Against all odds: A UK grad’s triumph over addiction and adversity

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2024) — Against the odds and fueled by wanting to be an inspiration to her kids, Alexandrea Shouse proved that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

The University of Kentucky graduate was once caught in a cycle of struggle that included time in jail and a series of personal hardships.

However, she made a choice to rewrite her story. As a non-traditional student, she faced not only the demands of earning her bachelor’s degree but also the weight of overcoming the stigma of her past. Her journey is one of resilience, redemption and hope — which led to her walking across the stage to receive her bachelor’s degree this December. 

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Early in life, Shouse faced battles with addiction that led to difficult consequences, including time in jail and the loss of loved ones. However, she was determined not to let her past control her and started working as a server after her release in 2018.

COVID-19 threw a wrench in those plans, and a nationwide shutdown led to the elimination of her position.

Yet again, she was resilient.

“I had made all this progress with my life and was not about to let myself go backward,” Shouse said.

She took a completely different direction and applied to Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC).

“Even though no one in my family had done it before and I was on my own, I wanted to go to school,” Shouse said.

Her biggest fear was her past holding her back.

“I didn’t think they would ever accept me because of my record, but they did and it changed my life and opened so many doors,” she said.

Shouse flourished during her time at BCTC — even setting up Addicts and Allies for Education as well as a Narcan program — and instantly knew she wanted more, so she decided to transfer to UK.

“It had always been my dream to go to UK since I grew up in Lexington. I had been dreaming of that moment since I was a kid,” Shouse said. “Here is this girl that didn’t think she could get into community college and now I’m going to my dream school.”

She decided to pursue a degree in communication from the College of Communication and Information (CI).

“I quickly found my people in communication,” she said. “When I came to UK and met the professors and the courses it felt like home. I knew I had found my people.”

Shouse wants to thank those who mentored her and helped her along her journey. Specifically, the late Traci Letcher, a CI faculty member; Cassandra Johnson, a program advisor/counselor with Student Support Services out of the Office for Student Success; and Joe and Renae Buckles, who provided an opportunity for an internship when so many others turned her away.

“Every person in the College of Communication and Information took the time to teach me and be kind to me,” Shouse said. “Even though this is their job, they treated me like they enjoyed helping me, and that made the difference.”

Shouse is leaving UK with skills needed to succeed in the future.

“Now I have the confidence walking into job interviews of knowing that I am enough and I am worthy of these jobs,” she said. “I feel more prepared, and I made relationships with people I can take with me. The whole journey has shaped and molded me into this new woman and has changed my life. It’s amazing coming out on the other end.”

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Shouse is now a college graduate, sober and has full custody of all six of her children.

She walked across the stage Dec. 20 surrounded by her kids, who she has inspired to also look to the future.

“Since I was a first-generation student, none of them had any aspirations to go to college until they saw their mom go,” she said. “Now it is a viable, visible goal for them.”

Her oldest daughter plans to start her own college journey at UK in the fall.

Shouse will begin her master’s degree from the College of Social Work in January. She hopes to specialize in clinical social work, trauma and substance use disorders.

“I want to give back to the community and give back to a non-profit or create my own practice to help others through the same experience I have been through,” she said. “I’m excited to share my story and I hope I can show someone else that there is hope and to keep going.”