“It has been my focus to graduate as a Cougar—for 45 years,” says Scott Smith of Queen Creek, Arizona. “I’m not letting go!” As a kid growing up in Alaska, Scott visited Brigham Young University’s (BYU) campus when his older brother was a student there. “I got exposed to the students and the culture, and I have been in love since I was ten years old.”

In 1992, Scott, and his wife, Amy, began their studies at BYU. But after their second child was born, financial troubles forced them to leave the university. Over the years, Scott built a career and had seven children with Amy, who, tragically, passed away in 2010. Scott says that “as rough as it was” to lose his wonderful wife, he feels blessed that he eventually met and married Robin.

Robin, who came to the marriage with four children of her own, is also “an incredible woman,” says Scott. “How lightning strikes twice, I don’t know. I don’t ask questions.” As they began their marriage, Robin was finishing her Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree through BYU Continuing Education. After she graduated—and gave birth to a son, completing their family of 12 children—she went on to earn two master’s degrees.

Robin inspired Scott to go back to school, so he enrolled in the BGS program with an emphasis in Management. He’d already dedicated his career to management, but he used information from his BYU courses to increase his skills. About a year ago, Scott started his own business, Akhada Consulting, where he puts his experience to further use.  

Scott’s knowledge has also benefited his volunteer work with school districts in his community. He has consulted leaders of the local school district on “everything from transportation routes to school expansion and school boundaries.” 

Enrolling in the BGS program was an easy decision. “I couldn’t fit anything else in,” Scott explains. The program “works with my schedule, it works with my family, it works with my wife’s support, it works with my kids’ support.”  In April 2025, Scott will finally achieve his goal of graduating as a Cougar when he receives a Bachelor of General Studies degree from Brigham Young University.

“I love the BYU Continuing Education program,” he says. “It fills such an important role for people like me.” In 2023, BYU Continuing Education served over 1,800 students and participants in the Tempe, Arizona, area. If you relate to Scott’s story, he advises you to “dive right in. The longer you wait, the longer it takes. . . . So, what are you waiting for?”