Current occupation: Adjunct Instructor, Board Certified Arborist
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
After a successful career as an arborist and consultant in the horticulture industry, I wanted to expand my horizons and teach composition and literature at the college level. The humanities have been a lifelong passion of mine and life is too short to not pursue your dreams.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
After reviewing the programs at many different universities, Tiffin offered the most appealing mix of course content, flexibility and affordability. It was the perfect combination of these core aspects that pulled me in.
Describe your experience with the program.
Before starting the program, I had a few apprehensions about hitting academic deadlines while firmly entrenched in a fulfilling career, but I enjoyed the coursework so much that it didn’t bother me at all. I found the Moodle LMS intuitive and easy to navigate. I found myself surprised at the breadth of topics covered in the program. It was impressive.
Describe your experience with the faculty and your cohort.
The professors in the MH program were tremendously accommodating and always a simple email away. I was truly impressed by their attentiveness and availability. The participation of the cohort was very high, which is what any graduate student would hope for in such a specialized program.
How did you juggle work, life, and school? Any tips?
The only way to juggle a career and school is to simply put your nose down and do it. I was nervous before I started my graduate classes because I wasn’t sure if I could keep up with the course load, yet what I found out is that if you are passionate about your studies it shouldn’t feel like work at all. I even met my future wife while juggling a full-time career and a graduate program! To say I was busy is an understatement, but it was the absolute best KIND of busy. To future students I would say, you will look back on this time fondly, so embrace the effort required.
What kept you motivated to stay in the program?
The encouragement of my professors and the positive feedback I received for my work continuously propelled me to conquer the next assignment. Every time I had to write another essay I could feel myself growing as a student and honing my skills as a future instructor.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
Do it. Life is too short to have regrets. Research your prospective programs thoroughly and have the confidence in yourself to see it through. Fortunately for me, Tiffin’s MH program ticked all the boxes I was looking for.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
Applying to Tiffin for graduate school comes to mind, for sure. I already had a successful career and did not need the extra pressure or stress that comes with a full-time graduate level course load. But I had a lifelong passion for literature and the humanities, and wanted to be involved in that world in some capacity. Thanks to Tiffin, I am now an adjunct at a higher learning institution and still have my career in arboriculture. It is a blessing to be able to have my hands in two unique fields and if I didn’t take the risk of enrolling in Tiffin and pursuing a masters degree as an adult, I wouldn’t be where I am today.