Graduating debt-free, Sarah Halil proves what’s possible for single mothers
March 25, 2026
by Molly Urnek
Sarah Halil was determined to defy the odds.
A single mother pursuing higher education, she faced countless challenges, but quitting was never an option.
Working as a risk and compliance analyst, Halil saw emerging technologies reshaping her field, and recognized a growing demand for data-driven insight. Motivated to advance her career and build a better future for her daughter, she enrolled in the master’s program in business analytics and information systems at USF.
“Being a single mom gives me purpose,” Halil says. “I’m motivated by hope, a belief in something bigger, and the drive to show my daughter what it means to work hard, stay focused, pursue your goals and keep going — even when it’s hard.”
Halil faced significant challenges: raising a child alone, working full time, studying a new field, and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaning on resilience and structure,
“I took my laptop to birthday parties and my daughter’s swim practice, woke up at 5 a.m. most days, and studied on weekends,” Halil recalls. “Time management was my best friend.”
When she felt constricted by Python programming, she was reassured by her professors, including Han Reichgelt, who initially pursued philosophy before transitioning to information technology. He says many people without a background in technology like Halil are more familiar with coding than they realize.
“Many working professionals in non-technological fields like accounting or medicine can combine their interest in technology with areas they are already experienced in,” Reichgelt says. “Concepts they’ve mastered in Excel are similar to concepts used to code.”
In 2023, Halil graduated debt free, thanks in part to the Lorri Anne Carpenter Scholarship, which was established by a planned gift in Carpenter’s estate plan to support business and journalism students at USF.
Earning her graduate degree propelled Halil’s career and deepened her passion for uplifting others. It opened doors to mentorship opportunities, allowing her to guide students navigating similar paths and inspire the next generation of professionals in tech and analytics.
Her most lasting influence, however, may be at home. Halil’s daughter, now entering her junior year of high school and preparing for dual-enrollment courses, aspires to a career in the medical field, inspired by the example her mother set.
“I hope she remembers watching me push through the hard days and chooses to prioritize her own future,” Halil says. “I always tell her, ‘Your education is yours, and no one can take that away from you.’”