{"id":43871,"date":"2022-07-06T07:55:05","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T11:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=43871"},"modified":"2023-06-29T11:33:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T15:33:40","slug":"its-never-too-late-to-succeed-new-degree-program-aimed-at-working-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2022\/07\/its-never-too-late-to-succeed-new-degree-program-aimed-at-working-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s never too late to succeed: New degree program aimed at working adults"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Larry

Larry Guess, a critical care paramedic based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, is working to complete his undergraduate degree thanks to the UTC BAS-AL program. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the fall of 2021, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga launched a new degree program aimed at working adults.<\/p>\n

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Leadership (BAS-AL)<\/a>, housed in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, is a fully online program serving students with previous college, military or work experience\u2014 also known as adult learners\u2014who want to complete their undergraduate degrees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a pretty diverse group as far as our backgrounds, what\u2019s got us there, where we plan to go,\u201d said Larry Guess, one of the fledgling program\u2019s students. \u201cOWLS is what I call us: Older, wiser learners that have life experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not the kids we were the first time we went to school; we\u2019re looking at our goals and dreams a lot differently. I mean, there are several grandparents in this program. Hearing their stories and seeing how they align with mine, it blows me away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are three of their stories.<\/p>\n

\"Jaden,<\/p>\n

Christina Culbreath and her sons Jaden, left, Jasen and Jacob.<\/p>\n

Her three sons<\/h4>\n

Christina Culbreath and her three sons relocated to Chattanooga in 2016 after accepting a job opportunity at Erlanger Health System, where she started as a revenue cycle team lead and now manages multiple application teams. She received an associate\u2019s degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2010.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have twin boys who are currently seniors and we\u2019ve been looking at different colleges,\u201d she said. \u201cIn doing so, I saw that UTC had this leadership program that\u2014as a single, working parent\u2014gives me the flexibility I need to participate.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as I\u2019m encouraging my older two that college would be a great opportunity, this also is a great opportunity for me to accomplish a personal goal. It is giving me the chance to finish school as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about how the new UTC online program has created leadership opportunities at home and work<\/a> for Christina Culbreath.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Paramedic

Critical care paramedic Larry Guess is on pace to participate in December commencement ceremonies 25 years after beginning his academic career.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/h4>\n

Twenty-five years to the dais<\/h4>\n

After a brief pause in the conversation, Larry Guess started laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just threw 30 years\u2019 worth of stuff at you in a two-minute chat, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Guess, an emergency medical service member for 16 years and a paramedic the last four, checks off multiple boxes on the list of constituents the BAS-AL program aims to help cross the finish line.<\/p>\n