Renna Upshaw Rockett earns degree at 46 years old.
After an 11-year break, Renna Upshaw Rockett felt “terrified” but decided that nothing was going to stop her from completing a degree.
“I was extremely afraid,” Rockett said. “It was such a big gap, but I wanted so badly to achieve my dream of finishing at a four-year college. I would be the first among all my brothers and sisters to do so.”
Rockett realized her dream in December 2021, when she earned a bachelor’s in multidisciplinary studies. She will participate in 2022 Commencement ceremonies in Oxford this month.
I was extremely afraid. It was such a big gap, but I wanted so badly to achieve my dream of finishing at a four-year college. I would be the first among all my brothers and sisters to do so.”
Hailing from Coffeeville, Rockett enrolled at Coahoma Community College in 1994 after having her first child. Life circumstances made college attendance difficult, and she left school.
Rockett was working at the North Mississippi Regional Center when her coworkers talked her into going back to school.
“They kept encouraging me to be a teacher,” said Rockett, who works at the Regional Center as secretary principal. “I applied to Northwest Mississippi Community College and did exceptionally well.
“I ended up with two associate degrees, one in office tech and one in general education. Then I finished and went back to work because I had to take care of my two children.”
More than a decade later in 2019, her coworkers persuaded her again to advance. This was not her only motivation; her children had completed their own educational journeys. Her daughter, Katie, had graduated with a bachelor’s in early childhood development from Delta State University. Her son, Darren, graduated from Lafayette High School with a career diploma.
Now it was Rockett’s turn.
“I got my acceptance letter that said I was going to be an Ole Miss Rebel,” she said. “When I came to orientation and registered, there really weren’t any evening classes I could take and I was going to have to take online courses.
“However, I was determined. It took a lot of praying, but we got me into some online classes.”
She appreciates the flexibility of the MDS program and was able to combine minors for three of her passions: education, history and sociology.
“A lot of jobs at the Regional Center require a four-year degree, and having one gives me an edge,” she said. “I love education and learning and teaching other people. I also love history and share that passion with my brother.
“Sociology was perfect for me because I love to know how people think and why people do what they do.”
Rockett struggled with fear and self-doubt, but nevertheless excelled in the classroom. She made connections with students and built relationships with instructors – she even went out of her way to send her music theater professor a “song of the week.” She was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Phi Sigma Theta, among other honors societies.
Rockett said that her biggest achievement, however, was simply “being able to go” because of the obstacles she had faced in the past.
Through it all, her family was there for her. Her daughter, in particular, was a source of reassurance. She read her mom’s papers and gave her a shoulder to cry on.
“My brothers, sisters and children are my biggest heroes,” Rockett said. “They kept me going and pushed me to the end. I told my brother Ira that I wanted to quit, and he said, ‘You can’t; I need you to finish.’ That helped me get through.”
Rockett said that she also appreciated her UM academic advisor and instructors that encouraged her as well.
“My advisor, Christie Rogers was such a supportive advisor, and Dr. Andrew Pfrenger was a tremendous instructor that prepared us students for the next journey as new graduates,” said Rockett.
Christie Rogers, academic counselor for multidisciplinary studies, applauds Rockett.
“Renna’s determination to finish her degree after so many years is a testament to her character,” Rogers said. “We are proud to have her as a graduate of the MDS program.”
Having experienced support from her coworkers, Rockett is returning the favor.
“I have talked to a coworker and I think she was further along in her coursework,” she said. “I told her that if I could do it, she could do it. And I would tell anyone that the multidisciplinary studies program is a great way to go.
“I’m grateful for my degree and so excited to see what the future holds for me.”
By Erin Garrett
