated from Virginia State University and now works as a financial advisor.

Serena Cooper recalls her mother's journey as a gifted student who joined Army ROTC at Benedict College - and then constantly put her children first.

"I watched as this brilliant woman turned down career opportunities that would have paid her what she was worth, simply because those jobs would have forced her to choose between work and being there for her children," Serena said.

"Through it all, she relentlessly stressed the importance of education. As a young child, I never understood the depth of her conviction. It wasn't until I was two weeks from my own high school graduation that she shared her story with me. Just before I was set to go to college myself and, ironically, joined the Army ROTC program, she told me that she, too, had once been a cadet with a dream of becoming an officer."

Cooper's dream evolved into returning to school, and she is pursuing a field she is passionate about: social work. She first attended Limestone University, a private women's school in South Carolina that shut down. That led Cooper to transfer to VCU, where she has taken courses virtually from her home.

"There were times when I didn't think I could do the work. When I came to VCU, I started summer courses because I didn't want to get off track," Cooper said. "It's really been tough for me. But through raising kids, other people's kids, taking care of my mom, everyone else - and now it's my turn. I'm not used to the attention."

Cooper not only made dean's list for the fall 2025 semester. She also advocated for the Interdisciplinary Studies Program in University College to publish its dean's list online. The program has moved to publishing the list, and Cooper spoke of the joy that it brought her to see others like her who have worked hard being recognized for their efforts.

Cooper will attend the spring commencement ceremony in Richmond, and when she walks across the stage, she will wear a "You First at VCU" pin, signifying first-generation college graduates. But for her, the pin also represents decades of perseverance and never giving up on a dream.

After she finishes her graduate program in the School of Social Work, Cooper hopes to work in clinical social work, advocating for children involved in the child welfare system. She enjoys being a voice for children and helping them find successful career paths.

"I know that children really need someone to advocate for them. And it's not just because I'm going to school now for it, but it was something that I've always done," Cooper said. "That is really what brings me joy - when I'm in contact with someone, and being able to make a visible difference."