Born and raised in central Florida, Precious Wilson has built a career defined by adaptability, growth and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. After 11 years working in dentistry, Precious was recently promoted to practice manager, inspiring her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management at American National University to strengthen the managerial skills needed for her new role. Having recently completed the university’s Paralegal associate degree program, Precious brings a diverse professional and academic background to her education, with an interest in both the medical and legal fields. As a mother of two and a professional who describes herself as a “jack of all trades,” Precious continues to demonstrate that she can adapt, learn and take on whatever comes next—qualities that earned her recognition as a Term Trailblazer for Term 262!

Precious has earned her Term Trailblazer recognition during her tenure in our Business Management Administration program, however, she already knew of American National University because she completed her associate degree in Paralegal studies in February of this year. “I was researching, I ran across a few schools, and they all sounded good. But when I came up [American National University], I was like ‘well, their program is designed around the American Bar Association, so they hit different for me’!” She explained. She took a lot of different things into considerations, like the admissions process and the amount of transfer credits she could utilize. And American National University checked every box for her. “I immediately applied and from there on, I just had a great experience. At the time, I had Ms. Linda — she was my go-to person! She was very, very good, I really miss her, she was very hands on with us…

“I will say my experience so far with American National University has been really great. I continue to come, so I’m definitely getting some good feedback from the university!”

Throughout both of her degree programs, Precious has had incredible experiences with her professors. In regard to both Dominika Falsey and Wendy Notz, “they are so smart and knowledgeable. They really, genuinely, care about what you are learning and what information they can give you and guide you. I will commend not even just those two, but a lot of my professors,” she recalled. “I really like how they try to make sure we know anything possible that can help us further in our careers.”

Now that she has been promoted to practice manager at her workplace, Precious is seeing real skills she’s learning being applied to her career. “Lots of leadership. I am definitely trying to match their leadership and how to lead the team,” she explained. She’s also learned “communication. I mean, I have already worked for the company for years now, that’s why they didn’t hesitate to put me into the role. But I think the biggest thing I am going to have to carry on my shoulders is communication, for sure, and leadership, because I’m leading a team plus doctors,” she laughed. “And then, being emotionally in-tune with myself to know that I am going to be dealing with a lot of personalities. So I have to know how to listen and absorb a lot of things from different people.”

“[This is] why I chose [American National University]. In this day and age, life is so different. Life is so demanding. I really like the fact that this works around perfectly with my life – being able to do school in the after hours.”

Precious explained that American National University allowed her to continue her life uninterrupted and earn her education without missing a beat. “Even though we have set time frames – discussions done Wednesday, homework done by Saturday – it’s still achievable,” she said. “I can work during the day, the kids [are] at school, and in and out, I do homework in between the day if I have the time. But the good thing is that my job has always been flexible, and as well as [American National University]. Everything works out perfectly with my schedule.”

Her future goals include possibly entertaining going to law school to be an attorney, or going higher into management. However, she always loves making good and effective change in others’ lives. “As long as there is growth. I love to learn. I don’t ever think you can ever know too much – it’s impossible!”

Would she recommend American National University to others? “Yes. I do that all the time! I try to say, ‘hey, if you’re looking for a school that fits your schedule and your needs, come to [American National University. Whether it’s family or friends, I always tell them about the school.”

Her advice to new students would be “be proactive in class and your schedule.” She says that knowing what you want out of your degree is the first step – and then being dedicated is the next. “You just gotta stay focused!”

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With nearly 30 years of experience in the medical field, Alisha Todd has spent much of her career caring for others and building a foundation for her own professional growth. After moving from Michigan to Tennessee in 2012, she continued her career in health care. Now, while working full time, Alisha is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at American National University, determined to take the next step in her career while balancing work, school and life at home. Her dedication and perseverance earned her recognition as a Term Trailblazer for Term 260!

When Alisha started looking for her future nursing program, she initially had her eyes set on another nursing school. She even went for a tour, however she “just couldn’t figure out how to make their schedule work with mine… Their schedule just wouldn’t allow me to work, and I have to be able to work.” She goes on to say this other institution only had their pre-requisites online, while the core nursing courses were in person. They had some flexibility, “but not enough I needed,” she explained. She joined American National University’s program for the workable schedule and for all of her classes being taught online. She found an advertisement for our nursing program and that brought her to us.

“Most of my professors have been really great, I can’t really say too much bad about anybody. Dr. De Silva is really cool! He’s a lot of fun,” Alisha explained when thinking on her courses. Dr. Carlos De Silva is the professor who nominated Alisha for her Term Trailblazer recognition. “It’s nice to have professors more than once! Especially when you really like the professor,” she said, reflecting on her time in Dr. De Silva’s classes.

Not only is Alisha finding success in working with her professors, but the ease of her schoolwork and classroom attendance is great through American National University’s systems. “I think Canvas is really well put together and easy to navigate. The video classes are great… For me, it’s worked well!

I like that the school is just a straight tuition based and you don’t have to worry about trying to go get your books, making sure you have the right books when you’re at the bookstore, or paying for the books separate [from tuition price]. It’s nice to have everything all rolled into a nice package so I don’t have to worry about it!”

Her future goals include working in cardiology because of where she has worked in the medical field previously. “I’d kinda like to get my nurse practitioner after,” she said of her future education plans.

Would Alisha recommend American National University to others looking to earn their higher education goals? “Absolutely! Anybody that’s needs to work — definitely [American National University] will work much better than any other college with your work schedule!” When reflecting on her choices of nursing school Alisha remarks that American National University is “cheaper than” the competitors she looked into. And, even then, she was only going to get her associate with the other university, but she found us and “I can get my bachelor’s degree – so [American National University] allowed me to get my BSN. I would definitely recommend [the school] to anybody who wanted to do it.”

Her advice to new students includes “make sure you attend class” to not miss out on key in-class assignments, and “make sure you get your posts in before Wednesday – just do the work!”

“[American National University] is really all-inclusive, there’s so much that they give you for resources. Some colleges set you up to fail, that’s not [here]. They have everything there to help you!”

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Originally from Washington, Haley Fauver has always valued the importance of family, making time for her three young children while enjoying summers filled with one of her family’s favorite pastimes: racing. When an unexpected health challenge changed the course of her year, Haley found herself reflecting on what she wanted for her future. That reflection ultimately inspired her to return to school and pursue an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies at American National University, taking a meaningful step toward a new professional path while navigating a season of significant change. Despite starting within an exhausting fight with cancer, she has managed to not only maintain straight A’s, but she also became a Term Trailblazer for Term 260!

“I was going through chemo when I started school. I was pretty proud of myself – I was still working, doing cancer treatment, and going to school also,” Haley explained – while also taking care of her three children. “I was surprised at myself that I was able to handle all of that and get good grades, too! I’ve had all A’s since I started school.” Despite the hardships she’s faced in life, Haley has dedicated herself to her education and always earns the high grades she deserves. She described having issues trying to start school prior to this experience at another institution and it was complicated. However, at American National University, it was so much easier. “I feel like I had no issues getting signed up for school here. Everything was just easy, everyone was super helpful. I think that is a big, huge thing, for people who are looking to go back to school, if that process is easier, then I think it makes them more motivated to hop in!”

“It was important for me to find an ABA-[approved] school and so I started there. I came across [American National University] and it just seemed like a good set up for school for me and aligned with what I was looking for.”

Her interest in law was already established in working for a law firm – so she sought out expanding her education to “advance in my career.” And American National University is laying down the groundwork that she needs to do just that. “I’ve learned things that I didn’t know before, it’s definitely opened my eyes to more things and given me more tools to use!” She explained. “The library is helpful, and I do appreciate how the professors are always there to answer any of your questions and to help you along with anything – like if you’re not understanding anything,” she further added, “that’s my favorite thing, being able to reach out.”

When speaking of professors, Haley cannot pinpoint just one that she enjoys. “All of them,” she answered quickly, “I like them all. I think they’re all great. I think that they all work great together to make the program.

“If one doesn’t have an answer to something, they’re always communicating with each other and working to get the answer for their students. I do appreciate that. They all care about their students, and how well their students are doing, and answering questions when somebody doesn’t understand. I think all of them are great.”

Her future goals include growing within the law firm she works once she earns her degree. She wants to move fully into a paralegal position and advance her career. As the firm she works in personal injury, she has had interests in learning more about that topic – but she was surprised to learn that her criminal law courses interested her, too.

Would she recommend American National University to others? “I would definitely! I think that getting started with the school was very easy and simple. I think that’s a huge thing for people because a lot of people don’t want to feel like ‘I’m so confused, I don’t know what to do here.’ And then also the way that the courses are set up – like the canvas is easy to navigate, which makes it more motivating because nobody wants to be stressed out or confused on how to get somewhere. That could deter people from even wanting to do school. And then, obviously, just all of the professors and all like how they’re willing to help you through things!”

Her advice to new students includes “go to the professors because they are all super helpful and they will always help you.” She explained that she thinks that many students don’t know or underutilize their professors when they need a better understanding of the material. “If I didn’t have the answer for [other students], I would be like, ‘you can always ask the professors things, they will help you through anything.’”

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For Barbie Levan, returning to school represents more than pursuing a degree—it represents moving forward after a difficult chapter. A Business Administration Management associate degree student at American National University, Barbie has continued working toward her goals following a car accident that left her unable to work for two years. As she navigated a long road to recovery and adjusted to a new chapter of life, she found an opportunity to invest in herself and her future through education. Her story is one of perseverance, resilience, and the determination to keep moving forward, no matter how unexpected the journey may become. Her dedication to her new venture had professors nominating her to become a Term Trailblazer for Term 260!

Barbie had twenty-six years of patient care work as a nurse prior to her accident. When she decided to return to school after recovery, she had decided she wanted to work behind the scenes of an office as a change of pace. She began in the administrative medical assisting program but felt stalled. “Halfway through that, I realized that I wasn’t really learning anything I hadn’t already known. And, in order to do what I was looking to do, I need to have more of the business aspect of it,” she explained. She transitioned to the Business Administration Management associate degree program to fulfill what she wants in her career.

How she initially came to American National University is from research. She needed something she could do at home while she wasn’t driving, and something where she could connect to other students and professors. “I was looking for remote schooling, I’m too old to sit in a classroom, and I didn’t want to be in there five days a week,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of programs out there anymore that do the synchronous classroom – it’s all like you’re teaching yourself. And I didn’t want to go through that because I tried that once before and it didn’t work for me. So that is primarily why I went with [American National University] because they have that synchronous classroom teaching and additional help if you should need it!”

Barbie’s experience with American National University was only enhanced by the way her professors and support faculty aided her during the aftermath of her car accident. “I was getting really frustrated. I was having a really difficult time trying to understand what I was reading, what was being said. So I asked about accommodations and got some,” she said. “Those have helped me tremendously so far. I’m still having a hard time with processing things… I rely heavily on my professors to fill in the gap.” But one professor that has stood out has been Dr. Dominika Falsey, who also nominated her for her Term Trailblazer recognition. “She was always very professional. She was personable.

She belongs being somebody who interacts with a lot of students, because she has done so much – she’s the reason I’m still here, still in school… she was more than a professor to me.”

Her future goals include being able to move out and on with her life after recovering from her personal struggles. “I definitely want to be in charge,” she said of her future career. “So either running an office or somehow opening my own business of some kind – I think that’s the goal when you have a business degree.”

Would Barbie recommend American National University to others? “Definitely! I think the once-a-week, or once-every-other-week, actual classroom is more beneficial for people. You get live 1-on-1 time with your professor, and you get to mingle and run ideas by your peers,” she explained. She goes on to say that meeting with her fellow classmates allows her to learn something new in conjunction with the material she learns in her classes.

“I just think the way that [American National University] is set up is helpful to people like who can’t teach themselves.”

Her advice for new students joining the university includes “make sure you show up for class!” She has not missed class since she started – and she advises if you miss, you could lose out on a lot of material. “And don’t procrastinate!”

The post Connected in Class appeared first on American National University.

For one American National University student, earning a degree in technology is about much more than advancing her career—it’s about perseverance, challenging expectations, and proving that it’s never too late to pursue something new. After earning her associate degree in her 40s against the odds of former professors saying she should reconsider her path, Elisa Landgraf continued building a career in technology while balancing work, family, and the demands of everyday life. Now pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity at American National University, she is once again taking on a new challenge while serving as the University’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Director. Her dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed: she was nominated as a Term Trailblazer for Term 260, recognizing the commitment she brings to her education and her community.

Because of a long commute and some health issues, Elisa took over twice the amount of time to finish her associate degree than expected. Because of that, she did not expect to want to return to higher education. “I honestly never thought I’d get a bachelor’s degree,” she explained, “I felt like there was no hope for me.” However, her boss, Joel Musgrove, Senior Executive Vice President of Operations at American National University, is the very person who encouraged her to take the leap. “He showed his total faith in me,” she said, “so I said, ‘okay, let’s do it for one term.’ And that was two years ago!” That push got her into the depths of her bachelor’s degree – where she has exceeded her professors’ expectations. “I’m 57! I never thought I could do this, I didn’t think it was something I could do [because of] where I live, my age, what I got going on in my life. I didn’t think it would be possible – and here I am, over half way through!”

“If it wasn’t for that it’s an online class… To be honest, I think that’s why I can do it. I don’t have that hour and a half commute [one way], that three hours of driving every day to get my degree. [American National University] is convenient! I have a two second commute.”

Elisa’s previous education had given her some online experience with hybrid classes. However, she could never connect with them as well as the other facets of her education. With American National University, all of that went away. “ANU does something that makes it a little bit easier. Maybe it’s because the classes are similarly structured so you know what’s expected… and the collaborations with the Zoom sessions, I think, is very easy. If it wasn’t for being online, I don’t think I could do it – I know I couldn’t!”

As part of the IT team at American National University, Elisa is getting education that directly affects the work she is currently doing. “I understand things better. There’s things I read that I have to do in Salesforce and I go, ‘what is that?’ Then I’ll have a network class and it’s like ‘aha!’” She explained with a smile. “I think [my education] is going to enhance my current position and enable me to grow.”

As part of her current term, Elisa had to download VMware for her Ethical Hacking course – where she built a virtual computer to open different kinds of operating systems. “We’re learning how to scan and do penetration testing, basically to see where weaknesses are in another system. So I am using my existing computer, opening a new computer on the inside of it, and testing my existing computer to see where things need to be worked on, or places where hackers can get through, or potential weaknesses on the system – which I think is interesting!” And her professors are career experienced professionals teaching her the skills she needs to succeed. Upon reflecting on the professors she’s had so far, she said, “for the most part, every one of my instructors are passionate about the student success. They want to make sure you understand the material. They want you engaged in class.”

When asked what she liked most about American National University, especially in comparison to her previous education, Elisa says “convenience.” She remembered working nine hours to support her family, then going to a café or shop to spend “too much money” on coffee and snacks to get through her four hour classes and then would have to end the day with an hour and a half drive home. “Here? I can work, I can step away, grab my coffee, go to the bathroom, and I come back [to class]. I make my own coffee! It saves me so much money in commute, in coffees, in food.

[American National University] is convenient, efficient. I save. How do you put a price tag on your time? It fits into a busy lifestyle. It makes it doable. It makes it something achievable, it doesn’t feel so far-fetched for a busy person, to somebody who’s already struggling and juggling a lot of things.”

Her future goals once included telling snarky people who denigrated her higher education pursuits that she could “freelance off of the beach in Belize.” But now that she is in the midst of her bachelor’s at American National University she feels “the sky is the limit!” Her education has allowed her to see that she could reach far beyond her own expectations. “I am passionate about higher education… I wish I could convince everybody to go to school,” Elisa explained. Her biggest push for that is not just to encourage everyone that they should go, but that they are more than able to do it. “I don’t feel like there are enough people pushing an adult to go to college, I don’t feel like there’s enough people showing the way for them, saying ‘you can do this, here’s how!’”

Would Elisa recommend American National University to others? “I would say yes, definitely! ANU makes it so much easier to do it nowadays than even when I got my associate!”

Her advice to new students includes “don’t be afraid to ask questions in Zoom sessions! Because one of the other students is just waiting – they don’t want to be the one to break the ice. Break that ice!”

The post No Price Tag on Time appeared first on American National University.

This interview was conducted in Spanish and translated by Kary Alicea. 

For Lily Cedeño, healthcare has always been more than a career. Originally from Ecuador, Lily is a dermatologist by profession and spent years building her life and career before moving to the United States. Although circumstances prevented her from continuing her previous career in the same way, she never lost her desire to work in healthcare or her passion for helping patients. “I missed helping and serving and figuring out what’s next with a patient,” Lily says. “That kind of interaction.”

Wanting to find a way back into healthcare while continuing to work, Lily began researching programs that would give her the flexibility she needed. She discovered American National University and found that the online schedule could fit around her work responsibilities. Just as importantly, she learned that the Medical Assistant Associate program was offered in Spanish.

“I wanted something that would be flexible for me, because I’m working and I needed time to be able to organize myself,” she explains. “It worked around my work schedule. It offered me the opportunity to integrate myself back into the healthcare field.”

For Lily, being able to complete her education in Spanish was another important part of her decision. While she is comfortable communicating in English, she wanted to make sure she could fully understand the material as she prepared to return to healthcare. “That was another favorable point, this program being in Spanish,” she says.

Since beginning the program, Lily has found that her education is helping her build on the healthcare knowledge she already had while also learning how to navigate the healthcare environment in the United States. She has gained confidence in making decisions, interacting with patients and helping them feel comfortable as a medical assistant—their first point of contact in many healthcare settings. “The most important thing is being able to keep going, to keep learning,” Lily says. “There’s always something more that will add to your knowledge.”

Her education has also challenged her in unexpected ways. Having previously attended a traditional, in-person university, Lily describes herself as “old school.” Learning to navigate computers, online coursework, PowerPoint, Microsoft programs and Excel was initially one of her biggest challenges. “My biggest challenge, I think, was adapting to the system, to the digital system,” she says. Rather than allowing that challenge to discourage her, Lily used it as another opportunity to grow. She learned how to organize her time, manage her coursework and balance school with her responsibilities outside the classroom. Working during the day and attending classes at night requires discipline, she says, but creating a schedule helps her stay on track. “You have to set a schedule, organize your time, so you don’t get overwhelmed,” Lily explains.

Throughout that process, Lily has found support from her professors, classmates and the university staff. She appreciates that her professors are responsive when she has questions and that she has developed relationships with classmates who have continued with her from term to term. Despite studying online, Lily says she has still been able to build a sense of community. The university’s library, professors and other resources have also helped her continue learning beyond her classes. Her dedication to her education and her classmates has not gone unnoticed. Lily was nominated as a Term Trailblazer, an honor she credits in part to Professor Rosas, whom she describes as both serious about her subject and empathetic toward her students. “She is patient. It’s great being educated by her,” Lily says.

As she continues toward completing her Medical Assistant Associate program, Lily sees her education as an important step toward returning to the workforce in a healthcare role in the United States. She knows that adapting to a new professional environment takes work, but she sees everything she is learning at American National University as preparation for that next chapter.

“For me, it’s a continuation,” Lily says. “For me, it’s about reintegrating into the workforce, within a system that’s different from what I was used to.”

Her advice to students is simple: don’t give up on what you want. “Don’t abandon your project, don’t stop your process,” she says. “Everything can be organized with a positive attitude, by being responsible and organized.” For Lily, the motivation comes from her continued vocation for service and her desire to help others. She believes that anyone can continue working toward their goals with the right attitude, organization and determination. “The worst thing that can happen is that time keeps passing, but you’re doing something for yourself,” she says. “So, don’t abandon your motivation.”

When asked to describe her experience at American National University in one phrase, Lily chooses three words: “maturing, responsibility, and service.”

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Presented each year at the DEAC Annual Conference, the Outstanding Graduate Award honors graduates from DEAC-accredited institutions who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, professional excellence, perseverance, and the transformative impact of distance education. The award recognizes individuals whose educational journeys inspire others and reflect the value of accessible, career-focused learning.

Ashley Haas was selected as American National University’s Outstanding Graduate nominee in recognition of her dedication to her education, commitment to the pharmacy profession, and determination to achieve her goals through higher education.

“Ashley’s recognition by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is a proud moment for the entire American National University community,” says university president, Dr. Frank Longaker. “Her achievement reflects the determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence that define so many of our students. We congratulate Ashley on this well-earned honor and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in her profession.”

American National University’s Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree program prepares students for rewarding careers supporting pharmacists in retail, hospital, and other healthcare settings. Through a combination of flexible online coursework, laboratory experiences, and practical training, students develop the technical knowledge and professional skills needed to provide safe, effective patient care.

“Ashley Haas exemplifies the dedication, perseverance, and professionalism that we strive to cultivate in our students. Throughout her time in the Pharmacy Technician Program, she consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a genuine passion for learning,” says Pharmacy Technician program dean, Dr. Aboagye. “This recognition by DEAC is a well-deserved achievement, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate her success and the positive impact she will continue to make in the pharmacy profession.”

The DEAC Outstanding Graduate Award celebrates graduates whose accomplishments extend beyond the classroom, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their careers while serving as ambassadors for the value of accredited distance education. Award recipients are honored during DEAC’s annual conference and featured through individual recognition highlighting their educational journeys.

American National University congratulates Ashley Haas on this outstanding achievement and thanks her for representing the University with excellence, professionalism, and determination.

About American National University

Founded in 1886, American National University is committed to providing career-focused education that empowers students to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. The University offers certificate, diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in high-demand fields including healthcare, business, information technology, cybersecurity, and more. Through flexible online and campus-based learning options, experienced faculty, and personalized student support, American National University helps learners balance their education with work, family, and other responsibilities. Guided by a mission to prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong success, American National University continues to serve a diverse community of learners by delivering practical, workforce-relevant education designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s employers.

*Banner is a screencap of the video of Ashley Haas speaking about her award presented by DEAC. View that here.

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Ebony Bailey, a mother of five from Memphis, Tennessee, is at the beginning of her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at American National University, stepping into a field she says has felt like a lifelong calling. She shares that nursing was something she first imagined pursuing as a child, with a long-standing interest in pediatrics and pediatric oncology, though she spent years exploring other academic paths while trying to find where she truly belonged. A recent and difficult hospitalization following a personal health setback became a turning point for her, as the care and compassion she received from nurses left a lasting impression and inspired her to ask questions about the profession while still in the hospital. That experience, along with a step into medical assistant training to test the waters of healthcare, ultimately reaffirmed her decision that nursing was not just an interest, but the path she was meant to follow. Her dedication to her craft earned her the title of Term Trailblazer for Term 260!

Ebony got her start in the medical field by becoming a certified medical assistant. Earning that education inspired her to join American National University’s BSN program to fulfill the dreams she’s had since she was a young girl. “That just gave me the extra push to go ahead and do nursing,” she explains. During her tenure in the hospital is when Ebony found us for her education. “I know I have kids, so my biggest thing was finding a place that would work around my schedule. I know I need a job, and I know that I needed something that was flexible,” she recounts about her motivation to joining our program.

“And [American National University] is most definitely flexible! I love the fact that [they] have night classes, because my mornings are always tied up with my children… To be honest, that probably was my number one, top choice on why I chose [American National University].”

Despite only being in her third term of her education, Ebony has found great success in her classes. She not only utilizes her previous medical assisting and phlebotomy experience to get through her anatomy classes, but her professors are all well-versed in what they do. “The teachers are very knowledgeable,” she says, “I feel like if I can ask my teacher a question and they’re able to answer it, that’s big for me. Because a lot of schools I went to I feel like I was teaching myself. I can read a book, but I need somebody to explain it to me, not in the book way, but [their] way.”

Some of the professors that have already made an impact on Ebony are Dr. Carlos da Silva, Tina Ousley, Dr. Michelle Ginn. “I love Dr. Ginn’s classes, all of her classes are awesome!” She exclaims.

So far, in her education, she appreciates the time she has available to her. “I like the fact that I actually have time to work on my schoolwork! Most of our schoolwork opens on Sundays, that gives me time because Sunday is usually my downtime, anyway. I use my Sundays to actually get ahead,” she explains. “I really like that they put things in Canvas early so if I’m done with week three notes, I can move onto week four if I want to!”

Her future goals once included working in pediatric oncology because of advertisements she used to see growing up. However, now she hopes that within the next ten years, she can work in cancer research. “I love to research, I love to read, I love to use the microscope,” she said. This is inspired by both the loss of her mother to breast cancer, and her close friend being diagnosed with lung cancer. She also recalls making a promise to a little girl that she would “make a difference someway, somehow.”

Would she recommend the university to anyone else looking to earn their higher education? “Yes I would! Actually, I already have!”

“I just feel like [American National University] is the perfect school for any parent or adult learner who’s not really into going to a big class… I’ve never seen a school so flexible a day in my life, and I have been to a lot of schools!”

Ebony’s advice to new students at the university would be “do not wait until the last minute!” She recommends making a schedule and utilizing the classwork and assignments as soon as they are open on Canvas. “Even though you’re in nursing school, still make time for yourself! Mental health is very important. You do not want to get burnt out already while you’re in school – you aren’t even in the field yet!” Her favorite way to motivate herself is to reward herself with tacos at the end of a week when she meets all of her goals.

The post Flexibility to Research Her Future appeared first on American National University.

After graduating high school in 2003, Robert Fiedler took a different path than many traditional college students. Rather than immediately pursuing higher education, he built a successful career in website design and development before discovering a passion that would ultimately shape the next chapter of his life: constitutional law. What began as a personal interest evolved into nearly a decade of work in legal research and analysis, including roles with legal and political think tanks. As he looked toward advancing his career and pursuing new opportunities within the legal field, he realized he needed the academic credentials to match his experience. At 40 years old, Robert enrolled in American National University’s Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies program to turn his passion into a profession. His dedication to his studies and career goals earned him recognition as a Term Trailblazer for Term 258.

When searching for a school, American National University stood out for a very specific reason:

“I was looking for a school where I could take what had been, for me, really sort of a personal hobby and a personal passion and get an academic background behind that as well,” he explained.

The university’s ABA-approval was a major factor in his decision. “What I love about [American National University] is because you guys do the online program, and you have the ABA [approval] which is totally awesome, and I love.”

Although he entered the program with years of professional experience, Robert found that the university exceeded his expectations. “I have been just so impressed with the quality of the teachers that I have had here,” he shared. He credits much of his success to the support he has received from faculty members, particularly Professor Sheri Clark and Dean Wendy Notz. “Professor Sheri Clark has been so amazing and so supportive of me. It’s great because I know that she shares my interest and my passion in constitutional law, and it’s been so great to have her,” he said. “Dean Wendy Notz has been very supportive of me as far as not only my education here, but encouraging me to continue my education elsewhere, encouraging me to maybe go on to get another degree, maybe go to law school. So they’ve both been just absolutely fantastic.”

One aspect of the online learning experience that surprised him was how connected it felt. Through faculty encouragement, students formed class discussion groups outside of the classroom environment, helping create meaningful connections with their peers. “I’m always surprised how much I am sort of meeting and becoming friends with classmates who are working in the medical field, or they’re working in finance, or they’re working in business,” he said. “It’s really amazing how varied the backgrounds of the students here are.” These connections were built because of Dean Notz encouragement for the Paralegal students to create chat groups to connect. “And that has been really amazing for me as well, because that’s really a way for me to connect with the other students in my class on a one-on-one basis, almost in the way you would in a real-world face-to-face class.”

Robert has already seen the impact of his education on his professional work. Courses in legal research and writing have strengthened his understanding of Bluebook citation, APA formatting, and the academic rigor required in the legal profession. “I think the big thing is academic rigor,” he began. “In my work in the past, I have tried to be very inclusive of blue book citations, but I never really had a formal education in how to do that. First, through legal research and writing, which I took with Dean Notz, which gave a very, very comprehensive understanding of how to do Blue Book citations, but also through formatting and including that has been really important for me.

“It’s really improved the professional tenor of my work when I put it out now.”

His ultimate goal is to work for a public-interest law firm focused on constitutional rights, such as the Institute for Justice. After previously being turned down for opportunities because he lacked formal academic credentials, he believes his education at American National University is helping position him for the future he envisions. “I’m really hoping that by getting this degree, by getting the ABA [approval], and other things too, like the LexisNexis certification, it’s really going to set me up for that next step that I really want to take.”

Would he recommend American National University to others? Absolutely. “The price is so exceptionally reasonable,” he said. “The remote learning program you have for the paralegal program is just fantastic for anyone who wants to get into legal studies in general.” He also emphasized the importance of the program’s ABA approval, noting, “That means so, so, so much in this field.” When asked to summarize his experience at the university, Robert didn’t hesitate. “It’s been fantastic,” he said. “I can’t say enough great things about the professors. They have absolutely been amazing.”

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