For many years, a sense of unfinished business lingered in the back of Lisa Dugal’s mind.
As part of the first graduating class from the local St. Thomas More High School, her roots in Lafayette ran deep. She had dreams of completing her degree at UL Lafayette.
“I graduated then enrolled at the University, and I did that off and on for a few years. My focus just wasn’t there,” she recalls.
Life took over — marriage in 1988, raising a family, supporting her husband’s career, and moving to Mandeville, Louisiana.
But as her children graduated and her husband retired, she realized she had an opportunity to focus on herself.
“In December of 2021, I was thinking of what big, bad, adventurous thing I could do for 2022,” she laughs.
This adventurous spirit led her right back to UL Lafayette, this time to earn her degree through the online Health Promotion & Wellness program.
The Road Back to UL Lafayette
Dugal’s decision to return to school was fueled by the achievements of those around her.
Her daughter-in-law had just earned a master’s degree through an online program, and a friend just a few years older than her had recently returned to finish his degree.
As a witness to her husband’s successful career and her children graduating from college, the idea of finishing her own degree began to take shape.
“The seed was planted, and I was looking on the computer for what I could do. I looked up ‘online degrees' and UL Lafayette popped up,” she says. “So, I started looking through the degrees they offered online and saw Health Promotion & Wellness, Kinesiology and thought ‘OK, this might be something.’”
Dugal took the plunge and submitted her application, unsure if she was even eligible.
“I’ve taken care of everybody else my whole life, but now I’ve switched the focus to me to pursue what I want,” she says. “I had unfinished business.”
Embracing Online Learning
Transitioning to online learning was a new challenge for Dugal, who describes herself as “not very technically inclined.”
However, the support she received from UL Lafayette made all the difference. One of the enrollment specialists, whom Dugal fondly refers to as her advocate, was a constant source of encouragement.
“She’d call and always had that cheerfulness and positivity,” she says. “It was just good to know that I always had that direct phone call that could help keep me on course. That connection helped tremendously.”
And the connections she made with faculty became lifelines, turning the daunting task of online learning into a manageable, even enjoyable, journey.
“Dr. Katie, the most incredible teacher ever, has online office hours. I showed up faithfully every Monday and Thursday for her tutoring sessions,” she says. “Connecting with the teachers and taking advantage of the resources they offer is huge.”
Juggling coursework with personal life was a new balancing act for Dugal.
“It initially felt very uncomfortable and selfish to put myself first, because I’ve always been a caregiver for everybody else,” she says. “So it’s just been very important that I stay on task with my assignments so that I can be present for my family, because they’re the most important thing.”
To master time management, Dugal had to get organized. She relied on two calendars — one for academics and one for personal commitments.
“The first thing I do when the semester starts is print out the syllabus and write down all of the deadlines in my academic calendar,” she says.
This planning allows her to stay ahead of deadlines and be present for the moments that matter most.
“My son got married in June, and when I was talking to my teacher about my summer class, I told her ‘I’m just letting you know, but I’ll be at my son’s destination wedding and I need to be fully present for that,’” she recalls. “And she worked with me on my deadlines so that I was able to go.”
Bridging the Gap
Among the courses she’s taken, Dugal’s internship in yoga instructor training stood out as her favorite, not only providing practical skills but also a sense of purpose.
“My internship really taught me what I was capable of,” she says. “It was a favorite of mine because it intertwined the education with hands on experiences.”
And as Dugal reflects on her journey, she acknowledges the essential role her support system played in her success.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the unconditional love and support of my family and friends, all of whom have played a special role,” she says. “You can’t be afraid to ask for help. You just have to keep moving forward and have faith and trust the process.”
For Dugal, enrolling in the online Health Promotion & Wellness program at UL Lafayette wasn’t just about earning a degree; it was about reclaiming a part of herself that had been put on hold for too long.
As she anticipates completing the program, Dugal looks forward to commemorating this achievement by joining her loved ones in the UL Lafayette Walk of Honor.
“It will be an honor to have a brick alongside my husband and my father, who are both alumni,” she says. “I really want to spread the message that you’re never too old. It’s never too late. Just remember that you didn’t come this far to only come this far.”
Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about the online Health Promotion & Wellness program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.