After having her first daughter at just 13 years old and not being able to read until the sixth grade, Michelle has demonstrated incredible perseverance and determination throughout her life. Overcoming those challenges and more, Michelle Padgett is now graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Community and Leadership Development (CLD) from the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and will celebrate at the university’s December 2024 commencement ceremony.

“It doesn’t seem real. It’s a dream I’ve had my entire life,” Padgett said. “I’m excited to be graduating. My youngest and middle daughter will graduate high school and college in 2025. I am setting an example, showing them that I was able to do it.”

Padgett credits many people for the support and encouragement that has contributed to her being a first-generation college graduate. Growing up in Waynesburg, Kentucky, Padgett’s mother instilled a deep sense of determination and confidence in her. While Padgett worked two jobs and attended high school full time, her mother helped care for her first granddaughter, allowing Pagett to finish her high school diploma.

In high school, Padgett’s Arts and Humanities teacher, Stephanie Melton, encouraged resiliency and sparked the idea that college was achievable. Ten years later, as a mother of four, Padgett decided to follow Melton’s advice and pursue her Associate of Arts degree at Somerset Community College. During her studies, Padgett’s husband became injured, and she had to figure out how to balance work, academics and her family.

“It was survival mode for me at that time,” Padgett said.

Feeling the uncertainty around COVID 19, Padgett was inspired to prioritize opportunities that sparked joy in her life. She began working for the Lincoln County UK Cooperative Extension office, which matched her “servant’s heart” and “desire to empower others.” Padgett was not yet qualified to reach her ultimate career goal of becoming a Family and Consumer Science (FCS) extension agent, which pushed her to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Utilizing UK’s Employee Education Program, Padgett was able to take advantage of tuition benefits available for eligible faculty and staff.

During her time at UK, Padgett’s husband was another huge supporter. He bought her a frame for her future degree and always encouraged her. This helped fuel Padgett to press forward, despite the challenges and uncertainty.

“In the evenings, I would try to be present with my husband and children,” Padgett said. “There are times when I wanted to give up, but I wanted to inspire my children and empower others.”

Although her job at the extension office helped fund her education, there were still other financial responsibilities. With the encouragement of her advisors, Padgett applied and earned a scholarship from the UK Women’s Club. This helped alleviate the additional financial stress on her family and helped her stay in school.

“I could breathe,” Padgett said. “I was able to get through it. They will never understand how much that [the scholarship] meant.”

In her CLD classes, Padgett was able to dive deeper into how exactly she could help others. She highlighted the courses she took with CLD professor Daniel Kahl, which became an inspiration for the work she currently does and aims to do. She initiated the Leadership Lincoln County program and intends to continue it on an annual basis.

In the future, Padgett hopes to pursue a master's degree and become an FCS extension agent or find a job in community engagement and leadership. Pursuing another degree will be an additional challenge for Padgett, but this will not deter her.

“I love to learn, and I like a challenge,” Padgett said. “My degree is my reward.”

As Padgett reflects on this journey, she offers advice for those who might think their path is too difficult.

“Don’t give up,” Padgett said. “Keep at it because nothing is easy. If it was easy, everybody would have it. Take time for yourself and learn how to be flexible but always keep going.” 

To learn more about the community and leadership development department at Martin-Gatton CAFE, visit https://cld.ca.uky.edu/.

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Writer: Zoey Ortega, zoey.ortega@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.