Mother Watches Daughter Graduate from Nursing at Wiregrass

Paulette Brown has spent nearly two decades helping students reach their dreams at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, but watching her daughter Chrissa Davis graduate from the nursing program this spring made all those years come full circle.

Davis earned her Associate of Science in Nursing degree in Spring 2026, joining a family tradition in healthcare that includes her father, grandmother, and aunt. She balanced her studies while raising three young children, proving that determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Brown knows firsthand what technical education can do. She started at Wiregrass herself as a work study student in the 1990s after earning her GED. She went on to complete two associate degrees at the college before joining the staff full time in 2015.

The family's connection to Wiregrass runs even deeper. Davis's father completed the Machine Tool diploma program at the college. Now three generations have walked through those doors seeking better futures.

"It was an incredible feeling to watch her accomplish such an important goal in her life," Brown said. "Her journey was not easy, but she persevered and accomplished something truly remarkable."

As Campus Director at the Coffee Campus, Brown sees students transform their lives every day. Some come through dual enrollment programs while still in high school. Others arrive later in life, ready for a career change. All leave with real skills and real opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

Brown's story shows how one college can reshape entire families across generations. When she earned her GED in 1990, she set something in motion that would touch her children's lives decades later.

Technical colleges like Wiregrass offer more than just degrees. They provide accessible pathways for people who might not see themselves in traditional four year programs. They train nurses, technicians, and skilled workers that communities desperately need.

For families in South Georgia, Wiregrass has become a launching pad. Students gain hands on experience, complete credentials, and enter the workforce ready to contribute. The college's focus on practical skills means graduates can start building careers immediately.

Davis now joins thousands of nurses serving communities across Georgia. Her mother gets to see the impact of technical education from both sides of the desk.

One family, three generations, countless possibilities unlocked.