Breaking Barriers with Grace: Stacy Correia’s Journey of Education and Resilience

At 38, Stacy Correia stands as a portrait of determination, discipline, and quiet strength. As the Administrative Manager of Elaine Ville Housing Development and the General Secretary of the Guyana Boxing Association, she balances leadership with grace while proudly raising two daughters. An ambivert who values privacy and solitude, she is also a University of Guyana graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, an accomplishment that she pursued with purpose and heart.

For Stacy, her academic journey began with a single driving force: her daughters. “My girls inspired everything,” she says. “I wanted to secure a better future for them and set a strong example.” Encouraged by family and friends, she took the leap into higher education, where the University of Guyana reshaped her discipline, resilience, and resourcefulness. Balancing work, motherhood, and a full academic load demanded creativity and grit. “There were nights when I had to find inventive ways to meet deadlines,” she recalls.

Several lecturers left a lasting impression, particularly Professor Walcott and Professor Lucas, whose teaching styles blended real-world relevance with critical thinking. Their courses sharpened her leadership abilities, strengthened her analytical approach, and taught her to apply theory to real-life situations, skills she continues to lean on in her administrative and sports executive roles.
Stacy Correia

But Stacy’s journey was not without hardship. When she first entered university, she was juggling two jobs while raising her daughters and attending classes. Long days, emotional exhaustion, and moments of overwhelm became familiar. “There were days when tears were my only comfort,” she admits. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave one job to make space for her studies and her children. Through prayer, determination, and her support system, she pressed forward. “Prayer became my oxygen,” she reflects. “It carried me through when I felt too tired to focus.”

Her studies at UG prepared her far beyond the academic realm. It honed her ability to manage pressure, communicate effectively, think strategically, and make difficult decisions with confidence. Exposure to diverse perspectives pushed her toward continuous self-development and strengthened her readiness for both the workforce and further studies. She now feels fully prepared, and deeply motivated to pursue her Master’s in Business Administration.

Some of her most memorable experiences came from group assignments, especially in the virtual learning environment. While challenging, they taught her patience, improved her public speaking, and strengthened her leadership skills. She laughs as she recalls the moments that kept her grounded: “Shout out to Alesha, Keisha, Sasha, Ronetta, and Dionne, they made me laugh on days when I wanted to pull my hair out.”

Looking back, Stacy sometimes wishes she had started her academic journey earlier. But with time came perspective. “Life has its timing,” she says. “Starting later helped me appreciate the opportunity more deeply. Balancing motherhood, work, and university taught me lessons I might not have understood when I was younger. It’s never too late.”

To current and aspiring students, her advice is practical and empowering: “Don’t overthink it. Four years sounds daunting, but it’s manageable once you begin. Stay engaged, ask questions, read consistently, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. University is everywhere—pay attention to the world around you.”

As she enters a new chapter, Stacy is ready to embrace both academic advancement and new professional ventures. Whether it leads her to entrepreneurship or deeper leadership roles, she remains grounded in purpose. “UG laid the foundation,” she says. “It gave me the confidence, discipline, and strategic mindset to pursue bigger opportunities. I’m keeping an open mind because the world is wide, and my journey is far from over.”