Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is a family affair for Kelly Jones and her niece and nephew, Xen Reese and Kaia Reese.

Kelly, 47, is pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and expects to graduate in fall 2027. Xen, 22, is majoring in Applied Art and Design and plans to graduate in spring 2028. Kaia, 18, is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and expects to graduate in spring 2030.

All three are students at MGA at the same time, but it wasn't exactly planned that way.

Kelly first graduated from the University in 2013 from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. She had always wanted to return to school for her master's degree, so when MGA started its bridge program for occupational therapy assistants, she began working toward that goal.

Meanwhile, Xen graduated salutatorian from VIP Academy in 2024 and started at MGA that fall. Kaia graduated with distinction from ACE in 2026 and began her first semester at MGA this fall.

But there's an even deeper family connection to Middle Georgia State.

Kelly's father, Malon Allison "Al" Jones, was a professor at the former Middle Georgia College (now MGA) in the 1970s and coached the women's basketball team. He passed away in 2021, but he always spoke fondly of his time at Middle Georgia College and strongly encouraged higher education.

Before he passed, Kelly promised him she would return to school and earn her master's degree.

"I know he would be incredibly proud and overjoyed to see all three of us attending school together and continuing that family connection to Middle Georgia," Kelly said.

Kelly and her niece and nephew don't spend every day on campus together. Kelly's program is hybrid, Xen lives in campus housing, and Kaia commutes from home. But they enjoy attending MGA events together whenever they can, and they have plenty of opportunities to encourage and help one another.

For Kelly, there's something especially rewarding about having Xen and Kaia see how seriously she takes her education and how hard she continues to work.

"I like to think that might encourage them to place that same importance on their own education," she said. "Although they honestly have never needed much encouragement. They are both incredibly smart and motivated in their own ways."