Nurturing Success: How a Mother and Daughter Shape Students’ Futures

It is often believed that working alongside family or friends can put strain on relationships. But for Griselda Marion and her daughter, Mea Cedillo, that assumption has not held true. Instead, their shared workplace has strengthened their bond.

“It’s actually been pretty nice; I like working with my mom,” Mea said. “It’s nice to be able to relate about certain things with someone I know I can trust.”

Both work at Texas State Technical College’s Abilene campus. Griselda serves as a senior student development specialist, while Mea works as a career advisor. Their roles may differ, but their connection carries over into their professional lives.

As spring brings a season of gratitude for mothers, Griselda finds even more meaning in being able to share her workplace with her daughter.

“As a mom, I have a sense of pride that my daughter is here and she’s being acknowledged for her good work and for what she brings to the college,” Griselda said. “Because we’re at the same place of employment, I get to hear so many great things about her. Maybe it even makes it an ultra-Mother’s Day.”

Developing a Servant’s Heart

Twenty-one years ago, Griselda was a single mother working toward her Health Information Technology degree at TSTC’s Sweetwater campus. Finding a job that worked with her packed schedule was not easy, but she still had two mouths to feed. 

Luckily, a staff assistant position through TSTC’s work-study program became available at her campus. Griselda accepted the role, unaware of the legacy she had set in motion.

As time went on, she developed more than just her career; she developed a servant’s heart.

“I knew from being a staff assistant, which brought me a lot of value and knowledge, that I wanted to work with people, and I wanted to work with people in a way that was welcoming,” she said. “As things evolved for me, I would always jump into something that involved helping people.”

Griselda received her Associate of Applied Science degree from TSTC in 2006, but her roots remained planted at the college.

Over the course of those 21 years at the Sweetwater campus — and eventually Abilene — she would serve in numerous divisions, including recruitment, disabilities, student activities, and, of course, student development.

As a senior student development specialist, Griselda oversees student conduct and well-being to maintain campus policies and standards, meaning she often helps students through some of the most difficult times in their education, similar to her role as a mother.

“My biggest reward is when a student does have a difficult time and they come back and thank me for helping them,” she said.

But an even greater reward was just beyond the horizon.

Following in Mom’s Footsteps

Having only been a baby when her mother was attending college, Mea was practically raised at TSTC. 

Fast forward almost 20 years, and she was working in the food industry with no plans to pursue it further. Instead, her eyes became fixed on the school.

Griselda admitted she was shocked when Mea expressed her desire to work with her.

“I thought she was going to be like, ‘my mom’s nosy,’ or ‘my mom’s going to be all up in my business,’” she said. “To be honest, I always have been, so I thought she was never going to want to seek anything out here, but I was very happy because I know what this place can do for us as employees.”

Griselda kept a close eye on TSTC’s job board in case the perfect opportunity for Mea came along. When an instructional specialist position opened up at the Abilene campus, the duo jumped on it.

“She knows me as a person,” Mea said. “I wouldn’t have chosen to do it if it wasn’t something I wanted to do, but having an insider’s perspective that I knew I could trust, that definitely helped me.”

Though she began her career working behind the scenes, Mea quickly transitioned from an instructional specialist to the Abilene campus’ career advisor in order to engage more directly with students and help them in new and creative ways. 

She now prepares students for their future careers through resume prep, interviewing and overall professionalism training.

“I was very blessed to get the job, for sure,” she said.

Mea has been working at the Abilene campus for a year and a half now.

Separate but Together, Different Yet the Same

Griselda and Mea’s missions may differ, but they share the same heart.

“Even though we do two totally different jobs, we do mirror that we’re here to serve students,” Griselda said. “They can come to us, and we can help them in different aspects.”

The two often find ways to work together. By volunteering for on campus events like Techsan Day, they not only get to work side by side, but they also get to show the students and their colleagues that they are always available to lend a hand.

“Everybody knows we’re going to be there to support each other; we want to work together and make those things happen,” Mea said. “We know each other pretty well, of course, so whenever we’re at these events, it’s kind of like being with your best friend.”

As Mea’s career continues to progress, skills she inherited from her mother have started to emerge. She pointed out that Griselda has always had the power to capture a room’s attention, and Griselda said her daughter has the exact same talent.

“She has the ability to bring a room together; to talk, to converse, to grab their attention, but in a professional setting it’s different because there are so many walks of life here,” Griselda said. “She just starts to speak, and people gravitate and listen to her.”

Griselda said she has done her best to keep her motherly instincts under control and allow Mea to figure out the workforce on her own. She encourages anyone else who works with their children to keep their professional and personal relationships separate and allow their children room to grow.

“She’s got her department, she’s got her supervisors, she’s got her coworkers, and she’s got to maintain those relationships on her own; I’m not going to interfere with that,” Griselda said. “I always knew she was doing a good job, but to see it, feel it, hear it, it’s different, it amps it up. I do take a tiny bit of credit for it.”