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SGPS Student and Alumni Stories
What Do Our Graduates Say About SGPS?
SGPS Stories
Scott Douglas
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Information Systems
Why Etown: Scott is a veteran serving in the United State Marines Corps. Working toward obtaining his bachelor of science in Information Technology, he found the Elizabethtown College School of Professional Studies fit his lifestyle as he is also a stay-at-home looking after his two daughters. Scott enjoys the flexibility Etown’s adult program provides he and his family’s busy schedule. As an adult learner, Scott feels more motivated to succeed to make his family proud.
“My advisor is absolutely fantastic in helping me the best possible avenue for pursuing my degree something that allows me to manage both my responsibilities as a full-time dad and as a student.”
In His Own Words: “School is most definitely a top priority for me. The real trick is how to manage the dichotomy of being the best father and best student I can be. It’s manageable with my supportive family.”
Goal: Scott and his wife are new parents to a four-month-old boy and loving every second.
Advice to Prospective Adult Students: “Make the commitment–that’s the hardest step. The amount of support that you will receive in the program will offset any doubts you might have about the program.”
Etown is... Manageable.
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Melanie Wurster ‘19
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Human Services
Why Etown: Melanie is a busy full-time employee at a non-profit aimed to help rebuild communities and families by providing innovative and diverse services for children, adults and families who are facing difficult challenges and complex situations. She set a goal to obtain her bachelor’s degree to advance her career, and the program at Elizabethtown College was flexible and convenient with online classes to multiple locations for classes that she was able to pursue her goal and still fulfill her professional personal obligations.
In Her Own Words: “The flexibility is what drew me to the programs at Elizabethtown College. In my profession, I need to be on-call and assist my own staff and the Etown program gave me the flexibility to handle my work and school work at the same time.”
Goal: Melanie is continuing to pursue her goals and has been accepted to Tulane University where she plans to continue her studies in the Social Work field at the graduate level.
Etown is... Accommodating.
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Larry Henry
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Business Administration
Why Etown: Larry has been working in the business industry for more than 22 years. He turned 40-years-old, reflected on his accomplishments, and decided he wanted to work toward his bachelor’s degree to show his own children that you can work toward a goal at any age. The Elizabethtown College School of Continuing Professional Studies filled the void Larry was seeking. The flexible schedule along with responsive faculty helped Larry figure out how to achieve his goals, on his timeline.
In His Own Words: “I get asked a lot, ‘you have a solid career, why are you doing this?’ And, it’s easy. Nothing is guaranteed – it allows me to have options – should I need to ever explore.”
Goal: Once Larry obtains his bachelor’s degree, he aspires to work toward a master’s degree.
Etown is... Opportunity. “It gives someone like myself the opportunity to better themselves and get a quality education on my schedule.”
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Jessica Waltersdorff ‘19
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Business Administration
Why Etown: Jessica is a single mom of three kids. Her life is busy and she knew she wanted to provide her family more in life. She decided to go back to school and the Etown School of Continuing Professional Studies program when she heard a radio ad talking about the program’s flexibility and knew it would work well with her lifestyle.
In Her Own Words: “I’m extremely happy in the SGPS program. The professors are more in tuned with the accelerated program students having lives and responsibilities outside of the classroom and they make themselves available when I need assistance. I’m proud to set an example for my children too.”
Goal: Jessica hopes to reenter the workforce as an office manager in the medical field.
Advice to Prospective Adult Students: “It’s never too late to be an adult learner. The Etown SGPS program is built for adult learners who have lives outside of high school and college.”
Etown is... Fantastic opportunities.
Learn more about the graduate program at Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Adam Bergens '18
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration
Why Etown: Adam was an electrician looking to obtain a Business Administration degree. Elizabethtown College provided him with the opportunity to continue working full-time while a taking classes to fit his schedule. He set a goal to complete his degree in three years and accomplished it.
In His Own Words: “Don’t be scared to take on school with a full-time job. It’s totally doable and you can work at your own pace.”
Fun Fact: Adam and his wife are new parents to a four-month-old boy and loving every second.
Etown is... Manageable.
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Mariko Bender '17
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Bachelor’s of Arts in Corporate Communication
Why Etown: “When I decided to go back to earn my bachelor’s degree, Etown offered the ability to work at my pace. The program was very accommodating and the instructors were flexible and understanding of my needs working full-time as a single mother.”
Fun Fact: Mariko grew up around the world and lived in several countries as her father was an officer in the Air Force. She followed in his footsteps and joined the National Guard.
Etown is... Opportunity.
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Marilyn Bowers-Murray '12
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Bachelor’s of Arts in Corporate Communication
Why Etown: At the time Marilyn was working toward her Bachelor’s’s degree in Corporate Communication, she was a single-mother with a full-time job as an office manager for a construction company. Elizabethtown College afforded her the ability to work with her schedule and made it easy to take classes closer to home in Harrisburg. Marilyn's Etown instructors were supportive of her life goals and provided relevant material on which to build her educational foundation.
In Her Own Words: “I wanted to make a difference and make an impact in a career. I built my foundation through the Elizabethtown College program. I also wanted to give my kids an example of a role model and the motivation to pursue their goals.”
Fun Fact: Marilyn once owned her own salon. She is a professionally licensed nail esthetician and still connects with family and friends by offering manicures.
Etown is... Supportive.
Learn more about Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
Tony Knepp MSL '19
Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies: Master of Science in Strategic Leadership
Why Etown: Tony was looking for a graduate program that fit his lifestyle to accelerate his professional growth. As a full-time senior corporate human resources generalist, he needed an affordable, flexible program that offered courses to advance his leadership skills. Etown’s Master of Science in Strategic Leadership program provided Tony the ability to choose evening and online classes each semester. In three years, he obtained his MSL and is confidently recommending the MSL program to colleagues.
In His Own Words: “Each facilitator in the MSL program excels your knowledge and skills. The professors teach relevant material that you can apply in your current job immediately.”
Etown Moment: Realizing I made the right decision by pursuing the MSL program. It taught me the necessary leadership qualities needed to effectively shape my team and organization, gain investment from senior leadership and instill vision in others to make a real impact.
Fun Fact: From a young age, Tony has always been driven to succeed. In the last three years, he’s lost more than 150 pounds through hard work, exercise and maintaining a well-balanced diet. It’s one of his biggest accomplishments to date.
Etown is... Flexibility.
Learn more about the graduate program at Elizabethtown College and create your own Etown moments.
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Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2024 Elizabethtown College
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