WRAL Weekend Anchor Mikaya Thurmond decided she wanted to go back to school. After joining the Raleigh station as a morning Reporter, Thurmond decided that she wanted to go back to school and she didn't pick just any old college, she chose Harvard. 

Thurmond balanced station duties with her studies and it all paid off this Spring. She graduated on the Dean’s List with a 3.97 GPA. 

"There is no greater feeling than going after a dream and succeeding because of the support of those around you," Thurmond told FTVLive. "That’s what getting my master’s degree from Harvard was for me," she added.

She also admits that it wasn't easy.  "Let me be clear: It was not easy. At times, I felt like it would be impossible to pull off. It took me waking up for my morning shift at 2 in the morning and being home in the afternoon and evening for two courses that I took each semester. And believe it or not, I did that same routine for three years, but it was absolutely worth it!  It took a remarkable company, bosses and friends who supported my dreams and two parents that taught me to chase my dreams to make this happen," she said to FTVLive. 

Congrats Mikaya on putting in the work.