Why Learn Tomorrow When You Learned Yesterday?

by Stephen Levine

She works as a clerk typist in Nassau County. She’s a local hospital volunteer and an active church member. She is also a wife and a mother who finds time to study as a University College student. Business major Venis Sudu-Brown hopes that earning a degree will lead to a more promising career.

Ms. Sudu-Brown took advantage of Adelphi’s prior learning program and saved herself at least two semesters and nearly $12,000. As a part-time student, she has already earned 20 credits toward her degree.

“Prior learning saves time, money and I’m learning what I want to do,” Ms. Sudu-Brown said. “It’s a special opportunity, especially for adults.” University College allows for life experience credit, taking into consideration prior learning and specialized skills that may be equivalent to college-level course work. The College caters to the busy lives of working professionals, offering evening and weekend courses and accelerated schedules.

Ms. Sudu-Brown is one of many who take advantage of this program.

Carmen Rojas, a University College part-time student, has earned 38 credits in prior learning through a combination of work experience and foreign language skills. In May 2010, Ms. Rojas returned to college after a long absence to pursue her dream of receiving a bachelor’s degree. Not only is she a student, but she also serves on the University College Student Activities Board, while working full time, being a single parent of four children and maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.

“Prior learning and the Adelphi education [were] key for me,” Ms. Rojas said. “We never realize the experiences we have in life until we’re forced to see them.”

Ms. Rojas’ return to school is particularly courageous considering she is already the investor relations manager at GenNx360 Capital Partners. Previously, she had been an executive secretary to McGraw-Hill magazine editors and took courses at Pace University, Baruch College and LaGuardia Community College before stopping to get married and have a family. After a long absence, she finally decided to come back to her education to earn her degree.

“It’s very accommodating,” Ms. Rojas said. “Professors are understanding that there are other things on our plates. I appreciated the evening classes and was able to get home in time to see my family. It was a tremendously rewarding experience.”

Ronald Goodwin returned to school in January 2010 after losing his job. Looking to be part of the B.S. in Emergency Services Administration program, the Levittown father earned more than 20 prior learning credits for his military background. After landing a job as a building management specialist with the U.S. General Services Administration, he hopes to use the bachelor’s degree to further his career.

“Prior learning allows you to mature through academic learning,” Ms. Sudu-Brown said. “It allows you to learn for practice because you finally get the time to learn what you want to know. What can be better than that?”