A mum who paused her final year of university to have a baby hopes her graduation will act as inspiration to her daughter in future.
Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student Rachael Fuller celebrated completing her BA (Hons) Criminology degree alongside Mia – who is now two years old – at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh today (Friday 10 July).
Rachael was able to take time away from her studies after discovering she was pregnant, then returned to complete the course, including a dissertation which focused on the role of female prison officers.
The 23-year-old from Falkirk now hopes to use the knowledge and skills she has developed at ENU to work on programmes aimed at preventing youth crime.
She has paid particular thanks to lecturers and family for supporting her around the arrival of her daughter.
Rachael said: “I wasn’t expecting to have Mia when I was in fourth year, but I felt really supported.
“My lecturers were always asking how I was getting on. They were so good.
“It was nerve-racking going back with a one-and-a-half-year-old, but my family helped out a lot. They let me focus on my uni work when I had to.
“It feels emotional to be finishing. When you have a child, you have a different outlook on life.
“I wrote a dedication to Mia in the acknowledgements of my dissertation.
“I hope I’ve shown that she can do whatever she put her mind to when she grows up.”
Rachael is now looking ahead to the next chapter, with her daughter by her side.
“I’ve always been interested in helping people,” she added. “The steps that can be taken to prevent youth crime have always struck me as being important.
“The degree helped me learn about so many different things – modules like psychology and law weren’t always what I expected.
“I think it’s really good that you can stay in touch with the University once you’ve graduated. I feel like I can always reach out.”
Madison graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Sciences.
ENU’s summer graduation ceremonies are being held at the Usher Hall between 8-10 July.