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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – During her milestone celebration of academic accomplishment, Monica Shepard will have the double honor of fulfilling her dream of obtaining a bachelor’s degree while serving as a student marshal to guide her fellow graduates into the Roger Williams University Commencement ceremony on May 16.

At 41 years old, Shepard, of West Warwick, R.I., isn’t what many may consider a traditional undergraduate student. She received her associate degree in paralegal studies in 2013 from the Community College of Rhode Island and worked as a civil litigation paralegal until 2019.  Since then, she has worked as a case administrator at the . 

Meanwhile, in her personal experience, she had been seeing gaps in the mental health system, which inspired her to continue her education and do something about it.

“They were affecting me personally. I wasn’t happy with them and I wanted to make a change in the field with my legal background,” Shepard said. “There needs to be more accountability for those seeking treatment.”

Shepherd enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Psychology program at Roger Williams University Extension School (�������� EXT). Classes through �������� EXT fit perfectly in Shepard’s busy schedule of maintaining a large docket of complex employment, commercial, and consumer cases. 

As a working mother, Shepard earned membership in the  honor society, which recognizes non-traditional students who are balancing a home and professional life while pursuing a degree.

Additionally, she was inducted into the  where she served as co-president, signifying her ranking in the top 5 percent of the graduating class, as well as the  in Psychology.

These honors are reflective of her dedication to her studies and perseverance to achieve goals above and beyond the standard of continuing education.

Earning her psychology degree brings her one step closer to her next goal of receiving her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, a program to which she was accepted at Rhode Island College and will pursue in fall 2026, deferring one year after accepting a promotion with the American Arbitration Association as manager of alternative dispute resolution services.

“This rounds everything out,” Shepard said. “Receiving my degree from �������� EXT set the foundation for the next chapter in my career path of becoming a licensed clinical social worker and an advocate for the mental health system.”

Looking ahead, Shepard aims to bring together her legal and social work backgrounds to become an advocate for ethical reform within the mental health system, with a focus on therapist training and accountability. 

As she continues on her path to becoming a changemaker in the mental health field, Shepard is proud of all she accomplished during her time at ��������.

“There’s this huge sense of pride and connection with the school, and I’m excited and honored to be setting an example for my 18-year-old son,” Shepard said.