Keeping It in the Family: Mother-Daughter Duo Graduate Together with Social Work Degrees

A pair of graduating family members at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are redefining what it means to have a close mother-daughter relationship.

These two tight-knit family members are not only graduating on the same day, both with degrees in social work, but the daughter is literally following in her mother’s footsteps.

Caleigh Fitch Clayton will graduate May 10 with a bachelor’s degree in social work, while her mother April Fitch will earn a master’s degree in social work.

Following their family graduation, Clayton will start work in June at Pinnacle Pointe Outpatient Clinic in Batesville, taking over her mother’s position as a qualified behavioral health provider. On the same day, Fitch will begin her new position of mental health therapist, also at Pinnacle Pointe Outpatient Clinic.

“We are super excited to serve our community as mental health advocates,” Fitch said. “I have really enjoyed my time at UA Little Rock and loved the professors. Our long-term goal is to be in private practice together one day.”

Originally natives of Bastrop, Louisiana, the Fitches moved to Batesville, Arkansas, in 2016. Fitch, who already had a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice, found it was the right time to pursue an old dream.

“I was a social worker in Louisiana and worked for child welfare for 10 years,” Fitch said. “When I moved here, I wanted to fulfill my calling from a long time ago to be a therapist. I applied to work at Pinnacle Point in Batesville and got the job in 2020. Then I started the online social work program in January 2021.”

Clayton also began attending UA Little Rock during the spring 2021 semester and decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps to pursue a social work degree.

“I watched my mom be a social worker my whole life, and I always said I didn’t want to be in child welfare, but then I realized there is much more to social work,” Clayton said. “The world needs therapists and ultimately that is what I want to be. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

This semester, Clayton has been interning at Pinnacle Pointe Outpatient Clinic and is now learning the ropes to take over her mother’s position in June. Clayton admits the experience has been “kind of weird.”

“I get jokes about following in your mother’s footsteps quite often,” Clayton said. “I am doing exactly what she does and plans to do. I will eventually go back to school and get my master’s degree and become a therapist as well. We do have a line between personal and professional.”

Fitch said the working dynamic has been challenging, as she must treat her daughter like any other employee.

“It’s been challenging yet rewarding,” Fitch said. “We thought it would be difficult because we are so much alike. I do give her positive feedback and constructive criticism. I want her to be receptive to the things I teach her so she can be the best. I am very proud of her. I think she will go places, hopefully to my private practice one day.

On the other hand, Clayton said she is proud of her mom for pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist.

“I am proud of my mom for doing everything she’s done, especially for going back to college and pursuing a career she is good at, even though she already had other college degrees.”

One of their cherished activities during this period in their lives has been weekly Sunday dinners at Fitch’s home.

“Caleigh moved out a few years ago when she got married, and it was hard on me,” Fitch said. “Now I cook every Sunday for my family. Caleigh comes over, and we sit on opposite couches and do homework together every Sunday because that is our life now.”

“Our lives revolved around school this whole time,” Clayton agreed. “I’ve been able to ask my mom questions about my degree. She has more knowledge, and it has been helpful to ask her thoughts and opinions.”

While Fitch’s and Clayton’s story of starting and finishing school together, working together, and eventually planning to go into private practice together seems to fit like a well-worn glove, they swear it wasn’t planned.

“This was not planned, but it just fit together,” Fitch insisted. “It wasn’t planned for Caleigh to take my spot, or for her to intern here, or for us to work together. Looking back, it just all worked out.”

Outside of work, this mother and daughter duo have a very close family and enjoy kayaking, riding four wheelers and ATVs, and going on adventures together. They are celebrating their graduation by taking a family vacation to stay at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, along with 16-year-old daughter Ava Fitch. While Ava has expressed interest in becoming an ultrasound technician, the family hasn’t given up on adding another social worker to the mix.

“She has the heart of a social worker and doesn’t know it yet,” Fitch said. “She advocates for the little guy, and I think she would be great.”