HUSBAND-AND-WIFE duo Dr Gavin and Dr Terry-Ann Robinson stole the show at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona graduation recently when they walked across the stage, hand-in-hand, to receive their doctoral degrees in education. Graduating together is a feat they’ve accomplished not once, not twice, but three times.

The couple, both 44 years old, describe themselves as lifelong learners. They shared that they met during teacher training at Ardenne High School in St Andrew, while each pursuing their bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

Bonding over their religious background as Seventh-day Adventists, they soon fell in love, graduating together in 2003. Three years later they tied the knot, just months after starting their master’s degrees in education at The UWI — a programme they completed together in 2008. Fast-forward to November 2024 and they shared the stage for the first time, graduating with their Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technologies.

Beaming with pride, the couple shared that they are overwhelmed with emotions due to the level of support and congratulatory messages they have received.

“We felt so supported. Persons who we didn’t even know were just cheering for us, and looking on, and just being a tower of strength to us. We really felt elated. We’re happy that we were able to finish — and finishing together was a key point for us,” Terry-Ann told the Jamaica Observer.

Gavin added that the moment was made even more special when they reflected on the challenges they faced, noting that it was not an easy journey.

“With a third degree, there are different timelines and different dates for defence and so on. There was no guarantee that we would have finished at the same time, so just being able to finish together by itself was a great achievement,” he said.

A viral video capturing the moment at their graduation has led to many dubbing the two “couple goals” for their dedication to walking this journey together. Humoured and honoured by the title, they shared that it feels good to be recognised in this light, and have even had a few people come up to them to congratulate them on their achievements while out and about.

“Since the graduation persons have said that their husband or their wife have said to them, ‘Let’s study together’, ‘Let’s do it like how they did it.’ It’s not easy, but it can be accomplished because you have the same struggles and you are going through it together,” said Terry-Ann.

“We had to deny ourselves and sacrifice time. We couldn’t do as many date nights as we normally do — those had to go on the back burner — but it’s both of us sacrificing at the same time and so it’s rewarding when you can really go through successfully and it does not destroy the marriage,” she added.

The Robinsons moved to the Cayman Islands from Jamaica in 2008, and they both occupy demanding positions in the education sector — Gavin as deputy principal of Clifton Hunter High School and Terry-Ann as the teaching and learning coordinator at John Gray High School. They began their doctoral journeys just six months after welcoming their daughter, and also have a seven-year-old son.

Reflecting on how challenging it was to balance work, family, and school, Terry-Ann told the Sunday Observer that they had some tough times but by the grace of God, leaning on each other, and support from family and friends, they endured and came out the other side.

“Navigating studying with a newborn and with my older son was hectic. One of the good things for us is that Gavin is a night person and I’m a morning person, so he studies at night while I sleep, and I wake up in the early morning and study,” she shared, adding that creating and maintaining a schedule was crucial.

Gavin shared that practising the biblical teaching of being each other’s helpmate was particularly crucial as they leaned on each other for support.

“By helping each other, that is how we were able to get through all these difficult things. Through support, being there for each other, and perhaps the most significant way is just to be there with a person who understands what you’re going through. When you’re venting now, the person who you are venting to knows exactly what you’re saying because they are going through the same thing,” he reasoned.

After months of hard work, Gavin shared that they were both excited at the prospect of once again graduating together. However, uncertainty bloomed when Terry-Ann was awarded her degree, and his was still pending.

He shared that he defended his thesis three months after his wife, and was unsure if his degree would be awarded in time, but with what Terry-Ann is calling “divine intervention” his degree was awarded three weeks before graduation.

“When you look at the dates, mine should not have come through because I was three months behind in terms of my defence date, but as God would have it my degree came through shortly after… That three-month gap was closed and so we were very happy for that to happen,” he said.

Terry-Ann shared that she was overjoyed that she would get the opportunity to walk across the stage with her husband, especially since they missed the opportunity after completing their masters because they were in the process of moving to the Cayman Islands.

Celebrating the milestone, they took their family on a much-needed vacation to Europe, travelling to the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.

However, they are not hanging up their school supplies just yet as they plan to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

“We believe in lifelong learning so wherever the learning is, we will be there. Probably not a full degree but definitely any worthwhile certificate programme or any training we can find, we’ll be willing to take that on,” said Gavin.

In a message to other couples inspired by their story and contemplating pursuing a degree together, the husband and wife said to plan effectively and decide how they are going to make it work.

“It’s a lot of compromises, it’s a lot of scheduling of time — particularly if you have children and they are involved in a lot of activities — so you have to schedule the time and you have to put away selfishness. You have to have each other’s best interest at heart, because it’s easy to want to focus on yourself and want to do your best because you are thinking about your education, but both of you are studying so it takes a lot of compromises,” said Terry-Ann.

“Despite the challenges, just look towards the goal ahead and you will be able to finish as long as you work together. Allow God to help you as well,” added Gavin.