Husband and wife to graduate from Polk State together

What husband and wife Jacob and Emily Booher described as a “supportive competition” has ended in a triumphant tie.

Both will graduate as members of Polk State College’s 130th class. Emily Booher, 29, will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Jacob Booher, 30, has earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Supervision and Management with a concentration in Business Administration.

“We didn’t plan on graduating at the same time,” Emily Booher said. “It just happened that way. We had a long-term plan. We were both working and decided to go back to school.”

Jacob Booher first enrolled at Polk State in 2012, but instead of taking classes right away, elected to join the U.S. Army, where he served for three years. He took his first Polk State course in 2017. In 2020, he earned his first Polk State degree – an Associate in Arts.

“The feedback from my instructors has been so helpful,” he said. “They really want to see you succeed and help any way they can with the school-life balance.”

Parents of two – a son named Colton, 4, and a daughter named Aubree, 9 – the children have served as motivation for continuing their education. Throughout the process, the Winter Haven couple has worked into their schedules ways to alternate parental duties with needed study time.

“They were definitely a big factor in returning to school,” Emily Booher noted. “Neither of my parents went to college, so I wanted to set an example. (Aubree) thinks it’s cool that we were going to school, too. It’s helped motivate her to do her homework.”

Emily Booher will receive her third Polk State degree. She previously earned her Associate in Arts in 2020 and Associate in Science in Nursing in 2022. Emily has worked as a nurse at Lakeland Regional Health since 2022 and hopes to utilize her degree to move through the ranks.

“The BSN program instructors are very understanding,” Emily Booher added. “Most students have a full-time job at the bedside. You can tell they really want the best for you and the rest of your career.”

Following his service in the military, Jacob Booher spent about seven years working in property management. With his wife as a big supporter early on in their marriage as he was away in the service, he’s recently served as a stay-at-home dad to be able to spend more time with the children as she launched her career. Jacob hopes to utilize his degree to get back into his career.

“I want to progress in that field,” he noted. “I’m hoping to land a job as a property manager or with a property management company.”

While neither of Emily’s parents went to college, Jacob Booher’s parents met at what was then Polk Community College. Jacob Booher’s mother, a music teacher for Polk County Public Schools, also served as an inspiration. He credited the College’s Veterans Services department with helping in the transition as well.

“For veterans thinking about going to college, I would say make sure you do your research for what’s available,” he noted. “The (Veterans Services) office at Polk State has been super helpful. Don’t hesitate to go there for help.”

For parents thinking about returning to school or going to college for the first time, Emily Booher offered advice.

“Trying to balance motherhood and school, I’d say schedule out your week and make sure everything gets turned in on time,” she advised. “Take advantage of the time your kids are in bed. That’s a great time to study.”

During their time as students, the couple lightheartedly competed in their studies, including racing to see who could complete their degree first. They joked that they compared test scores and grade-point averages to see who was doing better academically.

“We’re very competitive with each other,” Jacob said. “At the same time, we pushed and motivated each other.”

With the “competition” officially over, Jacob and Emily Booher say they’re proud of one another’s accomplishments.

“He had a lot of doubts about going back to school,” Emily explained. “It was tough for him to adjust at the beginning. He stuck with it and got it done and I’m really proud of him for that.”

“I’m extremely proud of Emily,” her husband added. “She did a half-marathon in the middle of all this, too. She’s really motivated me.”