Peggy Moore, who worked at Temple for 44 years, was thrown a graduation party by her two granddaughtersPeggy Moore is finally a college graduate, nearly 46 years after first beginning her degree.

The 75-year-old woman, who first started at Temple University as a student in 1980, officially graduated this year with her degree. Peggy has also worked for Temple for the past 44 years and, for the last few years, has been enrolled at the college alongside two of her granddaughters.

“My title is administrative specialist, but around here in the provost’s office, they call me the chief problem solver because I get everything done,” Peggy told Today in an interview about her job at Temple.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When she finally crossed the stage and received her degree, Peggy shared that she just felt so proud of herself for accomplishing her goal.

“When I crossed that stage, the first thing [that] came to my mind, ‘I’ve made it! I’m finally here!’ And really proud of myself achieving what I set out to do years ago,” said Peggy.

The college graduate first started at Temple in 1980, but stepped away to care for her two young sons. “When things happen, sometimes it’s just not your time,” she explained of needing to leave.

Peggy returned to work at Temple while raising her boys. But tragically, her oldest son died at age 19 from a congenital heart defect, and Peggy found herself struggling to process his death.

“When no one was looking, I was sitting at my desk crying sometimes,” remembered Peggy. “And one of my colleagues in the budget office came over to me and he said, ‘Well Peggy, I think you should take a class.’ Kind of take the focus off my depression.

And that was the best advice that he gave me.” It was more than 20 years ago that Peggy’s coworker suggested she take a class. She ended up building her college credits and found herself enrolled at Temple at the same time as her two granddaughters.

“It was a great experience to just see her grow and develop and work towards her degree,” said Peggy’s granddaughter Najah Siddiq. “While I also was working towards my degree.”

Najah and her sister Raihanah Siddiq threw their grandmother a graduation party to celebrate her accomplishment.Too often we have older people in our family who have accomplished so much and have contributed so much to our lives, but we aren’t able to really thank them before they’re gone,” said Najah.

“So it was really good to have that experience of being able to have our family, friends, her loved ones give her her flowers while she’s able to run miles and really enjoy the accomplishment that she set.”

Next, Peggy is set to start her graduate degree.

“Oh no, I’m not slowing down at all. No, I’m not letting grass grow under my feet!” she joked.