EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University prides itself on being an institution of opportunity. A great example is an opportunity for a mother-daughter duo to share the same graduation day. On Saturday, Aug. 13, Dr. Kimberly Brown graduated with her doctorate in education studies, while her daughter, Kyra Brown, graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work.

The pair had no idea they would share the same stage until both realized they were working at a steady pace in preparation for graduation. Before they knew it, the mother-daughter duo was eligible to graduate on the same date. According to Kimberly, "it was just a wonderful coincidence."

Kimberly currently serves as assistant director of the McNair Scholars Program at Eastern, where she works with undergraduate students from first-generation, low-income and underrepresented families. She describes her work with EMU McNair as fuel for her passion and purpose to be an advocate for helping students overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers to obtaining higher education degrees. Kyra works as a parenting time support services worker at Orchard Children’s Services.

“A graduation is a celebratory event that marks the culmination of many years of hard work, but to share this moment with my daughter has made this cap and gown ceremony most memorable,” said Kimberly.

"It was such an exciting experience to share the stage with my mom because she has always been there for me,” said Kyra. “It almost felt like fate that we were to walk the stage together, especially because it was not planned. I look forward to a future that includes her and more adventures."

Kimberly plans to continue with the EMU McNair Scholars Program while furthering the development of her business, KJB Educational Consulting, an agency that provides data analytics and evaluation for grant-sponsored programs in southeastern Michigan.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.