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Fall 2003

Are you facing health challenges?

Then Scheryl Holdaway’s story will inspire you. Scheryl has been battling cancer for the past two years. With all of the doctor’s visits and times when she was not 100%, she still managed to graduate in May of this year with a degree in Human Services.

She began her academic journey here at Kennesaw State University in 1999. At that time she selected Psychology as her major, but after her second semester of classes changed to Human Services. Scheryl has made contributions in several organizations during her enrollment as a student at KSU. She has had an active role as an Ambassador; a Presidential Fellow; as Vice President and Public Relations Director of the Human Services Club; and as a member of the Gerontology Club. In addition to her determination and perseverance, she credits her success to the "multitude of faculty and colleagues who were kindhearted, caring, concerned and supportive on the campus "my Human Services professors were all mentors to me in a very strong way. I was truly blessed to have them all as mentors."

She began her academic journey here at Kennesaw State University in 1999. At that time she selected Psychology as her major, but after her second semester of classes changed to Human Services. Scheryl has made contributions in several organizations during her enrollment as a student at KSU. She has had an active role as an Ambassador; a Presidential Fellow; as Vice President and Public Relations Director of the Human Services Club; and as a member of the Gerontology Club. In addition to her determination and perseverance, she credits her success to the "multitude of faculty and colleagues who were kindhearted, caring, concerned and supportive on the campus... my Human Services professors were all mentors to me in a very strong way. I was truly blessed to have them all as mentors."

Scheryl’s husband is very supportive. "My husband has always told me that pursuing my degree was my job." Her husband is retired from the U.S. Army after 34 years of service and has been employed as a manager for Barnes & Noble Booksellers for the past 6 years. Other members of her family include her Bassett Hound children, as she lovingly refers to them.

When asked about obstacles faced while obtaining her degree, she said that it was difficult to hear and see in the classroom. As far as positive experiences, Scheryl said that she really enjoyed playing an active part in many organizations here on campus. Another positive aspect of here journey was connecting with the Lifelong Learning Center. "The LLC was a tremendous support system. There were knowledgeable staff and colleagues available to assist with almost anything. God led me to the LLC as I was not seeking it when I found it. I’m extremely grateful that I did. Everyone was so embracing, caring, concerned and helpful and it made my academic experience a lot less stressful."

Scheryl summed up her story with some encouraging words for those of you who are just starting your college career after being away from school for some time. She said, "I would tell anyone who has been out of school for a long time and fear returning to compete in the classroom with younger students to pray first, then tell yourself everyday that you know you can do it just like the younger folks, you might be a little slower paced, but hey, nobody really notices you unless you open your mouth. And, if the wrong thing comes out...well, they’ll respect you even when /if they don’t agree with you."

How far do you want to go with your education...some adult learners are blazing the trail to their Ph.D.

Stephen George began classes at KSU in 1988. He graduated in the spring of 1999 with his undergraduate degree in Public & Social Services with a formal minor in Philosophy. Then, he went on to obtain a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from KSU’s Conflict Management Program in 2002. Next, he went on to graduate this past May with a masters degree in Public Administration. And currently, he is a doctoral student completing his coursework through a distance learning program with Capella University located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Stephen is a very determined and focused individual. His goal is to graduate in 2005 with his Ph.D in Higher Education with an Emphasis in Higher Education Administration. He is involved in a number of outside initiatives. He sits on the Osborne Prevention Task Force, Inc. (OPTF) Subcommittee for Prevention, Intervention and Treatment. He is also involved in the initial phase of developing a nonprofit therapeutic Gang Alternative Project for Cobb County/Metro-Atlanta.

You may be asking, ‘what’s his secret for success?’ He says, "The way I obtained success in school is to look at school as a full-time job. Financial burdens have been a tremendous concern throughout the higher education process and student loans, scholarships, and grants were how I financed my education.

Regarding student loans, I simply quote Dr. Hicks-Coolick’s counsel to me. One time she told me "Stephen, do what you love and the money will come." and that is just what I am doing."

Stephen has received tons of support and encouragement from family and friends, especially his mother, grandmother and from a special woman that he’s met while attending KSU. "Yes, a support network is critical to academic success."

Stephen has faced a number of obstacles, both outside and inside the school environment. He has two daughters, one of whom he raised as a single father while taking on the challenges associated with that situation; he has endured unethical treatment during his academic career; and he has also battled low self-esteem due to past challenges that he faced growing up without his father.

He did, however, have the strong influence of his grandfather, who he spoke of fondly. "He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. The main things he taught me is that being a man isn’t about being physically strong...its about being responsible. He taught me that if a man does what he says, and says what he means, his word is his bond, and his handshake is worth more than a signature." Stephen’s grandfather is no longer with him, but his influence is always there.

Some of the positive aspects of Stephen’s academic journey include his connection with the Lifelong Learning Center. He refers to the center as a critical social arena where he unwinds and engages in developing and maintaining relationships with classmates and friends.

Stephen believes in the power of education as a substantive force agent for change. He feels very strongly about the attitude one should possess when choosing a profession in the social services and educational field. He says, "...the student should come first. When dealing with a student you should treat that case like it’s the most important case on your caseload, because to that student it is. In the Human Services department, the Student Development Center, the Adult Learner Programs department, and the Lifelong Learning Center, the students have always come first." Stephen has also been instrumental in creating ALSO, the new organization for adult learners at KSU.

When asked to provide some encouraging words, Stephen shared the following:

• Cultivate and develop strong appropriate role models who value education and have experience mentoring relationships are critical for personal, professional and academic development.
• Learn good time management techniques.
• Take advantage of available resources, ask questions, read the assignment, become active in campus activities, and go to class.
• Always try to create a study buddy for each class.
• And, remember that school is about endurance...it’s a marathon not a sprint, so pace yourself.

Stephen wraps up by saying that his experience as a veteran has helped him in his pursuit of higher education, because it has taught him that you can do anything if you want to do it bad enough. You just have to be willing to pay whatever price is necessary to get what you want. If you do that everything else will fall into place.

You have the experience, but because you don’t have a college degree you’re denied a pay increase and/or promotion?

Eldrige Holloway knows just how you feel. He decided to attend KSU after hearing time and time again, "...we can’t pay you that salary or give you that position because you don’t have a college degree." He spent seventeen years in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Police Officer and is a Gulf War Veteran, but that didn’t mean a whole lot when he completed his service and entered the workforce.

Most supervisors he’s worked for are half his age and he has four times as much management experience, but he continued to hear the above words.

He started school here at KSU in the fall of 2001 after graduating with honors from Georgia Perimeter College with an Associate of Science degree. He had the privilege of being selected for the National Deans List for 2000-2001. He is majoring in Organizational Communications with a minor in Management. He’s looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2004. He says that soon they won’t be able to use that as an excuse anymore.

Eldrige is currently employed full-time for T-Mobile USA. He works in Billing Operations in the Atlanta Data Center. He’s worked there for five years. His colleagues at T-Mobile have been very supportive of his higher education pursuits, so he plans to continue his work there after he has obtained his degree.
Speaking of support, Eldrige said that he has a wonderful partner in his life, for seven years now, who has been very supportive and understands the stress involved in juggling school and work because he also works full-time and attends KSU.

Some of Eldrige’s biggest obstacles are traffic and a lack of classes offered at certain times of the year that set you back further when it comes to graduation. Other challenges he faces are juggling homework, group projects, exercise, and sleep time.

One of the positive aspects of his academic journey has been benefiting from the Odyssey Peer Mentor Program and his participation in the Communication Organization and Lambda Pi Eta. His active participation has afforded him the opportunity to attend seminars that prepare you for the real world. He has obtained information on resume writing, networking, interviewing techniques, and public speaking. And all of this lead to his being selected as one of 30 students from KSU for Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities for the 2003 school year.

During Eldrige’s first semester here at KSU, he signed up for a mentor through the Odyssey Peer Mentor Program. His mentor was president of the KSU Communication Association. He would check in with Eldrige regularly to see how he was doing with his classes. He also provided some valuable information that assisted Eldrige with class and professor selection as well as guidance on how to manage his work load. They became good friends and Eldrige decided to return the favor by volunteering his time to serve as a mentor for an incoming student.

He is now president of the KSU Communication Association and Vice President of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society where he encourages students to get involved. "I highly recommend all first year students be enrolled in the Odyssey Peer Mentor Program, it works!"