Daughter Helps Father Finally Finish College Degree
- Sierra Parzyck earned a bachelor's in human resource management with a minor in East Asian studies in 2024 and completed her MBA this year at age 22.
- Stephen Parzyck had spent years pursuing his degree while his children urged him to reach the finish line.
- For Sierra Parzyck, guiding her father across the academic finish line fulfilled a long-held family goal.
Sierra Parzyck earned a bachelor’s in human resource management with a minor in East Asian studies in 2024 and completed her MBA this year at age 22. Her academic acceleration began when she noticed an oversight in her father Stephen Parzyck’s graduation requirements, prompting a family push that ultimately helped him finish his own higher education.
A Daughter Spots the Missing Courses for Graduation
Stephen Parzyck had spent years pursuing his degree while his children urged him to reach the finish line. The turning point arrived when Sierra Parzyck reviewed his academic path and identified a straightforward adjustment.
Do you realize that if you change your education plan to general education, you would graduate by taking only three additional courses?
The realization provided immediate motivation for Stephen Parzyck to complete his studies. I got all excited because I just wanted to finish my degree,
he said. I was adamant that my children finish [their] degrees, and I didn’t want to end up being a hypocrite.
I said, ‘Let’s get it done.’
Accelerating Studies and Crediting Faculty Support
For Sierra Parzyck, guiding her father across the academic finish line fulfilled a long-held family goal. My family and I had spent so many years trying to push him and motivate him to finish school,
she said, adding that assisting him was like a dream come true.
To manage her own ambitious workload, Sierra Parzyck transferred college-level coursework completed during high school and maintained a full course load, crediting academic guidance for helping her balance the heavy schedule.
Stephen Parzyck also pointed to institutional support as vital to his success, highlighting a close friendship formed with UMGC history professor Cord Scott. We became really close friends,
Stephen Parzyck said. I’ve known Cord Scott since I took my last [required course] with him and never stopped talking to him.
Following her dual graduations, Sierra Parzyck is now exploring opportunities to continue her education.