Kaiya King and Nicole Cosby
By Leonard Hall/ASU
Mother鈥檚 Day is just around the corner, and an 91制片厂 mother-daughter duo is celebrating a little early.
Nicole Cosby, 46, and her 22-year-old daughter, Kaiya King, graduated together on Friday, May 2. Cosby earned a Bachelor of Science in social work, while King received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 overwhelming 鈥� in the best way. I feel such deep Black joy, pride, and honor. Being a parent and a student at the same time is no easy feat, but it allowed me to witness firsthand how God shows up for both of us,鈥� Cosby said.
Although they graduated simultaneously, the two did not plan it.
鈥淢y daughter applied, enrolled, and was accepted. At the time, I was a full-time salon owner and had completed nonprofit work in underserved communities,鈥� Cosby said. 鈥淭hat work ignited a passion in me to become a licensed professional who could offer the best care to those I served. ASU had always been a place of safety, empowerment, and nurturing for me, so returning to complete my degree here just made sense. It felt like coming home.鈥�
鈥淲alking across that stage with my mom beside me is a feeling I can鈥檛 fully explain,鈥� said King, her mother鈥檚 only child. 鈥淚t just so happened to line up with my college journey. She returned during my sophomore year, and we are now finishing together. It鈥檚 like it was meant to be.鈥�
For Cosby, it truly was a return home. She began her ASU journey as a transfer student in 1999 but stepped away in 2001 due to mental health challenges and limited family support.
鈥淚t was a difficult decision, but I always knew I鈥檇 return. In 2023, I came back determined to finish what I started,鈥� she said.
Cosby worked as a natural hairstylist in her own salon for nearly a decade before returning to ASU. She also taught hair care classes to help white parents care for Black children鈥檚 hair, focusing on transracial and foster care families. The Chicago native now hopes to become a licensed therapist to support Black children adopted by white families and help them avoid racial trauma.
This academic journey was special for both mother and daughter, who supported each other along the way.
鈥淢y mom supported me in the most subtle but powerful ways. She sends me quotes, scriptures, and prayers all the time,鈥� King said. 鈥淗er words of encouragement and constant faith honestly kept me going, especially when I felt overwhelmed or stressed. Knowing she was on this journey too, and rooting for me, made all the difference. I made sure to check in with her as well, knowing that this past semester had been challenging for her.鈥�
鈥淚 made sure she was celebrated every semester. I even started a Bama State parent group to help build community and provide extra support for our students,鈥� Cosby said. 鈥淗er father and I never missed a performance or honors ceremony. We showed up every time. I鈥檓 so incredibly proud of her.鈥�
King faced a financial setback toward the end of her undergraduate journey. With a balance on her account, she wasn鈥檛 sure if she would walk across the stage 鈥� until ASU Cares, the University鈥檚 official retention scholarship program, stepped in to clear her balance.
鈥淎SU Cares made a huge impact on my journey,鈥� King said. 鈥淭he assistance they provided lifted a weight off my shoulders. It allowed me to focus on my finals, enjoy my last semester, and graduate without that stress. I鈥檒l forever be grateful for that help. It changed everything.鈥�
Her mother echoed the same sentiment.
鈥淚 was overwhelmed with gratitude. They didn鈥檛 have to do it 鈥� but they did 鈥� and that鈥檚 just who ASU is,鈥� Cosby said. 鈥淚 thank God for this institution. I am forever grateful.鈥�
Now that graduation is over, the Montgomery native plans to take a break from dance, which she鈥檚 been doing since childhood, to explore other interests.
鈥淚 want to dive into the business and marketing side of things,鈥� King said. 鈥淚鈥檓 currently working as a manager at Chick-fil-A, and I鈥檝e learned a lot there and in my campus organizations about leadership, customer experience, and brand values. While I鈥檓 working, I鈥檒l also be exploring options for where I want to get my master鈥檚 degree in business. This is a new chapter, and I鈥檓 excited to grow into it.鈥�
Meanwhile, Cosby is preparing for her next academic step.
鈥淚鈥檝e been awarded an estimated $60,000 in scholarships and was accepted into the University of Michigan鈥檚 Master of Social Work program, which I鈥檒l begin in fall 2025,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y goal is to specialize in mental health and substance abuse and pursue a career as a sports social worker 鈥� advocating for the mental, social, and physical well-being of collegiate and professional athletes.鈥�
The mother and daughter shared advice for other families considering education together.
鈥淏uild a strong support system and find your village,鈥� Cosby said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l need encouragement to get through the challenges of balancing life, parenting, and academics. Set boundaries, be realistic about your capacity, and don鈥檛 forget to take care of yourself. Most importantly, celebrate every single milestone鈥攂ig or small鈥攖ogether.鈥�
鈥淒o it. It might not always be easy, but the bond it builds is unmatched,鈥� King added. 鈥淵ou get to watch each other grow, overcome challenges, and achieve something incredible side by side. It teaches you patience, support, and how powerful family can be when you鈥檙e working toward a common goal. Plus, having someone in your corner who understands the late nights and early mornings is a blessing.鈥�