Post-traditional Learner Spotlight: Gloriann Switzer
Gloriann Switzer is a student at Worcester State University in Massachusetts. In addition to pursuing her degree, she works full-time as a paraprofessional kindergarten aide and part-time as a coordinator of an after-school music lesson program. She is also a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children who are in the custody of the Department for Children and Families in Worcester County.
Switzer expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in October 2020. She created her own major – liberal studies in victim advocacy. She will also graduate with two minors - one in sociology, which she has already completed, and the second created as an interdisciplinary minor blending criminal justice, psychology and creative arts.
Switzer used ACE’s College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT®) and CLEP exams to obtain credit for some required general education courses and as prerequisites for major-specific courses.
From our conversation with Gloriann Switzer:
Q: What helped you decide to return to college and earn a degree?
A: I was looking into taking a single course when I came across Worcester State University’s (WSU) adult learners program. I met with an advisor and left with a wealth of encouragement and ideas, including contacting ACE to see what credits I had to work with and where to begin. The support and encouragement that came from my family, friends, and coworkers also helped me to move forward with my decision to return to college.
Q: How did you get started at Worcester State University?
A: I turned to WSU based on a special education course I took several summers before I made my decision to return to college. It was an amazing course that condensed 13 weeks of curriculum into eight weeks during the summer. Since I gained so much from that course, I looked to WSU again to find another excellent opportunity to learn.
Q: What motivated you to work in your field of study?
A: In 2017, I became a court appointed special advocate (CASA) serving Worcester County. The main purpose of a CASA is to be the voice and representative for children who have been placed into the custody of the Department of Children and Families. We advocate for the child’s interests by bringing concerns about physical health, mental health, and education to the appropriate professionals, and we assure that the child’s needs in these areas are met.
Becoming an advocate had been a goal of mine for a long time. Upon receiving my first cases, I knew that this was something I would truly like to do as a career. I am not someone who can sit at a desk all day and I love working with children.
Q: What are some of the obstacles you have had to face in pursuing a college degree? How have you been able to overcome them?
A: The prominent obstacle is time. Everything in our lives that matters, such as family, friends, being productive, and being a good co-worker, requires time, focus, and attention. I had to step back from social gatherings to apply myself to my studies and I had to prioritize my family’s needs so I didn’t miss important events. My spouse and children have been an endless source of support by encouraging me to push on and giving me the time to focus on my studies.
Q: Where did you find professional support to help you figure out and persist with your educational and career goals?
A: The advising staff at Worcester State and the professors provided words of encouragement, constructive criticism, and direction to tools and resources I would not have known about on my own. The adult learner program helped me create a 90-page portfolio that presented my life’s learnings in an academic format. This allowed me to earn 24 credits and a scholarship to pay for my continued education.
Q. How has making use of alternative educational pathways (such as ACE credit recommendations) benefited you?
A. The ACE credits and the efforts of the ACE representatives to get my past courses transferred to Worcester State gave me the confidence I needed to believe my degree was attainable. My non-traditional status at Worcester State allowed me to take advantage of a more flexible course schedule by taking in-person evening classes, as well as online courses. I also used CLEP exams to obtain credit for some required general education courses and as prerequisites for certain major-specific courses.
Q: What would you recommend to other adult learners thinking about returning to college to get a degree?
A: I highly recommend looking into programs at a local college. If they offer a non-traditional or adult learner program, make an appointment with a representative. Be prepared to talk about courses you might have taken in the past and know your flexibility so you can build a course schedule that you feel comfortable with. You have life experiences and those experiences have value in the academic setting. Once you begin the process, you will feel energized to push on and get it done.
Q: What do you need to pay attention to when selecting a college?
A: Make sure the college offers an adult learner program or non-traditional student program. They should also have someone experienced with those types of students who can advise you through the process. Also, if you are unsure about choosing a major, look into their liberal arts program and find out what kind of support is offered in that program of study. For a good fit, you should be able to blend in-person classes with online courses and use CLEP exams. Of course, if you have past credit, make sure the college works with ACE to accept those credits.
Q: What do you think that colleges, employers, and other community organizations could do to help more people get postsecondary credentials that lead to good careers?
A: I have been very fortunate because my supervisors and coworkers at both my full-time job and my part-time job have been extremely supportive and have allowed me flexibility each step along the way. I think that providing flexible work schedules is one way to help students. Tuition reimbursement is very valuable. If an employer requires employees to complete some kind of professional development, why not ask higher education advisors to come in and present their programs? Hosting a small college fair on a regular basis, either through a community organization or at the place of employment, would also be helpful.
Q: Beyond the career opportunities that open up, what are other ways in which you think your college degree will be beneficial?
A: A college degree represents a life task that has been started and completed, and it is a universal accomplishment recognized in any field. I advise anyone, young or old, who has put it off, to please reconsider. On a personal level, I will be able to show my children, rather than just tell them, how important getting a higher education is and will always be as they enter the workforce. My oldest graduated with honors from college and is employed as a biomedical engineer. My twins continue to be on the dean’s list every year and are finishing up their junior year of college. All have talked about completing graduate school while working in their prospective careers. We are so very proud of them and will always support them in any way we can. I am immensely grateful to them for their love and support while pursuing my own college degree.