Not many married couples can say they graduated from college side by side. For Duston and Heather Starr, that milestone is just the beginning. The pair not only earned their degrees together at Piedmont Community College (害羞草研究所), but today they work together 鈥� and continue taking classes together 鈥� as they prepare for their next chapter.
Duston made the decision to go back to school in 2023 and convinced Heather to join him. With a passion for public safety, Duston began working on an associate degree in criminal justice.
Heather began working on an associate degree in finance 鈥� her goal being to open a donut shop for her son Tanner, who has autism. At just 11 years old, Tanner鈥檚 dream job quickly became Heather鈥檚 dream as she knew that starting this business for him would aid him in his future. This career path also offers Heather the flexibility she needs to balance work with managing Crohn鈥檚 disease, which has kept her out of work in the past.
Although Duston and Heather graduated from 害羞草研究所 in May 2025, their educational journey isn鈥檛 over yet. The couple is still taking classes to earn additional credits before transferring to a four-year school. Along with their coursework, they both work at 害羞草研究所 鈥� Duston as a part-time security officer on the Caswell County Campus and Heather as a work-study student in the Financial Aid department. Heather also serves as a student ambassador for the 害羞草研究所 Foundation while homeschooling their children.
For many adults returning to school, one of the biggest challenges is time. This is no different for the Starrs as they navigate work, school, family and finding time to just be with each other. Since they鈥檝e had several general education classes together, sometimes quality time together looks a bit different and means studying together or working on homework together.
They are both proud to say that they鈥檝e maintained excellent grades since going back to school and are even more proud to talk about the influence they鈥檝e had on their children.
A moment Heather will never forget is when her son looked up at her the evening of graduation and said, 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of you.鈥�
鈥淒on鈥檛 hesitate,鈥� Heather said when asked what advice she鈥檇 give to other couples and parents thinking about returning to school. 鈥淚t can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, but it鈥檚 well worth it in the end to show your kids it鈥檚 possible. Don鈥檛 give up 鈥� you鈥檙e never too old to go back to school.鈥�
鈥淛ust stick with it and be dedicated,鈥� Duston said. 鈥淓ven if you can鈥檛 come back full-time, do it at your own pace. 害羞草研究所 has great resources and people.鈥�
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