Just Like Dad

His oldest daughter is six, and this week she’s dreaming of growing up to be an astronaut, a mommy and a teacher.

“She doesn’t take anything off the list—she just keeps adding,” said Damien Tracy, ’21.

Tracy transferred to EOU and completed his psychology degree entirely online while working two full-time jobs and being a dad to four kids. Caring for others has been a theme in his life and career.

He works for Caption Call, a relay service for people who are deaf or hearing-impaired. Before that, though, he was accustomed to assisting and communicating with people who have disabilities.

“My whole life and culture is the community of the disabled,” he said. “Both my dad and sister are intellectually disabled, and I’ve grown up around people who are disabled so my heart is set in that. It’s been my life passion.”

After five years working as a mentor and supervisor, his bachelor’s degree gave Tracy the boost he needed to obtain a management position. He went from overseeing 20 employees to joining four colleagues to supervise 500 staff members.

“I was offered the position a month after graduation,” he said. “The position is all about communication and enhancing performance. Having a degree helped on paper, but I also use it on tasks with the job.”

His new role required a move from Caldwell, Idaho, to San Antonio this summer. Before hitting the road, the Tracy family visited campus for the second time ever. They had come for a tour before he transferred to EOU, and the welcome affirmed his choice.

“I toured EOU even though I was going to be a fully online student,” he said. “It felt personal, and the advisor was very interested in me and excited for me to come. Everybody was very patient with my kids and so hospitable.”

“It felt personal, and the advisor was very interested in me and excited for me to come”

– Damien Tracy

When they returned, it was for graduation.

“My favorite memory was walking across the stage and watching my kids being all excited,” Tracy said. “Being greeted by psych faculty, and getting to see my favorite professors in-person after being online the whole time was also great.”

Tracy was one of the last graduates to walk across the stage, but he said the atmosphere stayed fresh and exciting all day. The occasion capped a challenging educational career of juggling responsibilities at home, at work and in the classroom. Tracy said his professors kept him engaged in learning by sending personalized videos for statistics classes to answer his questions.

As he completed his final assignments and took his last tests, Tracy’s kids were counting down alongside him.

“They were excited that I’d have more play time,” he said. Now with a new job and settling into their new home, Tracy tells his oldest daughter that she can do anything—just like him.