Atlantic Cape Alumna Charlene Maycott Proves It’s Never Too Late to Go Back to School and Earn Your Degree

MAYS LANDING — Good things come to those who wait. For Charlene Maycott, a first-generation college graduate who earned Associate Degrees in Communication and Psychology from Atlantic Cape Community College in 2022 and 2024, respectively, she never envisioned waiting 40 years, though, for it to become reality. She is proof that life always happens while you are busy making plans.

Maycott’s story begins in 1982, at age 17, shortly after graduating from Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, AZ. She earned a scholarship and registered for classes at nearby Phoenix College, but a family crisis would ultimately alter her plans. Maycott moved east to spend more time and help care for her ailing grandmother in Villas, NJ. She began working as a waitress/hostess in the casinos in Atlantic City, then eventually worked a second job as an administrative assistant while also volunteering as a youth soccer coach in Mullica Township. Maycott would never return to Phoenix.

“By the time she (my grandmother) passed in 2005 I had gotten married and had four children. Although I wasn’t able to go back to Phoenix, I never gave up on my dream that one day I would go to college. I knew that after my children were older, I would register,” admitted Maycott, 58, who currently resides in Hammonton.

Fast forward to the summer of 2019 and Maycott, then 54 years old, knew it was time to take the bold step and head back to college. Excited anticipation soon gave way to nervous trepidation when she began scrolling the pages of the Atlantic Cape website.

“I found myself so nervous that I almost decided to give up the dream. All I could think was how much older I was than college kids. I was petrified that I would look stupid,” said Maycott, who subsequently began taking classes during the Fall 2019 Semester and graduated in May 2022 with an Associate Degree in Communication.

Maycott didn’t stop there. She returned to Atlantic Cape for the Fall 2022 Semester to begin her journey towards earning a degree in Psychology, which she graduated with this past May. Along the way she has had to overcome significant personal challenges.

“One of my biggest challenges was being a full-time caregiver to my 82-year-old mother (who passed away in August), who was blind and had Alzheimer’s, while attending school and working,” said Maycott, who benefited from the College’s flexible scheduling. “Atlantic Cape has a big selection of online, remote and hybrid classes which made it easier to take care of my mother and earn my degree.”

Maycott has loved her time at Atlantic Cape and has no regrets with her decision to go back to college.

“I started at Atlantic Cape because it is affordable and close to home, but once I enrolled, I realized that it is so much more. The professors and staff are wonderful and are always here to help you. There is a great selection of classes to choose from, and a wonderfully-inclusive and diverse student population too,” said Maycott. “Atlantic Cape has continually provided me with a way to fulfill my dreams of becoming a college graduate and has shown me that I can be proud of my accomplishments.”

During her five years at Atlantic Cape, Maycott has immersed herself in numerous student clubs, such as the Communication Awards Club, Rewrites annual literary/art publication, Atlantic Cape Review student newspaper, Theater Arts Guild and Student Government Association.

As part of Atlantic Cape’s 3+1 partnership agreement with Stockton University, Maycott is currently completing her junior year of studies, which consists of an additional 30 credits that will earn her an Associate Degree in Advanced and Continuous Studies. Maycott will then finish her senior year at Stockton University beginning with the Spring Semester.

“At this point in my life, I am proud that I have earned not only one, but two degrees as a first-generation college graduate,” said Maycott. “I am excited about going to Stockton University to earn my bachelor’s degree, but I will always miss Atlantic Cape, which has given me the tools I need to go after my chosen career.”

If you would like to pursue your dream of earning a college degree, visit any of our One-Stop Welcome Centers to meet with an advisor today. For more information, visit atlanticcape.edu/onestop to start your degree journey at Atlantic Cape. 

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.