Never Too Late to Graduate

When Linda Allen graduated from the University of Washington in June, she was cheered on by her children, their spouses, and four grandchildren — two of whom are Husky alumni. At age 83, Allen earned her BA in Integrated Social Sciences (ISS), an online bachelor’s degree program in the UW College of Arts & Sciences. The program is designed for working professionals and other learners of all ages.

Allen started college in 1959 in West Virginia, completing a certificate of dental hygiene and working as a dental hygienist for six years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She later worked full time. Two years ago, she enrolled in the ISS program to focus fully on academics. Here she answers a few questions about her ISS experience.

Why were you interested in completing your degree at this point in your life?

It has always been a dream of mine. In the early 1990s, after a divorce and a move to the Seattle area, I took some classes through the [now defunct] UW Evening Degree Program with the thought of finishing a degree. But working full time with a teenager still at home, I felt that I was putting too much pressure on myself and decided to not continue my education at that time. I sometimes say that the reason I didn't finish my degree was that life got in the way — but every part of that life has been special.   

Why did you choose the Integrated Social Sciences program? 

First, I really wanted to finish my degree from a prestigious university. When I was ready to retire (for the last time), I started looking at programs at the UW. I had moved from Bellevue to Ferndale to be closer to my daughter and son-in-law, so the online ISS program appealed to me, and I was fascinated by the integrated nature of the program. I realized this program would let me study various issues from different perspectives.   

What area of study in ISS has interested you the most?

When I started the program, I was interested in women's rights, climate change, poverty, and homelessness.  I quickly narrowed my focus to the crisis that is facing our natural environment. Since I feel that it was my generation and those generations that followed mine who were the ones to create our current environmental issues, I feel it is also our responsibility to start finding ways to slow and reduce the damage.

What has surprised you about the ISS program?

I found that, as an online program, ISS offered the advantage of interacting with a diverse group of students. I especially loved the discussion forums and felt that, in many ways, students were more willing to ask and answer questions than they might have been in an in-person setting.

My academic journey has taken many twists and turns but these last two years in the ISS program have been exciting, eye-opening, sometimes frustrating, but always meaningful. The fact that the UW College of Arts & Sciences has embraced an online program like ISS is gratifying. The caliber of my education has been top-notch. 

What would you tell others who think it’s too late to go back to school?

Learn more about the UW Integrated Social Sciences program.