On July 7, 2026, an inspiring story of will and perseverance made headlines; Hatice Kuşçalı, a 42-year-old mother, successfully graduated as the top student from Aksaray University.
Will Beyond Age: The Story of Hatice Kuşçalı In today's world, where the busyness of modern life is often seen as an obstacle to fulfilling personal dreams, stories like the success of Hatice Kuşçalı breathe new life into the concept of perseverance. This 42-year-old mother of three not only received her degree at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Aksaray University but was also announced as the top student of the Public Relations and Advertising department in the Faculty of Communication [1].
Hatice, who graduated from high school in 2002, postponed her academic education for 24 years due to marriage and maternal responsibilities. However, the flame of passion for learning never went out. By managing her time between housework and raising children, she proved that it is never too late to start over.
From Homemaking to Top University Rank During the Pandemic The turning point in Hatice's life occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having been a full-time homemaker for years, she decided to use the quarantine opportunity to study and take the University Entrance Exam (YKS). She says: "During the pandemic, I decided to study again. With the support of my family, I started studying and was able to be accepted into my favorite field" [1].
Her path was not easy; balancing university exams with the needs of three children required iron discipline. She studied her course materials at night while her children were asleep and attended classes with double energy during the day. This relentless effort finally bore fruit in July 2026, and she graduated with the highest GPA among her peers.
A Role Model for the Young Generation: The Message of Success at 42 One of the prominent aspects of Hatice's presence at the university was her positive impact on younger students. In the university environment, she was known not just as a student, but as an "elder sister" (Abla) who motivated others with her life experiences. She mentioned in media interviews: "I motivated the youth with my grades and efforts, and they accepted me as their role model. This also affected the overall grade average of the class" [1].
Dr. Numan Can, her advisor at the university, praised Hatice's performance, stating that she was one of the most hardworking students he has ever had. According to him, Hatice quickly adapted to the academic environment and was able to link theoretical knowledge with her daily life experiences [1].
Reflection of Success in Turkish Media The news of this dedicated mother's success had a wide reflection in local and national Turkish media, including the news website İzmir Time 35. This media outlet described her success as a symbol of the "victory of will" in a detailed report [1].
This event coincided with the graduation season of major Turkish universities, including Izmir Katip Celebi University and Ege University, where numerous stories of women's and mothers' success were also reported [2]. However, standing on the top platform at the age of 42 made Hatice Kuşçalı a distinctive figure in 2026. She now intends to apply her knowledge in the field of public relations and engage in social activities.
Hatice Kuşçalı, mother of 3, who graduated as the top student of the Public Relations department at Aksaray University.
linkSources
- 3 çocuk annesi, bölüm birincisi oldu — İzmir Time 35 (2026-07-07)
- SBBF Mezunları Geleceğin Dünyasına Yön Vermeye Hazır — İzmir Kâtip Çelebi Üniversitesi (2026-07-01)
