When I was little, my mother went back to school as a single parent. She took classes during the day (while I was at school) and did waitressing in the evening. She wanted to complete her associate’s degree, but she had to stop once she was hired to work for a small insurance company during the day. Her few classes in business administration helped her find better employment, but she wasn’t able to complete her dream of earning a college degree.
As the dean for a division (The Division of Professional and Graduate Studies) that offers evening and online accelerated programs, I can’t help but wonder—what if, during the 1980s, my mom had the same educational opportunities that are available today? Our evening and online programs are unique because they offer accelerated five and eight-week classes. By offering classes that are shorter than a traditional 15-week semester, students can earn their ten classes or 30 credits per year by simply taking one or two courses at a time. Also, with the flexible formatting, students can either choose to meet in class one night per week or do all of their coursework entirely online.
Our evening and online students are very much like my mom. Many of them are parents who are working full-time (sometimes juggling more than one job). They have a need for flexible and accelerated courses because they don’t have much time between their work and children’s schedules. And yet, when I watch them walk across the stage at Commencement to receive their degrees, I can’t help but feel a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for them. They did it! Between long hours at work, shuttling their children to daily activities, and putting in sleepless nights and weekends to complete homework assignments and projects, they never missed sight of their goal. They earned their degree to better their lives, to better their children’s lives, and perhaps even more, to prove that such an accomplishment can be achieved with a determined spirit.
At age 72, my mom is not interested in taking anymore classes, but she revels in the fact that her daughter works for a college that provides incredible opportunities for adult learners. To the 23-year-old young adult looking to finish her college degree, to the thirtysomething parent wanting a new career in counseling, to the 69 year-old grandfather wanting to take college classes for the first time (after watching his own children and grandchildren graduate from college), Albertus Magnus College has provided educational opportunities for students in all phases of their life. Our adult students each have their own unique college journey and their own unique trials; however, in the end when they graduate, they share the common bond of knowing they accomplished a life-changing goal—a goal that I’m proud to say has been made possible thanks to our creative, flexible, and accelerated programming.
Annette Bosley-Boyce
Acting Dean of the Division of Professional and Graduate Studies