NC graduate Tara Gray initially returned school to advance her career. After more than 15 years working in healthcare administration, she enrolled at NC to gain new skills and expand her opportunities. Along the way, she discovered a genuine passion for learning.
Originally from Niagara Falls, Tara has completed several programs at NC, including Business, Pre-Community Services, and Office Administration. Most recently, she pursued the General Arts and Science program, where she excelled academically and earned the Dean’s Award for the School of Academic and Liberal Studies with an exceptional 97.13 per cent average for this Spring Convocation.
During her final semester, Tara welcomed a new baby while continuing her studies and maintaining outstanding grades, making her academic achievement even more admirable as she balanced her studies and motherhood.
As she prepares to celebrate convocation on June 8 alongside her fiancé, daughter and son, Tara reflects on her NC journey driven by curiosity, perseverance and a love of lifelong learning. This fall, she will continue her NC journey in the Project Management graduate certificate program.
Q&A with Tara Gray
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day, and what does it personally mean to you?
I am looking forward to convocation. It will be a meaningful opportunity to celebrate this accomplishment and reflect on everything that went into reaching this milestone.
Do you have any guests in the audience who will be cheering you on?
Yes. My fiancé, daughter and son will be in the audience cheering me on. Their support has meant everything to me throughout my educational journey, and I truly could not have accomplished this without them.
What were you doing before attending Niagara College?
I have worked in healthcare administration for more than 15 years. My initial goal in returning to school was to further my career by gaining additional education and skills. Over time, however, I discovered a genuine passion for learning and continued pursuing new educational opportunities.
Prior to this program, I completed several programs at Niagara College, including Business, Pre-Community Services and Office Administration.
What led you to study at Niagara College and choose the General Arts and Science program?
I chose the General Arts and Science program because it gave me the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects that genuinely interested me. There were many courses and topics I wanted to learn about that were not tied to a specific career-focused program, and General Arts and Science allowed me the flexibility to pursue those interests.
I have always enjoyed learning, and this program gave me the chance to broaden my knowledge while continuing to challenge myself academically.
What interests you in, or why are you passionate about, your field of study?
What I enjoy most about learning is the opportunity to continuously grow and challenge myself. I find it incredibly rewarding to work hard, gain new knowledge and achieve strong results.
Education has become something I genuinely love, and I am passionate about exploring different subjects and expanding my understanding of the world around me.
What did you find rewarding about your program and area of study?
One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was having the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects and topics that interested me. The flexibility of the program allowed me to learn for the sake of learning and continue expanding my knowledge.
Did you face and overcome any challenges to graduate?
Yes. One of my biggest challenges was balancing school with family responsibilities. During my final semester, I gave birth and was caring for a newborn while completing my studies.
Although it was a demanding time, I remained committed to my education and continued working toward my goals. Being able to maintain excellent grades while managing these responsibilities is something I am extremely proud of, and it makes receiving this award even more meaningful.
What’s next for you? Are you working toward a career goal or planning to pursue further education?
This September, I will be returning to Niagara College to begin the Project Management graduate certificate program.
I chose project management because I enjoy solving problems, staying organized and helping things run smoothly. I like working toward clear goals and finding solutions when challenges arise. I believe the program will allow me to build on my business background while developing leadership and project coordination skills that can be applied across many industries.
My goal is to build a fulfilling career in project management and apply the knowledge, skills and experiences I have gained throughout my education and professional career.
Any final thoughts you would like to share?
I am incredibly honoured to receive this award and grateful for the support I have received throughout my time at Niagara College. I look forward to continuing my educational journey and applying what I have learned to future opportunities.
