It’s a family affair! 27-year-old Iesha Gully, her father, 45-year-old Commondre Cole, and younger brother, 25-year-old Ja’Coby just graduated from Mississippi State University-Meridian with masters degrees in education at the same time!
All three of them are in education. Iesha is a second grade inclusion teacher, Commondre is a health teacher at Northwest Middle School and Ja’Coby currently serves as a physical education teacher at Oakland Heights Elementary.
Iesha credits her mother with encouraging them all to return to school. “Well, my mom [Jessica], she’s really like the push behind all of us,” Iesha told reporters. During their studies, the trio leaned on each other and their pursuits turned into a friendly competition which kept them motivated.
“We were taking like some of the same classes. So we were studying together, trying to get ready for mid-terms and final exams…so it was a blessing at the end of the day,” said Iesha. “Family is everything. You always got to have someone watching your back, keep on you,” Ja’Coby added.
Commondre’s big advice after achieving such an incredible milestone is to “Strive big, and keep going.”
Congratulations to this beautiful family! #BWLM💕
📸: Lisa Sollie/-Mississippi State University-Meridian/Associated Press
