Zayda Wakley, a Midland College (MC) graduate, has been appointed as the Court Administrator for the Municipal Court of the city of Midland. The promotion comes after she received an Associate of Applied Science degree in paralegal from MC in May.
Wakley, who immigrated from Central America to Western Canada with her family 27 years ago to escape a civil war, shared that her move to Texas was influenced by her relationship with her now-husband Jeff, whom she met through online video games, according to a press release from Midland College. Eight years ago, Wakley secured a position as an executive assistant to the Municipal Court judges in Midland.
"The judges and all staff are like a second family to me," Wakley said in the release. "They are so supportive of my education." Her experience at the Municipal Court motivated her to pursue a paralegal degree, and despite family responsibilities and work commitments, she managed to complete her education as a part-time student.
According to the release, Charity Rollfs, MC Paralegal and Legal Assistant program director, said that Wakley also applied her knowledge from working at the Municipal Court to her classes and that Wakley’s work experience gave a unique perspective to online class discussions. “I am so proud of Zayda,” Rollfs said in the release. "She always excelled in my classes and helped her classmates, too.”
Despite facing family responsibilities and work commitments, Wakley pursued her education as a part-time student. "The fact that Midland College allows students to take courses at their own pace and that all my paralegal courses were online are wonderful advantages for someone like me," Wakley noted. "I needed the flexibility of being able to work full-time, take care of my family, and also earn a degree."
According to the release, Wakley balances her schedule by finding time for her other passions, including playing video games and spending time with her husband, 5-year-old daughter Hannah, and their two dogs. The family also makes annual trips to Wakley's hometown in Western Canada.
For more about Wakley’s story, visit https://www.midland.edu/news/october-2023/wakley-zayda.php#sthash.2rX6ARib.dpbs.