College Sports
Mom graduates college alongside her 3 kids
Jake Holter and Sarah Bawden
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Allison Jedson had no intention of graduating from the University of Rhode Island (URI) at the same time as her three children.
But that’s exactly what happened this past weekend.
Jedson, who graduated from URI’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, received her doctorate the same weekend her children received their bachelor’s degrees.
Her family’s unique situation appears to have been a happy accident.
“My research took a different direction,” Jedson explained. “I actually should have finished my research in 2024. But hiccups happened along the way, and it wasn’t completed, so I ended up graduating in 2025.”
“I actually felt bad for the kids,” she continued. “I said to them, “I don’t want to steal your limelight.”
Though Jedson considered not walking across the stage, she said her children insisted that she do so.
“We said, ‘You have to,’” her son Ethan Jedson recalled. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience … and to be able to share it with her was truly incredible.”
Ethan Jedson graduated with four degrees from URI, which include a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. His brother, Alex Jedson, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.
Last but not least, their sister, Emily Jedson, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics.
Ethan and Alex, who are twins, each spent a year in Spain and completed their degrees in five years. Emily, who served as captain of the URI Women’s Ice Hockey team for two years, finished her two degrees in the traditional four years.
“That’s how we wound up graduating at the same time,” Allison Jedson explained.
To say graduation weekend was busy for the Jedsons is an understatement. Allison received her doctorate first on Friday morning. Her sons received their Spanish degrees later that evening, while her daughter received her two degrees Saturday morning. The Jedsons returned Sunday morning to watch Ethan receive his business degrees and then came back one more time to see Alex receive his engineering degree.
“We attended five graduations in the Ryan Center this weekend,” Alex said. “Everyone had their own moment.”
It’s not entirely a surprise that the Jedson kids gravitated toward URI.
Allison Jedson and her husband, Christian Jedson, met at URI in the 1990s — each receiving their bachelor’s and master’s degrees there before settling down in West Greenwich.
“They’ve taken absolutely every piece of URI and enjoyed it to the fullest,” Allison Jedson said of her children.
So, what’s next for the Jedsons?
Ethan just landed his dream job at JPMorgan Chase in New York City, while Alex is still weighing several offers. Emily plans on continuing her education by earning her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut.
Allison Jedson, who’s a family nurse practitioner, added that she’s beyond proud of her children for their accomplishments.
“I’m on cloud 9,” she said.