WORK TO LEARN TO LEARN TO WORK

By Kymani Phillips

If you have ever spent time in Barry University’s communication department, you’ve probably heard his laughter before you’ve even seen him. It’s the kind that

fills the room: loud, contagious and impossible to ignore. At the center of it is Willie Wilson, the 40-year-old junior, majoring in communication, who seems to know everyone and manages to make even a 9 a.m. lecture feel lighter. To most students, Wilson is that funny older guy who never runs out of jokes, always snapping pictures of everything. But behind the humor and the easy smile lies a story of endurance, one that few people see, yet one that defines him far more than his laughter ever could.

"Willie Wilson" Photo Credit to Kyamni Phillips

Born and raised in Miami, Wilson has spent his life working, hustling to provide for his family, himself and his dreams. Today, he’s an independent financing broker with Park Business Capital, connecting small businesses across Miami with the funding they need to grow. His work is commission-based, which means some months the phone never stops ringing, and for others it doesn’t ring at all. For those slower months, he leans on his limited welfare income to stay afloat.

“My life isn’t easy,” he said. “I’m a 40-year-old man with kids trying to get my bachelor’s while working and taking care of my parents as they take care of me. It’s stressful, I can’t lie. But I’m motivated and grateful. I just keep looking ahead to what

my goals are.”

Wilson’s dream of having his own television production company started before attending Barry. During our conversation, it was clear how deeply this goal resided with him. He aspires to have his own show centered around the concept of one’s genealogy, the study of family history and ancestry. Wilson is passionate about knowing one’s generations to fully grasp the concept of who one is.

“It’s your inheritance, your family tree,” he added. “It’s allowed me to continue to define and understand who I am, who my ancestors are, and what my purpose on Earth is.”

It was this same search for meaning that pushed Wilson back into the classroom at 40, and to bring his idea of producing his own show, he needed the experience and credibility Barry offered. College is not just a step forward for his career; it’s a promise to himself and his children that it’s never too late to reach for your goals.

“My kids were my motivation,” he said. “To be a better father, a better man, I had to make my life more stable.”

With two "baby mothers" and two children, Wilson understood that education was his "redo" button.

When he told his family he was enrolling at Barry, the reaction was raw joy.

“My brother cried,” he remembered. “He always told me to stay in school. When

I finally went back, my parents were proud, too.”

"Barry student Willie Wilson in class" Photo Credit to Kymani Phillips

Now, between classes, broker calls and family check-ins, Wilson is rarely seen without his camera. He takes pictures constantly, whether it be in class, at events,

or all the quiet moments between.

“I want to show my kids all the

cool things their dad has been doing,” he said. “But I also do it for the memories. Not everyone gets this opportunity, so I want to capture it while I can.

Yet even the strongest spirits have their breaking points. Last year, overwhelmed by life’s demands, Wilson withdrew from Barry for a short time. “Yeah, I wanted to give up,” he said. “But I made a promise to myself. I’ve got two years left, so why quit now?” That quiet resolve, to keep showing up even when it hurts, is what defines him most.

The story of Willie Wilson begins the ongoing series "Work to Learn to Learn to Work," which follows Barry's nontraditional students—those who study between shifts,

raise families between exams and find purpose in persistence. First of many, the story of Willie Wilson will remind us that determination has no expiration date.

"Willie Wilson taking notes" Photo Credit to Kymani Phillips

A short film based on his story will also be released next year. As the series continues, we look forward to sharing the stories of more students living unconventional tales. For the ones whose paths remind us that learning isn't just about education — it's about becoming.