ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thousands of college students across New York are taking the next big step into adult life. Graduation marks a time of accomplishment. For one family from the Rochester area, accomplishment means overcoming struggles and celebrating goals.  

There’s not much activity on the Monroe Community College campus these days. Such is life at the end of the semester. And Tracy McKinney is fine with that.

“It is very quiet,” said McKinney, as she worked behind the front desk at MCC’s Student Life office. “But this is when we get a lot of our good work done.

The job helps McKinney connect with college students. She loves the connections she makes. Especially with son Keegan, a performing arts major, and daughter Kennedy, who studied English Education. Keegan volunteers at the campus food pantry. Kennedy has had many jobs, including, most recently, senior RA.

“It's definitely been a lot,” she said of the school and work balance.  “Stress levels are kind of crazy, but you learn how to manage it.

It’s hard work. But it also helps having your mom just down the hall."

“It makes me feel incredibly proud of how much they've accomplished,” said Tracy McKinney.

Like many families, the three McKinneys have a special connection. Tracy is a single mom who also works in a restaurant. Keegan overcame numerous medical hurdles to get here.  

“We don't take a lot of things for granted,” she said.

That's why when mom decided to enroll in MCC’s Culinary and Hospitality programs, there was nothing but support from her kids.

“We knew that she was such a selfless person, and was finally becoming selfish and taking something for herself and pursuing something of her own interest,” said Kennedy. “So that was a very, very proud moment for me.”

“I knew her interests in the culinary department,” said Keegan. “And I knew that going into college would help her better understand and thrive in her degree.”

Tracy admits she was nervous, going to college for the first time. She says she felt like her college professors related well to her. All three McKinneys credit the support they’ve received from everyone at MCC as they prepared to do something else special — together.

“I never, never could even imagine being where we are right now,” said Tracy.

Graduation represents the next step in life. Thursday evening, MCC held its commencement at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. For Tracy, Keegan and Kennedy the night was extra special. All three received diplomas. Kennedy plans to become a teacher. Keegan overcame paralyzed vocal cords as a youngster — an issue he still deals with — to be part of the choir which sang the school’s alma mater.

“It makes me feel like all of those years of hard work and dedication and maybe not doing everything that you wanted to, do putting everything aside and just being a parent your primary goal, it feels wonderful to have it come full circle,” said Tracy.

A family that’s worked so hard together has now graduated college together. There’s much to be thankful for.