$$Louisville Campus graduate Rhonda Miller recently returned to American National University to speak to several business classes about her career working as a purchasing agent for one of the largest cabinet manufacturers in North America.
She began working at the company as a shipping clerk and was promoted to her current position after earning her degree in the office technology professional program. In her work, Rhonda relies heavily on the computer skills that she acquired at National. “I’m working with two computerized systems,” she explained. “You need to know the terms; you need to know the format of how things are done. I got my basis here [at National], and I was able to utilize that and make the two mesh and work.”
Rhonda feels grateful to have found stable employment after being laid off from her job as a welder. She knew that education was the key to advancing in her career, and she chose National over other schools in the area because of its small class size, convenient location, and affordability. “[I found the program that] I was most interested in at the best price and affordability was at American National University,” she recalled.
Throughout her program at National, Rhonda demonstrated the same commitment to excellence that she exhibits on the job today. “My boss was impressed with my grades; I graduated with high honors, and it showed,” she shared.
[img]She feels that many of her instructors, like Aquila Johnson and Luis Alicea-Batlle, also went above and beyond to see to it that she succeeded. “She was so phenomenal,” Rhonda recalled of Aquila, who instructed her Accounting I class. “She has the patience of a saint. She encouraged me and told me, ‘You’re going to get it,’ and all of a sudden, after the third or fourth class, it clicked.”
Rhonda is also a small business owner and still consults with Luis today regarding her plans for expansion. “I’m looking to write a new business plan and go to the small business administration. I would never have taken those steps if I hadn’t had [his] class,” she stated. “If I wouldn’t have had this degree, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to do what I’m doing now. I would have been limited,” she added. “It’s very true—the more you know, the more doors open.”
A- Rhonda Miller (center) is shown receiving a certificate of appreciation from two of her favorite instructors, Aquila Johnson (left) and Luis Alicea-Batlle (right), after she spoke to their classes at the $$Louisville Campus.
B- Rhonda has been promoted from shipping clerk to purchasing agent thanks to her commitment to excellence and the technology skills that she gained in her program at the $$Louisville Campus.
