Macon Magazine

Learn more about Mercer's degree programs for students of all ages at admissions.mercer.edu MERCER FOR you Mercer offers an immersive residential undergraduate experience on its historic Macon campus and flexible undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Macon, metro Atlanta, and online for busy parents, career changers, and working adults. MACON | METRO ATLANTA | ONLINE n May, Shelia Olander and daughter Michele Harvey became Double Bears, each earning a Master of Accountancy degree from Mercer University's Stetson-Hatcher School of Business. Their journey culminated at Commencement on Mercer's Atlanta campus. "We made sure that we only took classes together," Harvey said. The online format allowed Olander, of Hiawassee, and Harvey, of Dunwoody, the flexibility to pursue their degrees while working full time. The program also is offered on Mercer's Atlanta campus. This isn't the first time the mother and daughter earned a degree together. In 2008, they both graduated from Mercer with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. "Mom just decided she was going to come back to school with me," Harvey said. Olander said no one in her immediate family had a bachelor's degree. Her boss at the time encouraged her to pursue higher education. "I thought it would be cool to get one, be the first in my line to get one," she said. "So, I said, 'If she can do it, I can do it.'" In 2022, Olander, a controller at Mission Critical Services, suggested she and her daughter return to Mercer to earn their master's degrees as well. Harvey said the knowledge she gained will help her in her job as director of human resources and accounting at Temple Sinai. Olander and Harvey supported each other throughout the program. "I thought it was something great that I got to do with my daughter," Olander said. I Like Mother Like Daughter "Mercer's great. We wouldn't have come back if it wasn't." MICHELE HARVEY BBA '08, MACC '24 PHOTO COURTESY OF SHELIA OLANDER SHELIA OLANDER BBA '08, MACC '24

• Cover