CWA loves to hear our students' stories!
Kandi Wilder, AA '06, BA '08, MBL Graduate, '10
I made the decision to attend the College for Working Adults to increase my knowledge base as well as set an example for my daughter. Of course there were obstacles.....working fulltime, being a mom and balancing my child's activities with school, and still finding time for volunteer work that I hold dear.
However the one-night per week in-class schedule plus meeting with my study team 4 hours a week enabled me to fit a pursuit of my degree into my life. Convenience, convenience, convenience!
I have definitely increased my marketability, my professional skillset, and met professionals from many different industries in the classroom. I'd recommend the William Penn experience to just about anyone looking to get a degree to improve their career outlook!
Traci Riley, MBL Graduate, 2010
I am Traci Riley and began my journey at William Penn University in January 2006 while working as a Customer Service Rep. At the time that I started William Penn I was a single mom of a 7 year old daughter. I knew this would be a sacrifice and was committed for the long haul which also meant that I had to do everything to make sure my daughter was not missing out on her interests too. I graduated in May of 2008 with my BA in Business Management.
Before I lost my study habits I enrolled and completed my Masters in Business Leadership in the first class after the pilot and graduated in May 2010. There were times that I wondered if I could truly endure what I had gotten myself into. After all my daughter is a year round sports kid and at times she was double enrolled in soccer and tried to sign up for volleyball at the same time. I was working full time, serving on the Board of Directors for Campfire USA and attending classes full time.
Since I began my journey at William Penn I have had 7 promotions and doubled my salary since my customer service days. I now work as a Project Analyst and will soon begin teaching leadership classes at William Penn University. I am very grateful to the William Penn program, my recruiter Adam Springer who helped me realize that my dreams were in reach and my family and daughter who supported me every step of the way. The William Penn staff has been so supportive and I have made lifelong friends through the study groups and Cohorts.
Thank you, William Penn for helping me to realize my dreams and opening doors to my future that I never imagined possible. Without my education I don’t know where I would be, but it’s a sacrifice that is worth every moment!
Mary Kate Sinclair, Current B.A Student
Hi, my name is Mary-Kate Sinclair. I started at William Penn University in the spring of 2008. I was working as a customer service rep. At that time I was a single mom of a three year old little boy. I was looking for a new direction in my life and ready to make changes no matter what it would take.
When my first class came along, I was very nervous and afraid of making a fool out of myself. I didn’t have any self confidence and was very unsure of my ability. It was then that I met Dr. Judy Richardson. At that time, I did not know my life was going to change so much.
Dr. Richardson was so willing to help everyone learn. Later, in another class with Dr. Richardson, I started to fear my ability to do the work. Dr. Richardson informed me that she would help me. I was astounded that she would take time out of her busy schedule to assist me in learning. I took her offer and found that I had it in me the whole time and she knew it. I just needed to get rid of my fear and try harder. There have been many good instructors along my way through the Associates program with William Penn University.
William Penn University means a lot to me and the people in it--the instructors, fellow students and even all in the office. They have all helped me in one way or another to accomplish my near to impossible goal. The instructors have helped boost my self confidence, challenged me to do better, and gave me the tools to succeed! Fellow students encouraged me, gave me friendship, and made classes a joy. I often find myself very thankful for the People in William Penn University, like Dr. Judy Richardson and Dr. Jane Watkins. These particular instructors have influenced me in many ways. One area in particular, when I started college, I was only going to college to get my Bachelors degree. Now, “when I grow up”… I want to teach college education. Until then I am going to school to get my PHD like Dr. Richardson and Dr. Watkins! I hope to someday be as big of an influence to others, the way they have been to me.
Currently, I have completed my Associates degree. I am seven months into my Bachelors program and looking forward to getting to know more instructors, befriend more classmates and learn more. I no longer suffer from depression; I have more confidence, and have more of a direction that I want my life to go. I no longer work as a customer service rep. I work as a manager of six departments and am currently looking to expand my opportunities. I am truly a changed person.