The little one’s name is Eleanor. She is 20 months old and she comes to the Family Reading Room every week with her mom, Trissy.

Trissy is currently working on prerequisites for the master of accounting degree (MAcc) through the David Eccles School of Business. She’s currently taking three classes and has been accepted into the accounting program conditionally with the plan to start in January. Trissy’s husband is also attending the U – working on a master’s degree in business.

Trissy first heard about the Family Reading Room through the U’s daycare where Eleanor goes when Mom’s in class. “I find the room to be very convenient,” explains Trissy. “It’s great to be able to come here after class and start in on some homework. And Eleanor really enjoys playing with the toys here that she doesn’t have at home.”

When it’s all said and done, Trissy will have her degree in hand by May 2020. She says, “I’m looking forward to having my degree finished, but at the same time I’m enjoying my time with Eleanor. It’s nice to have a place where I can spend time studying while I’m also spending time with my toddler.”

Rachael is a mother of three who is working on her doctorate in Organizational Behavior at the David Eccles School of Business. She uses the Family Reading Room about once a week, bringing her two-year old son Jefferson to play while she studies.

“I love this room because it’s conveniently located, and there is a variety of activities for kids to engage in. My kids can play while I get some work done. He loves it here.” Rachel explains.

Rachael has enjoyed a varied educational background. She started her bachelor degree at the U 18 years ago before transferring to the American Music and Dance Academy in New York City. After her time in New York, she served a mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C.

Rachael became interested in helping the underprivileged. Her parents had taken her and her siblings on humanitarian service trips to places such as Kenya, Central America, and South America. With the desire to work on improving the human condition, Rachael entered Brigham Young University’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. It wasn’t long before she was asked to teach classes in BYU’s Marriott School of Management as adjunct faculty. She even continued teaching classes – commuting back and forth – after she moved to California with her husband and family.

Rachael and her husband Gavin now have three children. Jefferson is two years-old, Lincoln is five, and Addison is seven.

“Working on a Ph.D. is challenging, especially when you have little ones in tow,” remarks Rachael. “I am grateful for resources on campus like the Family Reading Room that help facilitate our untraditional circumstances. I hope to see more of these types of rooms available.”