After trading the big city vibes of Los Angeles for the serene landscapes of Nebraska, Tina Hurd (MSW ’24) found herself at a crossroads in 2015.
“I was starting a new chapter in my life, and I thought where do I want to go and what do I want to do?”
She dedicated 15 years to shaping young minds while balancing the demands of motherhood. She knew that she needed a change. “My real passion was social work and always had been. I told myself I have the flexibility to truly do what I want.”
Standing in the way of her dream was a college education. Once her oldest child chose to attend college in Nebraska, Hurd’s family made the bold decision to relocate, seeking a quieter and more intimate lifestyle.
After that, she began her college search soon after her daughter’s had wrapped up.
Hurd enrolled in Nebraska Wesleyan University’s (NWU) Bachelor of Social Work program and says it was a perfect fit because of its small size. “I’m a part of an older generation who decided to go back to school and that can be intimidating. I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with a big campus and a fast lifestyle. I already did that in California.”
She continued the seamless transition from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree at NWU. Hurd did her practicum with the university’s counseling services where she helped students process stress, anxiety and trauma.
Once Hurd receives her MSW degree on Saturday, she’ll be one step closer to owning her own practice. “I've worked so hard for it, I'm ready for it, but it's also a new chapter,” she says.
She’s not intimidated by new beginnings—just look back nine years and you’ll see where it all began.