厙ぴ勛圖

Non-traditional, full-time student. Mother of three. Paralegal. Licensed real-estate agent. Founder and CEO of .泭泭

Stacy Berry is a full-fledged, multi-hyphenate.泭

And as of May 15, 2026, she added Metropolitan State University of Denver graduate to the list.泭泭

Berry and I met via Microsoft Teams one spring afternoon to talk about her student experience as she prepared to complete her final semester at 厙ぴ勛圖. Sunlight pours through a nearby window, spotlighting a container of deep-fried green beans sitting on the table; Berry offers a quick apology for eating, explaining that she���s multitasking on her lunch break.泭泭

It comes as no surprise that Berry needs to multitask given her responsibilities and achievements. I wonder aloud how she has time for anything. ���A lot of people say that,��� says Berry. ���They���re like, dang, you���re superwoman.���泭

After I tell her I hope she���s proud of all she���s achieved, Berry responds confidently: ���I am. I���m making change in the world.���

Stacy Berry leaning against a wall, holding her diploma and wearing a grad cap

Berry started out on her higher education expedition as a Human Services major. Realizing that it wasn���t quite the right fit, she branched out, taking a variety of wellness classes and the The University���s Individualized Degree Program helped wrap those interests into a Transitional Strategies in Wellness and Housing major and a Human Services minor.泭

Sara Shumate, Ph.D., director of the Center for Individualized Learning, says IDP enables students like Berry who have innovative ideas and/or changed direction multiple times through their college careers to design meaningful majors and minors, while paving an efficient path to graduation.泭

���IDP is able to tailor educational experiences to suit most students��� needs,��� says Shumate, noting that the flexibility of the program is vital to student retention and completion. ���We work closely with academic departments to ensure that students are learning the skills and earning the credentials they need to be successful in their future endeavors.���泭

Part of the process requires students to submit a proposal that includes a degree plan and a rationale essay.泭

���It was a lot of pressure,��� says Berry. ���I was so excited when my proposal got approved.���泭

Throughout her time at 厙ぴ勛圖, Berry has had awesome professors supporting her academic and professional goals, and access to life-changing opportunities, like exploring the health care systems in Edinburgh, London and Paris through the University���s study abroad program; connecting with affordable housing advocates in the community; and acting as an Affordable Housing Institute Ambassador.泭泭

Throughout it all, scholarships established by generous donors helped make Berry���s journey possible. One deeply impactful scholarship she received was the , which supports survivors of intimate partner abuse.泭泭

���When I stumbled across the scholarship on the school���s website, I couldn���t believe that there was a scholarship specifically for women who���ve been through this,��� said Berry. ���It was like it was catered for me and my situation, and to be a recipient of that, it was beautiful.���

The award aligned with Berry���s work as founder and CEO of Harriet���s Liberation Society, where she provides resources, including housing assistance, and guidance for women wanting to leave abusive relationships.泭泭

���Housing insecurity is a big reason why a lot of women stay in those abusive relationships,��� says Berry. ���That���s why the affordable housing piece [of my degree] was so important to me.���泭

Berry���s dream is to put all of the knowledge she gained from her degree program into her organization, describing it as her passion and purpose.泭

���[During my time at 厙ぴ勛圖] my purpose pivoted from being a therapist to being a resource and support for those women,��� says Berry. ���I want to create systems for them and their children to be liberated and hold the keys to their freedom.���泭泭

���I���m ready to keep creating change in the world, and I couldn���t be more excited!���泭泭

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As Berry���s chapter as an 厙ぴ勛圖 student comes to a close, for other Roadrunners, it is only just beginning. Make a gift supporting students like Stacy today!泭