For years, pursuing a career in law remained a dream on the back burner for Melissa Winans. Between supporting her husband through a decade of active-duty military service in the Marines, raising two children, working full-time, and earning both an associate and bachelor’s degree online, life was filled with responsibilities that came first. With a strong work ethic instilled by her mother and a determination to keep moving forward, Melissa built a successful career spanning across customer service, operations, management, and government services. But the goal of working in the legal field never faded. Inspired by the belief that it’s never too late to pursue a passion, she enrolled in American National University’s Paralegal Studies Certificate program, viewing it as the opportunity to finally turn a lifelong interest in law into a new career path. Her dedication to her education earned her the title of Term Trailblazer in her final term!

Working in law has been Melissa’s dream for as long as she can remember, but life changed the course of her plans as she started her family and supported her husband through active-duty service. However, after working with a “phenomenal” paralegal, Melissa knew where she wanted her future career to go. “It was that point for me when I looked at him and was like, ‘I’m going back to school!’ That was my turning point right there,” she explains.

When Melissa began looking for her Paralegal education, she already had one of the key skills that all Paralegals need: research. “I did a lot of research. I knew that I absolutely, hands-down, needed an ABA-approved school,” she says, “I want that ABA stamp on there. So I went further, I looked into the Military Friendly, because I did utilize Chapter 35 [benefits]. So I’m like ‘who has this program? Who could I possibly have classes with veterans or their family members?’ And it was 100% [ANU].” When she finally applied, ANU’s financial services team was able to help her through the process of utilizing her benefits. “The financial aid team definitely did help me. They had to walk me through not just the student loans again – because it’s been 10 or 12 years, I mean I have no idea what I’m doing anymore, so they definitely walked me through that.

And then they definitely helped me as far as utilizing my Chapter 35 benefits, because I had never used them before, I didn’t know how it worked. And they told me how it worked and walked me through it! They were a life saver on that part.”

Now that she has graduated, Melissa is working to get into the Paralegal field in places she hopes to help and benefit military personnel, veterans, and their families. Once she gets into the field, she knows her ANU education will have her prepared to jump into it “100%, hands-down.” She explains that earning her Paralegal Studies certificate has been harder than earning her previous bachelor’s degree. “That just bounces back with having to do everything right,” she explains. “Knowing that if you make a mistake, that clerk is going to send it right back! You have to not just find stuff on your own, but you have to utilize yourself and what you know.” She goes on to say that one of the very first classes she took in her program prepared her for the rest of the education she had ahead. “It was getting into LexisNexis, how to research LexisNexis, how to write, beginning that IRAC. That [class] in itself really homed in on what skills I was able to gain from that. And then going deeper into it, I wanna say Torts with Dean Notz, she really made sure we knew how to do an IRAC analysis. Come to find out what I thought I was doing correctly, I really only was doing it about 75%. There was more I should have done – and so now I do know how to do that correctly and that will stick with me for sure!” She says these two classes, Legal Research & Writing and Torts and Personal Injury, prepared her for everything she would experience within the field.

“Completing this program totally rewired my brain on how I write, how I think, how I look at things, how I research, how I raise my children!”

When asked which of her professors have left a positive impact on her, she responds, “each and every one of them have.” She goes on to name several: Professor Conrick, Professor Henderson, Dean Notz, and Professor Clark. “Yes, they each teach their own ways, but they give you their own perspectives. So going into it and having active practicing attorneys or active paralegals that are also instructors, you are getting all aspects of everybody’s brains! And I think that’s amazing.”

Melissa’s future goals include a five-year goal of getting into her career working with veterans. She also sees herself moving into a senior role or a management role. Upon reflecting on her goals, she states, “I don’t think I would have gotten at least to this point of actively applying to federal jobs if I hadn’t have gone through this program.”

Would she recommend ANU to others? “I actually already have done that!” She explains that she is part of several groups on Facebook for Paralegals and recommends the program there. “I have recommended ANU because they are an ABA program that just recently got their recertification for several years down the road. But not just that – even though it’s online, you still have that face-to-face time that is required. So you’re still in class for two hours whenever you do have class time,” she says. “I have done online school where they did not have lectures or class time, and then I’ve done it with ANU. And I would prefer [ANU]. I think you learn much better when you have somebody teaching you face-to-face and you’re interacting personally with your peers and instructors.”

Her advice to new Paralegal students is “to listen to the professors. Because they know what they’re doing, and they know what they’re talking about.” She says that students should be prepared to be humbled by what they do not know. “But it’s a great experience, and I would do it all over again with ANU! I really felt like I was part of something that was close-knit and not just doing something online.”

The post To Benefit Those Who Served appeared first on American National University.

After first graduating from American National University when it was known as National Business College in 2000 with an associate degree in accounting, Stephanie Holley built a career in the tax field before stepping away to focus on raising and homeschooling her two sons. Over the years, life brought both challenges and change — from navigating multiple sclerosis and breast cancer to facing major personal transitions later in life. Determined to create a new path for herself and driven by her faith, she returned to ANU at 53 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management, inspired by a desire to build a stable future and step confidently into a leadership role. Her hard work has not only deemed her a Term Trailblazer for Term 258 but has her inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at ANU!

While Stephanie enjoyed her time as a medical transcriptionist, the role she was in was being phased out. And after some thought, she said to herself, “why not return to ANU?” Upon her research, she found that we moved our business programs online, a big change since she attended in the early 2000s. “The fact that I could do it all at home, and I am so used to doing everything at home – I really enjoy it! When I saw that I could do it all online, and, of course, the financial aid, I’m like, ‘okay, this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” she explains with a smile. She also goes on to explain that her switch from accounting to management was to help her better her work with people and how to lead and supervise them. “I thought, ‘why not go back to ANU?’ when I found out they’re now a university instead of a college!”

“Having the Zoom classes is huge! I wouldn’t think it would make that big of a difference, but it does… I have learned so much just taking the six classes I have taken – but I am looking forward to getting my degree!”

In Stephanie’s time at ANU this time around, she has been impacted by her professors and the way they teach their courses. One that stands out to her is Dr. Steven Stoddard. “I graduated the first time with a 4.0, and I thought I would like to do that [now], but I’m 53 years old, my mind’s been affected by MS, there’s no way,” she begins to explain. “But Dr. Stoddard – I mean, I have become a better writer because of him… he really took what was in the reading and he made it applicable.” She goes on to explain how he made learning more than just reading from a textbook. “The first class I had him was Customer Service Management. And I thought the things I learned in that class I am taking that, because part of my job will be to start new businesses. I will take that and what I learned about how to segment your customers and everything – and that were things that were practical, and you don’t quite get it in the reading, but once you go through the Zoom class and doing the assignments, that’s what really put it in perspective.” While she entered class with apprehension, she left it with more knowledge and understanding than she could have guessed, and it’s made her both a stronger student, but a stronger future employee.

“I have embraced AI because I use it for research. I try to keep an AI journal to turn in with each assignment to say I use this for research. So just learning that kind of thing – that’s something I never would’ve even tried had I not been in school [at ANU].”

Stephanie’s goals after graduation reflect the journey she has been on to get here. “Hopefully still cancer free,” she begins, “and not getting any worse with my MS, because that can rear its ugly head at any time… just running this non-profit and, I guess the biggest thing is, to answer God’s calling for my life.” Upon her graduation, Stephanie talks about having a job lined up with a non-profit organization. “And so this happens to be part of it. I have been called to help run this non-profit. I want to honor Him with that calling and to help people to make their lives better… to make the world a better place and this is a steppingstone to that, by getting my degree and learning what I do need to know about taking on this endeavor.”

Would she recommend ANU to others? “Oh I definitely would! It’s been a great experience for me,” she says. She explains the differences between going on campus 26 years ago to her online experience now. “It’s casual, there’s been times I just want to wear my [pajamas], and I couldn’t do that if I were going on campus! It’s nice not to have to drive.” She also appreciates the structure of ANU. “I enjoy that the fact that it’s terms and not semesters. It seems like you do more classes in a year [with ANU] than you would if you were doing a semester.”

Her advice to new students who join ANU includes “keep an open mind and embrace technology, especially someone in their 40s or 50s, if you’re gonna go back to school, get to know the technology – because it’s going to be a big part of your life, and I think it’s going to be a big part of the future no matter what we do… Hard work pays off, and you’re never to old to go back to accomplish your dreams.”

The post Keeping an Open Mind appeared first on American National University.

When Egbeichi Egwu Okoro enrolled in the MBA program at American National University, she was balancing more than just coursework—she was navigating the field of corporate law in both the United States and Nigeria. What she found in the program reshaped not only her professional path, but her confidence in what she could achieve. She happily paints in her free time and advises other creative people on their intellectual property rights. Her work in the corporate world inspired her to dive into the business side with her education. Egbeichi’s dedication has earned her the title of Term Trailblazer for Term 258!

Question: Why Did You Choose ANU for Your Education? How Did You Find Us?

Answer: I found ANU through a colleague and upon doing my research, I realized that ANU’s curriculum was exactly what I needed.

Q: Why Did You Choose Your Program?

A: While my legal background has given me a deep understanding of business law, I chose this MBA program to solidify my business acumen and bridge the gap between my current experience and long-term goals, ultimately allowing me to better drive organizational outcomes.

Q: Where Do You Work? What Are Your Daily Responsibilities?

A: I work full-time for consulting firms where my daily responsibilities span from advisory to strategic implementation. While I secured my current role through independent initiative, my experience at ANU has significantly expanded my professional toolkit, enabling me to deliver more impactful, data-driven results for my clients.

Q: Do You Think ANU is Preparing You for the Work of Your Program?

A: Absolutely! ANU’s curriculum focuses on cross-functional knowledge to help leaders solve complex, parodical problems, a daily reality in my field. Additionally, by systematically embedding research skills into every course, the program ensures output is always grounded in rigorous, data-driven frameworks.

Q: How is Your Overall Experience with ANU? Do Any Moments Stick Out That You Will Take with You When You Graduate?

A: A moment that sticks out is an intensive project in Financial Management where I had to lead a cross-functional team under tight deadlines. Coming from a legal background, I initially focused on risk mitigation. However, collaborating with peers from finance and tech challenged me to pivot toward value creation. That shift in mindset, from being a ‘protector’ of assets to a ‘driver’ of growth, is something I will carry into every client engagement.

Q: Are There Classes or Instructors Who Made Positive Impacts on You?

A: Two professors were particularly impactful. Dr. Racquel Thompson-Best in Business Research taught me to use data to buttress my professional recommendations, while Dr. Traci Dingle in Legal Environment of Business helped me reframe my legal background as a strategic tool for value creation. Their courses provided the foundation for shifting my mindset from a risk-focused advisor to a driver of organizational growth.

Q: What Do You Like Most About ANU?

A: What I appreciate most is the immediacy of the curriculum. I can take a framework from Monday’s exercises and apply it to a client project on Tuesday. It’s not just academic theory, it’s about functional expertise that I can use in real-time.

Q: What Are Your Future Goals? Where Do You See Yourself in 5-10 Years?

A: In the short term, I plan to move into senior strategic roles where I can apply the frameworks from my MBA to manage more complex business operations. Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, I see myself in an executive leadership position, using my combined legal and business expertise to drive large-scale organizational growth. My focus is simply to become a versatile leader capable of navigating both the commercial and regulatory sides of a major enterprise.

Q: Would You Recommend ANU to Others Looking to Earn Their Higher Education? If so, why?

A: I would definitely recommend the program to professionals who want a practical, practitioner-led education. What sets ANU apart is the immediate ROI; the curriculum is designed so that you can take a framework from the courses offered and apply it to your work the very next day. It’s an ideal environment for those looking to sharpen their existing expertise with functional business acumen.

Q: What Advice Do You Have for New ANU Students?

A: My biggest piece of advice is to engage with the faculty early. Professors like Dr. Racquel Thompson-Best and Dr. Traci Dingle bring immense real-world experience to the classroom, and their insights can help you reframe your perspective far beyond the textbook. Also, be prepared to step out of your comfort zone; the real value of the program comes when you stop thinking like a specialist and start thinking like an integrated business leader.

The post Looking Beyond the Law appeared first on American National University.

Long Beach, California, native Siedra Johnson built her life around caring for others—both professionally and personally. Working as a direct support professional, she assists elderly individuals with their daily activities, a role that reflects her natural compassion and dedication. Raised by her grandmother, she grew up with a strong sense of resilience and creativity, often finding joy in creative ventures. Surrounded by a supportive boyfriend, family, and her two stepchildren, she found fulfillment in caregiving careers like home health, where helping others brought her a deep sense of purpose. Although she excelled in school, she once stepped away from her education—until the memory of her grandmother, who always believed she had what it took to work in healthcare, inspired her to pursue that dream with renewed determination. She joined American National University’s online Medical Assisting program to pursue her passions. With her dedication, Siedra was named a Term Trailblazer for Term 258!

When she made the decision to return to school, she began researching programs online, determined to find the right fit for her goals. It didn’t take long for American National University to stand out. “ANU was just on it! They answered all my questions, everything was [sic] timely, everybody was nice and very helpful… I got a good vibe from everybody, it just felt right,” she shared. That positive first impression was only strengthened by her experience with her admissions representative, I’Kea, who played a key role in making the process feel manageable and personal. “I’Kea was very supportive and she understood little things I had going on, she would work around it, I would work around her schedule, it was very cool!”

Throughout her time in the program, Siedra found encouragement and support from her instructors, including Carrie Rodriguez, Dr. Stephanie Denton, and Andrew Halverson. However, one professor who made a particularly lasting impact was Abby Chelstowski, especially during a challenging term when balancing school, work, and life became overwhelming. “She worked with me for Term 258! It was hard! It was like – I wouldn’t say it was hard, it was just with work and the things I had to turn in – I was exhausted! I started procrastinating a lot. And most professors won’t get into depth… she was like, ‘hey, you didn’t turn this in, if you don’t turn in something, you’re gonna have to repeat all of this!’ I was probably like four or five weeks in [a term], she would open things back up for me… I would get it done,” she explained. In reflecting on her time in Professor Abby’s class, she smiled and said, “she was just like, ‘Sisi relax, you got this!’ She was just so supportive, it didn’t seem like she got irritated by my questions… She was always nice and prompt and I love her! She really got me here at this point.”

“I think they, for some positions, they probably overly prepare us for!”

Her future goals include working in a unit for children or within a clinic to give back to her community. “I would love to have an opportunity to work with babies!” She enthuses.

Would she recommend ANU to others? “I definitely would. Especially the busy person who [sic] can’t physically go into a school, that are working or busy with homelife… [With ANU], you can move how you want to, just make sure you get it done. I would definitely recommend it, it’s ten out of ten. And it’s a great online school!”

Her advice to new students: “Come to class, make time for your work, study but don’t overstudy, and just make sure you’re paying attention to all of the material the professors are posting. Check your emails to keep yourself on top of everything.”

The post Back to School, Forward in Purpose appeared first on American National University.

After dedicating 14 years as a full-time caregiver to her three special needs children, Vernee Thompson made the decision to return to school and pursue a Paralegal associate degree at American National University. Married for 16 years and supported by a strong network of family—including her husband, children, mother, siblings, and extended relatives—she approached her education with determination and purpose. Building on her previous bachelor’s degree, she chose to expand her skill set through ANU’s Paralegal program, demonstrating that it is never too late to pursue new professional goals. Her journey reflects resilience, commitment, and the impact of a strong support system in achieving academic and career success.

Her decision to pursue a career in the paralegal field was driven by both practicality and personal interest. After initially planning to earn a second bachelor’s degree, she discovered that her intended program had been dissolved, prompting her to explore alternative educational paths. With a long-standing interest in law, she began researching various legal services careers and identified the paralegal profession as a strong fit. She reviewed programs approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) to ensure quality and credibility. “And since I wasn’t able to attend in person because of children’s disabilities, I decided to see if there were any online schools that the American Bar Association approved of,” she explained. “One of them was American National University, so I reached out to them, they reached back out to me, and that’s how I got enrolled!”

Vernee also highlighted how ANU’s paralegal program expanded her understanding of the paralegal role, as well as prepared her for the realities of the workforce. She explained, “I feel like I – it was a really great course in legal services and legal theory, something I didn’t really think about. Because I’m thinking, ‘oh I’m just a paralegal, I’m just gonna be handling paperwork.’ Well, it’s more than that. You’re also interviewing clients, you’re handling confidential information, you communicating with the courts, you’re communicating with attorneys.” Additionally, learning from career-experienced professors deepened her understanding. “It prepares you for the life of working in a law office – and it helps that your professors are also lawyers, or former paralegals, or current paralegals! So they understood what needs to be done in a law office through our assignments and discussions to help us become paralegals.”

She also pointed to the hands-on tools incorporated into the program as a key part of her preparation, particularly the use of industry-standard legal research platforms like LexisNexis®, which she had access to within her courses. Reflecting on this experience, she shared: “Lexis+ is basically a subscription for legal aid – it helps you look up cases, it helps you research how the cases were decided, how it was treated – was it treated negatively and favorably by the courts – and it gives you the background information on the cases. Also you can use it look up cases – previous cases, supreme court cases, cases in your state, federal as well as state administrative laws, and different things like that. So it was a great, helpful tool… for legal students to use because if you go to your law firm.”

“[ANU] prepares you for life outside of school. It’s not just a bunch of theories, but its real world applications mixed with clinical evaluations when you’re doing your assignments and doing your discussions.”

Throughout her time in the program, she found consistent encouragement and guidance from her instructors, including the Paralegal program dean Wendy Notz, as well as professors teaching her law and business like Traci Dingle, Dr. Lyndsey Obringer, Sheri Clark, and Lisa Custer. Reflecting on their impact, she shared, “All of the professors at ANU have been phenomenal for me. I could reach out to them, they were available for me, to answer questions timely. No question was off limits, everything was clearly explained, and if I had trouble with something, they were very detailed and they were very open and honest with me. All of them were very inspirational for me. So there is not a single one that I could say – they all inspired me, every last one of my professors did.”

Vernee’s future goals are to continue to be a solid figure for her children. Since graduating from ANU, she wants to work within the realm of family law as it was something she focused on in her previous career of social services. However, she takes things day by day. “I take it as it comes, and I just try to live each day to the fullest – because tomorrow is not promised to anybody!”

Would she recommend to ANU to other students looking to earn their higher education? “Yes, I would! I like the ease of the program. It’s still intensive because [a term] is ten weeks. But you learn so much in those ten weeks… You learn synchronously and you learn asynchronously as well,” she explained. “You know I also would recommend it because there’s the flexibility. If you work days, they have night classes – if you work nights, they have day classes. And the professors are very accommodating! I’ve met cohorts in my classes who have full time jobs and are [sic] full-time parents and they still were able to do their work, they were still able to attend their classes.”

“I think no matter where I go in law, I feel like I am prepared more than I would have been if I had not gone to ANU.”

Vernee’s advice to new students: “I would suggest that they do their work – not try to do everything at one time but try to space it out. Know your deadlines. Just time manage. If you have trouble, go to the professors, they’re very accommodating.”

The post From Home to the Courtroom appeared first on American National University.

The reapproval by the ABA’s House of Delegates, acting on the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Paralegals, reflects the programs’ continued adherence to rigorous national standards in curriculum, instruction, and faculty quality. This milestone ensures that students completing the paralegal program will continue to graduate from a program recognized for meeting the highest professional benchmarks in paralegal education.

“Achieving ABA reapproval is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, as well as the high-quality experience we provide our students,” says American National University president, Dr. Frank Longaker. “This recognition provides our graduates with a competitive edge as they begin or advance their careers in the legal field.”

The ABA approval makes American National University’s Paralegal programs part of a select group of programs nationwide that meet standards designed to prepare students for success as trained paralegals. Graduates of the program are equipped with practical skills in legal research, ethical practice, and substantive law, enabling them to support attorneys and legal teams effectively across a wide range of settings.

“I am incredibly proud to celebrate the Paralegal Programs’ ABA approval.  This is a milestone that reflects the hard work, commitment, and excellence of our Paralegal Program community,” says Paralegal programs dean, Wendy Notz. “This achievement does not happen by chance. It happens because of people who believe in the mission of this university, who invest their time, passion, and expertise into building programs that change lives. ABA approval is more than recognition—it’s a promise to uphold the highest standards for our students and the profession.”

American National University’s paralegal programs integrate theoretical foundations with real-world applications, preparing students for roles in the legal field. The program’s online and flexible format allows working adults and busy learners to balance education with professional and personal commitments. Our students are trained by professionals that have real-world experience and knowledge about the career. For more information about either paralegal program, or how to apply, visit www.virginia.an.edu.

American National University – Be live, in class, from anywhere.

The post ANU’s Paralegal Programs Earn ABA Reapproval for Seven More Years appeared first on American National University.

After fourteen years working as a medical assistant, including time as an office manager, Danielle wanted to focus on the behind-the-scenes portion of healthcare. She wanted to gain knowledge of health information programs to pivot her career, and also to aid her in her future goals of becoming a registered nurse. She chose ANU to get her to this next stage of her career. She joined the Health Information Management program for many reasons. “I chose ANU because, for one, I know that it’s veteran-owned, veteran-founded,” she says. She continues, “when I was researching, I wanted something that had multiple stars, not just general reviews. I wanted something that had strong reviews. And I knew with ANU – looking at the reviews for the college and on social media also – you just see the high reviews for the college. So, for me, that’s what stuck out. And seeing students’ reviews is a huge plus for me.”

Through her experiences with ANU, Danielle’s professors have always stood out to her. Not only is she learning the skills she needs to succeed in her future career, but they have always been there for her to rely on, even when she isn’t in their classes. One who really stands out is Sherry Davis, the very same professor who nominated her to be a Term Trailblazer for Term 254. “I’ve been happy so far! My professors are amazing, I love Mrs. Davis,” she explains. “She’s been there for me through everything, from the beginning to now. Any questions I have, I can just reach out to her with no problem.

It just makes me feel that I’m wanted there as a student – that’s huge!”

Not only that, but Tracy Dingle has stood out to her for the same reasons. “She has high expectations for us as a student, but also if there’s questions, then don’t think we can’t ask [them],” she says of Professor Dingle. No matter what the question is or what Danielle is looking for, her professors have stuck by her side. “They always said, ‘if you’re not in my class, or in any one of the classes I’m teaching, we’ll always be here. Just reach out’.”

In her classes, Danielle is also receiving the experience she needs to jump into the workforce. Through simulations, she has been able to practice the skills she’s learned within her classes. “And doing the simulations we have to do, right now, on the sims chart – it’s fun for me! I sit there and I zoom through a lot of them because I’m like, ‘this is just fun!’ Inputting data, inputting medical history – it’s intriguing to me,” she explains.

“So they’ll give us a patient chart and tell us exactly what to do to document it – under appointment, immunization records, office visits, insurance data – so you’re doing what you would actually be doing in the field! You’re getting the hands-on portion of it.”

Many of Danielle’s initial goals revolved around being there for her family. “My first goal was, obviously, CPC (Certified Professional Coder) in billing and coding. I surpassed that goal – I passed. Ultimately, my goal with that was to work from home and to be able to have the flexibility with my kids,” she says. Upon reaching that goal, Danielle had realized she wanted and could do more. “I’m always one of those that likes to have more than one certification or career – it makes me more well-rounded. So I decided, ‘okay, let me go back for my RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician)’ which will give me another step up with my CPC. Because I’m finding a lot of jobs – if you have both, you have a better opportunity at getting that job.” When she finishes her education at ANU, she hopes to work in a hospital setting. And then, in the future, she hopes to return to school to either become a registered nurse or to move into respiratory therapy, as she’s asthmatic and has been researching that field.

Something that is important to Danielle is the way she has returned to education even while taking care of her family. With children in sports and needing more healthcare, her life remains busy, but even so, she is pursuing education. “I am being that example for all four of my kids. If mommy can go back to school, and I can graduate, and I can get high honors, and I can have the 4.0 GPA – you can, too! It takes a little work ethic, it takes a little bit of effort, it takes the time to study, but anybody can do it. And I’m going to be that example for my kids.”

Would she recommend ANU to others? “I have – I’ve actually referred ANU to several people already! One, for the flexibility. Two, for the professors. And three, for the foundation of what they stand on and the education part of it. It’s worth it in the end.”

Her advice to new students: “Have a plan, have a calendar, you have got to set times aside – you got to [have] time management. You can’t just think you can whip through your assignments in one night – it’s not like that… You just got to take the time out and pick and choose what’s important to you. For me, it’s my classes and passing with a 4.0, and me learning and getting my education. And learning the material! The number one thing I can tell somebody is time management and play with the system until you get it down in what works for you, because everybody is going to be different.”

The post Being the Example: Danielle Garcia’s Path to Education at ANU appeared first on American National University.

Medical and Health Services Manager

This is often the most direct and clear path. This usually includes managing operations in a hospital, clinic, private practice, or public health department, among others. Managers in these positions often oversee budgeting and managing finances like patient fees and billing, recruiting, training, and supervising staff members, representing their facility at governing boards, and developing goals and objectives related to efficiency and quality of services. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field is projected to grow 23 percent from 2024 to 2034.

Health Information Manager

For many who enter a Medical and Health Services Management educational path, the administrative track is where they want to be. Many join this field through medical billing and coding or health information management tracks. Some of the things that people managing health information do include, but are not limited to, overseeing medical records to ensure privacy and security of patients’ health information, implementing and managing electronic health record systems, ensuring compliance with governing bodies, and organizing and updating information in databases. Those in this role may pursue additional certification, such as from The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Assisted Living or Long-Term Care Administrator

One of the many places that those with this degree can become a manager of includes assisted living or long-term care homes. The Medical and Health Services degree can prepare students to run assisted living facilities. Many of these responsibilities are supervising staff, recommending changes to policies and procedures like reassessing recordkeeping, overseeing maintenance and repair to machinery, and ensuring the facilities are compliant with environmental, health, and security requirements and regulations. According to BLS, this career track is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034. And with the older generations aging to need care homes like this, many more managers will be needed to keep operations running smoothly.

Healthcare Compliance Manager

Those in management typically have the unique ability to not only understand what healthcare providers must do to care for patients but also understand the policy and work that goes into managing procedure. A consistent healthcare compliance manager is critical to maintain legal and ethical operations as regulations in healthcare can be complex and consistently evolving. These managers will regularly monitor, interpret, and implement healthcare laws, policies, and contracts as they change with the field. These managers ensure adherence to regulatory standards like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

A bachelor’s degree in Medical and Health Services Management opens the door to a wide range of impactful, fast-growing career paths—from medical office management and healthcare compliance to long-term care administration, consulting, and beyond. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, organizations need leaders who understand both the human and operational sides of care. If students are ready to step into a role where your decisions can improve patient experiences, streamline operations, and support healthier communities, this field offers a meaningful and rewarding future.

At American National University, the Medical and Health Services Management bachelor’s program is designed specifically for busy adults who want to advance their careers without putting their lives on hold. With flexible scheduling, career-focused coursework, and instructors who bring real-world healthcare experience into every lesson, ANU helps you build the practical skills employers look for—from leadership and compliance to finance and health information management. Whether you’re entering the healthcare field for the first time or leveling up your existing experience, ANU provides the support, structure, and knowledge you need to succeed. To learn more about ANU’s program, go to an.edu.

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For Samantha Kunz Voelker, a lifelong dedication to hard work has always been second nature. After years in retail, where her friendly and outgoing personality shined, she found herself longing for a career with more purpose and room to grow. When her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 heart failure, Samantha’s life changed dramatically. She became deeply involved in his care, learning everything she could about his condition and medical needs. That experience sparked a new passion for healthcare and inspired her to pursue her education at American National University, where she could build a meaningful career while continuing to care for her husband at home. Her dedication and determination recently earned her recognition as a Term Trailblazer for term 254!

At first, Samantha wasn’t entirely sure if a career in healthcare was the right path – she just knew how much she loved caring for her husband and children. As she began exploring schools online, one name immediately caught her eye. Her strong sense of patriotism drew her to American National University, and she decided to learn more. After filling out her information, she was soon contacted by a member of the admissions team, whose encouragement and guidance helped Samantha take the next step toward her new career journey.

“She made me want to go… she instantly made me feel like I was part of [ANU] already.”

Her education at ANU has given Samantha the confidence to improve the care she gives her husband, and to one day join the field of medical assisting. “It’s more than I ever thought,” she says, “being able to do school at home and work in my own comfort, I feel like I’m absorbing more. I don’t feel as intimidated.” Being online has given Samantha more freedom to learn in the comfort of her own home, whereas an in-person environment would cause her more stress. She explains that being in-person wouldn’t provide her the comfort to join discussions, whereas ANU’s Zoom sessions have given her that opportunity.

“I also think doing it online [with] the live lectures – the live lectures are actually my favorite part! Because the discussions – I get to hear everybody’s point of view about a topic about a certain topic so it makes me look at it in a way that I wouldn’t have looked at it before… I personally feel like I learn a lot more doing [classes] online than if I were doing it in a classroom.”

Samantha found the staff at ANU to be supportive of not only her journey but also her peers’ journeys at every turn. The Medical Assisting program chair, Carrie Rodriguez, is one of the first staff that made an impact on her. “She helps everybody. She’s just got a pure heart and she’s good in anything! If there’s ever any questions about anything – it could be something [that has] nothing to do with her – and she will help you in every way,” Samantha explains.

Additionally, Dr. Stephanie Denton has made a difference in her learning experience. “I absolutely love her!” Samantha begins, “she talks a lot, but she knows a lot about a lot. If she doesn’t know, she’s gonna look it up and tell you… She’s right there every bit of the way for everything that you’re doing. To me, that helped me learn a lot. She gave me a really good foundation to be able to be successful in [my] classes.” One of the highlights of ANU’s online experience is that it brings people from all over the country closer together. In Samantha’s time, she learned that Dr. Denton grew up not too far from where Samantha lives now. “After talking to her and getting to know her, I felt like I almost knew her on a personal level [because] we have a lot of friends in common, towns in common, and stories in common.”

Her future goals include working at the clinic where her husband goes for appointments. After that, she hopes to love working in the medical field as a medical assistant so she can possibly pursue a nursing degree later. “I have a friend who is a nurse practitioner – and in the town that I live in, there isn’t any clinics, so we would actually try to get a clinic here and have something at home,” she explains. “Already, doing all of this, I already know, I am far more passionate about it than I thought I would be. I thought I would just do it to hopefully to help others learn about LVAD and certain heart failure and challenges my husband has faced. I see myself continuing and continuing to grow my education in the healthcare field.”

Would she recommend ANU to others?

“I have actually already recommended ANU to a few people around here, that I’m trying to get them in,” she says. She has a friend who has been struggling with the financial aid portion of education. “The financial aid team at ANU was so easy to communicate with and helped handle things. That was my biggest thing I was worried about, and they made it so easy for me!”

Her advice to new students starting at ANU is: “Plan! Daily planners, plan, write out schedules… I am a mother to three stepchildren who live with me, I have a husband in end stage heart failure, I have nine rescue cats, I work a job, and I am a full time student. If you plan everything out, it will work just fine!”

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