For JohnQuell and Diamond Tucker, education is a family affair.
The couple, who both completed graduate degrees at UWM in May, often spent their evenings studying together with their children, now ages 4 and 2.
“We made grad school our lifestyle and built it into our schedules,” Diamond said.
JohnQuell earned his master’s degree in social work, and Diamond earned hers in human resources and labor relations. Both worked full time while completing their degrees. JohnQuell is a licensed school social worker with Milwaukee Public Schools. He is also certified as an advanced practice social worker and practices psychotherapy part time.
Diamond is a human resources generalist at a mental health counseling clinic in West Allis. Diamond will be pursuing a Society for Human Resource Management-certified professional certification in the near future to continue enhancing her knowledge and skill.
Advancing careers and being ‘a forever student’
Both decided at about the same time – right before the pandemic – that they wanted to earn master’s degrees to advance in their professions. Besides, Diamond said, “I’m a forever student.”
When they first discussed tackling graduate degrees, Diamond thought to herself: “How in the world are we going to do this?
After they immersed themselves in the work, she then thought: “Wow, we’re really doing it.”
JohnQuell said he didn’t want to embark on the academic journey before his wife could start hers. Diamond was pregnant with their first child, but JohnQuell felt they should go to school together. “Diamond shouldn’t have to put her dreams on hold just because we are starting a family,” he said. “I am just as much a father as she is a mother. If I am going to advance my career, Diamond shouldn’t have to choose between career and family. The two of us can do both; we can have it all!”
Motivating each other
As they went through their programs, “we were motivating each other through the peaks and valleys,” Diamond said. “We were committed to it. We started strong, and we stayed strong.”
They persisted, even when their two children – a son, Jahmari, and daughter, Saniyah – were born. They are expecting their third child.
Their children have been a strong motivating factor in their lives, JohnQuell said.
“We are first-generation college graduates,” he said. “We want to provide a better future for our children and eliminate barriers so they can thrive.”
The couple had study dates at home. “Having that internal support in the household was motivating,” JohnQuell said. “We kept each other accountable.”
Diamond, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Marquette University, started her career in human resources at a job suggestion from her brother. “I just fell in love with it.”
She enjoys the versatility that the HR profession offers as each day offers its challenges. “One day I could be focusing on recruiting efforts or a special project. The next day I could be handling an employee relations matter. There are so many avenues to explore not only in the profession but also the day-to-day.”
Wanting more
Her background is in talent acquisition. However, she has expanded her repertoire throughout the years to include compliance, employee engagement, coaching, streamlining HR processes and procedure, and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives.
JohnQuell originally studied interior architecture and business at UW-Stevens Point. He had a full-ride academic scholarship and a paid internship redesigning spaces around campus. Going into his senior year, he changed directions. He started to think: “What’s the point of this beautiful building if people inside are hurting? Like buildings, people need a solid foundation to build on also.” JohnQuell ended up earning his undergraduate degree in psychology so he could do just that.
When JohnQuell returned to Milwaukee, he started working in child welfare. As he progressed in that work, he found himself becoming an advocate for children and a liaison between schools and caregivers. That’s when he started thinking about social work, he said, as a way of working not just with children, but with their families. “I still call myself an architect, but now I am an architect of individuals, families and communities, helping them build a solid foundation so they can thrive.”
Helping community
Both Tuckers focus on building up the Black community. “I want to be an individual that serves the community in a meaningful way, but also represents the community,” JohnQuell said. “Being a Black male from the inner city of Milwaukee, I can bring diversity and a unique perspective to the social work/mental health profession.”
The Tuckers’ decision to come to UWM was related to both the programs and the location. Both are Milwaukee natives: “We live in the community and wanted to be at a university that felt connected to the community,” JohnQuell said. With their already busy schedules, he added, “we didn’t want to have to drive all over.”
In his program, he said, “I definitely had awesome professors from top to bottom. They’ve been very supportive of me and my family.”
Diamond, who started out in social work before switching to human resources, found her niche in the cohort of students she worked with. “I met some awesome people I stay in touch with to this day.”
Both Tuckers were determined to not only complete degrees but do well, and their grades reflected that. They were both straight A students, with an occasional A-minus.
“It was challenging for sure, but we didn’t want to barely make it to the finish line,” JohnQuell said.
“I’m proud we were able to do it and do it well.”
