Lewiston social workers often mistook Tonya Bailey-Curry as a foster child, even in her own home. 

That’s because her stepfather, a foster parent, was white. And she was not.

The workers’ assumptions — based on nothing more than her race — upset her. She vowed she’d become a social worker one day, and she would do the job differently. More sensitively.

Thirty years later, she’s making that dream come true.

In May, the 41-year-old mother of six earned a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral science from the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College. Soon she’ll follow that up with a master’s degree in social work at USM in Portland.

It hasn’t been easy, being a nontraditional college student — old enough, in fact, that her own kids were college students, too.

But she believes it will be worth it.

Name: Tonya Bailey-Curry

Age: 41

Town: Lewiston

Married/relationship/single: Married

Current job: Office coordinator at the Druker Office of Community Engagement at Lewiston-Auburn College.

Dream job: Social worker/advocate at a correctional facility

Why a correctional facility? With so many states across the country, including Maine, seeing a significant increase in the prison population, I think it is important to understand why this is the case. I would imagine my passion for advocacy will lead me into policy change at some point in my career, therefore working directly within this field will give me the firsthand knowledge I will need to be effective. 

When did you start college? 2010

What got you interested in social work? Growing up and not seeing enough, or any, people that looked like me in most social service agencies. I felt called to action to change that.

What’s it like going to college while your own kids are college students? It has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. We support one another in such a unique way because we all understand the pressures that come with being a student.

What was it like the first time you had college homework? I was so excited for the experience that I was a bit overzealous to complete my first assignment, which my kids thought was a bit over the top.

Overzealous? Several professors post assignments within the syllabus before classes even begin, so as soon as I saw the very first one I got right to work. I must have had about four different drafts of the one assignment and asked my kids to give me feedback on all of them in order to decide which one to use. All I remember them saying was, “Mom, this assignment is really just an introduction of yourself, you are over-thinking it!”

Best part about being a nontraditional student? Being able to share many life experiences that relate to my degree of study with my peers, faculty and staff.

Worst part? Finding the balance between family, work and school. It’s a challenge, but once you find your rhythm it becomes second nature.

Any favorite memories of college? I have so many great memories, but the two that stand out the most are the study abroad trip I was fortunate enough to be a part of in South Africa, which was life changing, and secondly my work with the Druker Office of Community Engagement, which allowed me to collaborate with so many wonderful agencies, such as NAMI Maine, Tree Street Youth, Looking Ahead Clubhouse, Good Shepherd Food Bank and so many more!

What would you tell someone who wanted to start college in their 30s (or 40s or 50s, etc.)? All your life experience will come in handy when you start your journey toward a college degree. Find what you are passionate about and turn it into a career. Starting seems impossible, but once you do, your life is forever changed.

What comes after your master’s degree? A long deep breath of accomplishment and then straight to advocacy work. I am looking forward to using my voice to create positive change.