Student Profile

Holly Brekke

Holly Brekke is living her dream, and she’s doing it in good company. The mother of two received her bachelor of arts degree in history and her Initial Professional Teacher Education (IPTE) degree in social studies at the spring 2007 commencement alongside her daughter, Brittany, who received her communication degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Throughout her education at UCDHSC, Brekke shared class space with not only Brittany, but son Brandon as he works toward his Master’s of Secondary Education in Social Studies.

"We bounce ideas off each other,"Brekke explains of the upside of being in class with her children.

In reaching for her goals, Brekke learned patience. "For a long time, corporate moves because of my husband’s work interfered with my education,"Brekke explains. "I had to overcome the obstacle of finding the confidence in myself to make a change in my life.”

Brekke, who has lived in 20 different houses throughout her life, not only found the support of her husband and children to be an enabling catalyst in reaching for her dream, but the faculty and staff in the School of Education & Human Development. "The people in this program are awesome,"she stresses. "It’s humbling.”

"Never be afraid to follow your heart,"Brekke advises. "There's so much joy to be had, and good people everywhere. Just go for it. Plug your nose, close your eyes and jump!"