Mechanical Engineering Undergrad Graduates with His Family

Harry Chhieu graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering at the same time his brother earned a degree in criminal justice and his mother in literacy learning, all from the University of Arizona. 

“This is such a big step since my mom has always been preaching about how we should go to college," he said in an interview with KVOA. "She wants us to make something of ourselves … being able to do that with her is so big."

Carol Chhieu, previously known as Pech, fled the Khmer Rouge regime in 1981 and built a life here in America. Changing her name was just one of many adjustments she had to make when she arrived in California at the age of 15.

“Life of refugee was tough," Carol said. "In my generation, very few people graduated from high school."

Carol ended up raising three children, a daughter and two sons by herself. As her sons started pursuing their education, she realized she wanted to finish hers.

“After a while you get older, you get wiser… and I always wanted to go back to school. I was just waiting for the kids to grow older,” said Carol.

The plan worked out better than she imagined.