UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is thrilled to announce Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management student, Maureen Leahey, has been named this year’s UPCEA Outstanding Professional, Continuing, And/Or Online Education Student.
As a survivor of traumatic domestic abuse and as a single mother, Leahey’s daughter was the preeminent factor in her decision to return to school. “Before starting this incredible academic journey, I sat down with my 9 year old daughter, Trinity, and explained that UVA has an incredible program for me to complete my degree,” recalls Leahey, adding, “We discussed how home life might be a little different since I would be doing classes in a virtual setting, but that I would always be readily available for her. As a mother, it is important to ensure she does not feel like she is cast aside or falling through the cracks since it is just the two of us, facing life’s opportunities and challenges together.”
Leahey shares why she decided to return to school:
- Transcript for Maureen's Video
-
11 years ago I was in grad school studying to be a chiropractor and um a life changing event happened that caused me to leave school and pack everything up and move back to Virginia for safety reasons and once I was able to uh settle and find some clarity is when I was able to start focusing on going back to school to finish what I started many years ago. When I started to think about going back to school, it was finding uh a university that had the credibility that would support, you know, as a single mother the flexibility with school and work. I'd say like the biggest challenge was uh making sure I had the time available and that um the dedication I was committing to school was not going to sacrifice my role as a mother. Since being in school it's been wonderful actually the advisor that I have is almost like a life coach rolled up in with a mentor because of his background helps me direct like my career and future growth as far as like the high points. It would be things like being recognized for being a, a good student. Um, to me it's just I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. If I'm spending the time taking time away from my daughter, then I have to like be as as good as I could possibly be. I decided to go back to school because I knew that I had um an associate's under my belt already uh all these extra credits and deciding what to do with it. I knew getting my bachelor's was ultimately what I needed for um any career movement going back to school at my age. It provides a lot more focus and dedication. The focus that I have is to the point where I bring books to and from like practice for my daughter, whatever sports that she's doing during the throughout the year, and I'll sit and read in the car, um, just that I'm making the best use of my time. Ultimately it's just to provide for my daughter, give us a better life so we can buy a house one day and have a dog and. A leopard gecko. Coming into this program with uh leadership skills already under my belt and having been a mentor in the workplace, it just made sense to step into a role as a peer mentor when asked. I found myself in a position to sign up for the UJC, which is a university judiciary Committee, as a representative for our program, and that has been extremely rewarding. So this is my why I mean when you're a parent you're supposed to like give everything that you can for your children so she is a gift that was given to me from God and I promise to take care of her to the best of my ability and and education is what helps me get there. I think it's really nice that she's in school and that it's really good for her and good for me that I have a role model like her she's willing to put down the work for something and she's always nice and thinking about others, which makes me really proud. I think it's really nice that she's going back to school because of my mom. I think I'm also gonna go to UVA too. I'm very proud of my mom.
As Leahey has persevered through the program, she has continued to carry the full weight of professional, student and mother. An incredible heart and the determination she musters every day has helped her thrive in all roles. And now, as Leahey sets her eyes on graduation in May 2027, signs of her success bloom all around her. Trinity is an honor-roll student and multi-sport athlete. Leahey herself been inducted into the University of Virginia’s prestigious Raven society and named as an Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society scholarship recipient in recognition of her excellence in academics, dedication to volunteerism, and demonstrated leadership.
As the preeminent Online and Professional Education Association, UPCEA’s 2026 Outstanding Student award stands as an additional testament to Leahey’s resilience in the face of life-altering challenges and pursuit of excellence.