School of Social Work student earns her bachelor’s degree after 30 years

By Mike Porter

Valerie Thornhill graduated from Huguenot High School in June 1979. And while her friends may have been thinking about enjoying one last summer of fun before heading to college or starting their careers, Valerie was very serious about getting a jump on her college education. Within weeks, she was enrolled in the summer program at VCU.

She hadn’t decided on a major but was interested in a career in social work. Her college experience was not unlike many of her peers, until she met the love of her life.

“While I was at VCU, I met and married a wonderful man,” she said. Valerie married Eric Mack on May 9, 1981.

It didn’t take long for children to become part of the family. By the end of the year, she dropped out of school after becoming pregnant with her first child. Eric, Jr., now 27, was soon joined by Shakira, Erica, Lashaunda and Ariel, who now range in age from 25 to 11. Valerie’s dream of a college degree was put on hold.

“Once I had children, my perspective changed. I felt compelled to put my children first.  Their needs became more important than my own. I don’t feel like I sacrificed when I look at how my children turned out,” Mack said.

On Saturday, a 30-year dream will finally be realized when Valerie Mack receives her diploma.

The three decades were a busy time. Eric works for CSX railroad and in those early years, his job required him to travel out-of-state frequently. The years flew by, and like many moms, Valerie led a hectic life of shuttling children and supporting them at sporting events, cheerleading competitions and scouting. 

She thought about college from time to time and even completed a program at John Tyler Community College in 1990. By then, she was working full time as a substitute school teacher.

In the 1990s, she would come back to VCU and take a class every now and then, but life was just too busy to do more. 

Valerie had become an instructional assistant in special education in the Chesterfield County Public Schools. She spent more and more time counseling students and she started recognize it was more important than ever to get a degree.

“You know, I wanted a career where I could help people.  And I kept asking myself do I need a degree to help people?  For a long time, I thought I didn’t, but I began to realize that I did,” Mack said.

Still, she had doubts. She hadn’t been a fulltime student for a long time. Her children needed her. Her students needed her. Valerie turned to her husband for advice.

“Having a supportive husband has made all the difference in the world. My husband was adamant.  He said you need to do this,” Mack said.

So in 2006, she decided to go back to school fulltime to get a bachelor’s degree in social work.  She enrolled at VCU for the spring 2007 semester.

After two-and-a-half years of fulltime focus on college classes, Valerie Mack will graduate.

“I’m sort of still numb about the whole thing.  I keep asking myself ‘is this really finally happening?’ But it feels good. It feels very good,” Mack said.

Mack will next pursue a master’s degree in social work at VCU.  She promises it won’t take another 30 years to finish that.

“Oh no it won’t! I’ve been accepted into the advanced standing program at VCU which allows me to get a master’s degree in one year. So while I’m graduating on Saturday, I’ll be back at VCU on May 27 to take my first master’s classes,” she said.

And after she completes the program, Mack will go back to what she does best, helping others.

 “I want to inspire children and motivate them. I want to let them know that education will make a difference in their lives. If I can make a difference in the life of one child, then my living hasn’t been in vain,” Mack said.