With a wide smile and steady steps, 79-year-old Patricia Sias Ellis walked across the graduation stage this past weekend. After nearly six decades of putting her own goals on hold, Ellis received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Clayton State University, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
A lifelong Georgia resident and grandmother, Ellis’s story is one of quiet resilience, family devotion, and unwavering belief in lifelong learning. She first planned to go to college in the early 1960s, but like many Black women of her generation, life had other plans. She chose work and motherhood, cheering on her husband and son as they graduated from Morehouse College, while quietly shelving her own academic dreams.
“I never gave up on the idea,” Ellis said in an interview. “I just postponed it.”
That all changed eight years ago after a bit of playful teasing from her son. “He told me I was watching too many soap operas and needed to do something with my time,” she recalled with a chuckle. His words struck a chord. Soon after, Ellis enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, later transferring to Clayton State. One class at a time, one semester at a time, she kept going, even when the odds tried to stop her.
Last year, she faced a major health scare when doctors discovered a 10-pound tumor on her kidney. It was successfully removed, but recovery was no small feat. Still, she never considered quitting. “I just kept trudging along,” she said. “Even when it was hard, I told myself—‘just finish this next class.’ And I did.”
On campus, Ellis became more than just another student. She became a source of inspiration. Known for her radiant energy, kindness, and fierce determination, she formed friendships with classmates decades younger and won the admiration of professors.
“She lights up every room she walks into,” said Dr. Georj Lewis, president of Clayton State University. “When she crossed that stage, the entire room stood up. Not just for what she achieved, but for who she is.”
For Ellis, the experience wasn’t just about getting a diploma, it was about reclaiming something that had long felt out of reach. “These moments I thought I missed out on as a young woman, I’m living them now,” she said. “And you know what? They’re just as sweet at 79.”
Now a college graduate, Ellis isn’t done dreaming. She’s considering going back for a master’s degree and wants to use her criminal justice education to help others understand their legal rights—especially in underserved communities.
“I feel like the Lord is blessing me with the best years of my life,” she said. “And I’m going to make the most of them.”
In a world that often writes off older people, especially women, Patricia Sias Ellis is rewriting the narrative—one course, one semester, and one graduation at a time.
