Tahina D. always knew she wanted to work with children, but as a single mother, the time commitment required to become a neonatal nurse or pediatrician felt out of reach. Still, she kept searching for a way to help kids in a meaningful way.

“I’ve always had a passion for working with kids,” she says. “When I discovered social work, I saw a chance to help children of all ages — and knew I had to go for it.”

Born and raised in Boston to Haitian immigrant parents, Tahina and her twin brothers were the first in their family to attend college. Later, she became the first to pursue a master’s degree.

“My parents always encouraged us to go to college and follow our dreams,” she says.

Although she was initially drawn to nursing, Tahina realized what she truly loved was connecting with others.

“With social work, I could do what comes naturally to me — listening, helping, and supporting kids,” she explains.

After earning her undergraduate degree in social work, Tahina worked in home and behavioral therapy. Her colleagues and supervisors quickly recognized her talent and pushed her to go further.

“A lot of my colleagues kept saying, ‘When I open my practice, I want to hire you. I need you to get your master's,’” she says.

Despite their encouragement, Tahina hesitated. She was raising a young child and balancing a busy home life.

“I didn’t know if I could do school with a three-year-old,” she recalls. “And not only that — my son had just been diagnosed with autism.”

Still, her best friend urged her to apply to Regis College’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

“She told me, ‘You are smart. You can do this. Just try.’ So, I did.”

Tahina also found motivation in her cousin, who had immigrated from Haiti and was pursuing her own MSW.

“I thought, we can do this together,” she says.

While working as a paraprofessional in an autism classroom, Tahina noticed how few advocates those students had.

“Many kids didn’t have anyone speaking up for them. A lot of parents simply didn’t have the time, tools, or support,” she explains. “I knew I could help.”

That experience shaped her vision for the future: Tahina dreams of building a sensory park designed specifically for children with autism and their caregivers — a safe space where kids can play freely, and parents can find connection and support.

“I feel like being a social worker in the autism population is a new thing I can help shape,” she says. “They don’t have enough advocates. I want to change that.”

At first, Tahina was nervous about starting graduate school as a single mom. But her experience at Regis College quickly put her at ease.

“The professors are amazing,” she says. “They were there for me — even when I lost my grandmother. I hadn’t even met them in person, but they supported me through everything.”

Tahina, who also attended Regis as an undergraduate, says that support is woven into the school’s culture.

“They just hire people who care,” she says. “It’s a nurturing environment — from faculty to staff to fellow students.”

She also found a surprising sense of connection in the online format.

“I didn’t expect to make friends in an online program, but the discussion forums became a space where we truly got to know one another,” she says.

Group projects and clinical work were especially valuable. Though she once disliked group assignments, Tahina now sees their purpose.

“I used to avoid group work and preferred to do everything alone. But this showed me how collaboration can ease the process — and lead to better outcomes.”

That support extended beyond coursework. When Tahina had questions about clinical placements, her professors were proactive and hands-on.

“One professor constantly checked in: ‘Did you find a site? Do you need help?’ I never felt like I had to figure it out alone.”

She was even able to complete her clinical hours at her current job — an arrangement that made balancing school and her son’s therapy possible.

Throughout the program, Tahina still faced moments of doubt.

“I kept wondering, ‘Can I do this? Will I pass?’ The pressure to keep up your grades is real,” she says. “But now, I can say — I’m doing it. I’m capable. I’m almost done.”

She credits her son as her biggest inspiration.

“I’m doing this for him, and for kids like him.”

Tahina says the Regis MSW program gave her valuable tools, not just for work, but for life.

“It taught me how to really listen without jumping in to give advice,” she explains. “Instead, I help clients identify their own goals and ways to reach them.”

She also learned how to set boundaries and manage emotional challenges that come with the job.

“If a social worker is personally affected by what a client shares, and doesn’t know how to handle that, they won’t be able to truly help. Regis taught us how to protect ourselves and still show up for our clients.”

Returning to school wasn’t easy. But for Tahina, it was absolutely worth it.

“If it’s uncomfortable, you’re doing the right thing,” she says. “It’s okay to be afraid. But if it’s your passion, go for it.”

If you want to learn more about Regis College and our offerings, check out our online master’s degrees, doctorate degrees, and certificate programs.