Hi! My name is Grady! I am 45 years old and have lived in Halifax County, VA my entire life. I am married with two beautiful daughters. My wife and children are my life. I like to spend quality time with them on camping trips and lazy afternoons on the lake in the summer. I have worked for ABB over twenty years. Currently I am a project Manager for ABBĚýTransformer Remanufacturing & Engineering Services (TRES). My personal hobbies are hunting, raising cattle, and gardening.

What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝?

When I first decided to obtain my degree, it was for job security, I had lots of work experience but no formal education to back it up.

Why did you choose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s Graduate & Professional Studies program?

How I chose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ was by chance, a friend at work had registered for the online program and was telling me about it. The ability to take classes from home or just about anywhere seemed interesting and let me tell you I have, from camping, waiting at airports, to sitting in a parking a lot discussing a problem with my professor. I reached out to ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ and the rest is history.Ěý

How has your degree from ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ĚýUniversity assisted you in your career?

What this program has taught me is well beyond what was expected. I have a better understanding of the inner workings of business models and evaluating data to make more informed business decisions. Getting my degree from ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ will allow me to move up the cooperate ladder.

I reached out to ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ and the rest is history.Ěý

What advice would you share for current and incoming students in ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s GPS Program?

My advice to current and incoming ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ GPS program students is to have planning and preparation. Always be prepared and complete assignments on or before the completion date, you may never know when the internet may go down. Also, no matter how difficult it may seem, you can do it.

What keeps you motivated while in your degree program?

My family helps to keeps me motivated, always reminding me that “You can do this. Each class gets you closer to the finish line.”

What is your anticipated date of graduation?

My anticipated graduation is August of 2019 and what a celebration it will be.

Learn about our BBA Program

The post Meet Grady Vernon, Online BBA Student appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.

Here’s where ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ comes in. We specialize in helping working adults move from point A to point B with a BBA, or Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Whether you’re eying a promotion in your current company or you want to venture into new territory, this practical online program will prepare you for the challenge. Need more convincing? Check out these reasons to go after your BBA in 2019.

• Getting a BBA is a great idea at any age. It may be a little easier to go to school when you’re 18 than when you’re 28 or 38, but it’s still doable. Online programs like ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s give you the flexibility to fit school around the rest of your life.
• More education qualifies you for more opportunities. Having a BBA degree on your resume automatically puts you in the running for jobs requiring that level of education. Even if it’s not required, the extra horsepower can make the difference between you and another candidate.
• A bigger view of the world makes you more valuable. Don’t let anyone tell you that what you learn in school won’t help in the real world. ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ professors have been there. They teach what you need to impress your boss or a potential new employer.
• New possibilities will arise. In a BBA degree program, you study a wide range of topics including accounting, human resource management, marketing and economics. Who knows? You might just find a new calling.
• Going to school puts a spotlight on your ambition. Employers know it takes a lot of gumption to work and go to school at the same time. Just taking the initiative to improve yourself with a BBA shows you’re willing to take on more responsibility.
• A BBA prepares you for an MBA. If earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is on your bucket list, a BBA from ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ is the logical next step. ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ will help you build the foundation you need to become an executive-level leader.

Few investments return more value than a good education. ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s online BBA degree program is affordable, accredited and tailor-made for busy adults. It’s 2019—time to invest in your future.

Learn more about our BBA program

Missed our January start? You can still start in March! Classes begin March 4^th, 2019.

Apply Now

The post 2019: Your Year for a BBA appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.

For many years, I pondered the idea of finishing my degree but life always seemed to get in the way. I would research colleges, however, the idea would quickly fade away. Months later, the idea would resurface again. Finally, a business venture with my husband made my motivation shift into high gear. We became business owners and while that sounds great, I was nervous. My degrees and education have always been healthcare related so the thought of owning and operating a business outside my industry was terrifying. That’s when I knew I had to do it. I needed to do it for my husband, our business, and most importantly, for myself. So I did. I applied to ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s GPS BBA Program.

Why did you choose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program?

I decided to pursue ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s GPS Program because the program aligns well with my lifestyle. I work full-time in healthcare, then help my husband at our business in the evenings. With ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s GPS Program, I am able to work on assignments at a time that is convenient for me as opposed to attending a physical class. The courses are accelerated and I am able to learn in the comfort of my own home. Sure, other colleges offer online classes but most aren’t accelerated courses like ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s GPS Program.

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:

Pursuing your degree is not easy but don’t give up, make it a priority.

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?

This process has not been easy. Sure, plenty of times I’ve felt like giving up but I am motivated by seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel.” For me, this is about personal growth, commitment, and dedication.

What is your anticipated Date of Graduation?

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Class of 2017

Read 6 Reasons Why Now is the Perfect Time to Earn Your BBA Degree

Learn more about our BBA program

Download BBA Requirements

The post Meet Amanda Santore, Bachelor of Business Administration Student! appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.

My motivation for obtaining my degree is for my two children to see that hard work does pay off and to never quit trying to improve yourself and your goals.

Why did you choose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program?

I chose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s GPS Program because of the accessibility and the amount of time that the Faculty, Administrators, and Staff put into each and every student. They make you feel that you are their only student.

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:

A tip that I can leave for current and future students would be that if you’re going to take the time to complete your degree you should put in just a little more time to graduate with honors, because ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ will make it worth your while.

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?

My family drives me to accomplish my goals and they are the reason in which I have had such a successful career in the Army and they drive me to prepare for my next chapter in life.

What is your anticipated Date of Graduation?

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Class of 2018

Read 6 Reasons Why Now is the Perfect Time to Earn Your BBA Degree

Learn more about our BBA program

Download BBA Requirements

The post Meet Michael Andrews, Bachelor of Business Administration Student! appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.

My initial motivation has been my kids. I want to finish college and set an example for my children. I also want to prove to myself that I have what it takes to finish what I started years ago. Graduating will show all of the hard work, time, and effort I put in.

Why did you choose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program?

I chose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s GPS Program because of the flexibility and ease. As a full time working mom, I have limited free time and the GPS program fits into my busy schedule. Since the GPS program is remote, I can attend class anywhere!

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:

Take a second every now and then to reflect on how your motivations may have changed. Keeping up with what drives you, will help you push through to the end!

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?

Every class I take gives me new perspectives. I have become more open and understanding. Always learning something new is exciting!

What is your anticipated Date of Graduation?

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Class of 2019

Read 6 Reasons Why Now is the Perfect Time to Earn Your BBA Degree

Learn more about our BBA program

Download BBA Requirements

The post Meet Lesley Purviance, Bachelor of Business Administration Student! appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.

1. You’re not 18.

Phew! Thank goodness, right? Who really wants to be back at that stage in life where how many “likes” you get on your social media platforms for your 100^th selfie of the week seem to be more important (and all-consuming) to your 4,305 friends than what really matters most to you – making a profound difference both in your world and in theĚýworld. Though there are certainly teens achieving incredible things at their young age, there’s just really no comparison between earning your Bachelor in Business Administration right out of high school vs. going back to school when you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50+s. Your focus on the big picture of how your BBA degree will help you be of service to others, your ability to enjoy the journey and embrace each and every college course, and your choice regarding how to spend your Friday nights, are all vastly different when you pursue your BBA degree when you’re older (and know a lot more) instead of when you’re 18 (when you think you already know everything)!

2. You’ll bring more to the party.

Perhaps you’ve held various jobs for various employers or you’ve been with the same company for years; maybe you’ve been a full-time (and by full-time we mean 24/7) housemaker, mother, father, or single parent. It doesn’t matter which scenario seems to describe you best, the fact is – your personal and professional life experiences throughout all these years will contribute significantly to your success in your college classes. The unique perspectives, opinions, philosophies, and ideas you will bring to the “party” will not only help you to garner a deeper understanding of what you are studying, but also enable you to inspire and help your peers secure a broader and deeper understanding of the particular topics throughout your Bachelors of Business Administration classes.

3. The “swag” gift bag you’ll get will be overflowing.

The knowledge, skills, and experiences you bring to a conversation, a college class, a seminar, or a party directly affect what you will “get” out of that experience. If you don’t know anything at all about sailing the Atlantic on a catamaran and attend a conference on catamaran sails and pontoons, you won’t get much out of that experience. Granted, you will know a little more about the topic than you did before you attended the event, but it will be nowhere near what an avid daily Hobie Cat sailor gets out of it.

When your BBA degree’s marketing course requires you to read case studies about how businesses likeĚýRed Bull andĚýGatorade have mastered the art and science of brand marketing strategy, you’ll get a lot out of it if you have knowledge of marketing and/or have ever seen some of Red Bull’s or Gatorade’s phenomenal marketing commercials. The more knowledge, experiences, and skills you bring to your college courses, the more you will get out of them. That’s why this is the perfect time to pursue that academic goal. Had you attended college right out of high school, many of the concepts, scenarios, and research studies you would have explored back then would have been hard to relate to, challenging to understand, or just not meaningful to you in any real-world way.

4. It’s your ticket out or up the next step on that corporate ladder.

Whether you’ve been wanting to be promoted to a managerial level with your current employer, or you have been looking to change jobs and secure that dream position, obtaining a Bachelor in Business Administration degree will significantly help you to accomplish that goal. In fact, just starting your academic pursuit is often enough to be offered a promotion. If your employer sees that you are striving to improve yourself and enhance your skills by taking the initiative to earn your BBA degree, you could be offered that manager’s position right now over an outsider with a college degree getting it.

Employees who get promoted are the ones who go above and beyond what is expected of them. They arrive earlier than scheduled; they stay later; they help their colleagues before they are asked; they take pride in their work; and they have a “can do” attitude. If your positive disposition just doesn’t seem to be quite enough to get you where you know you ought to be, earning your BBA degree is your ticket to go where you want (either up that corporate ladder or out of your current position and on to a better one).

5. If not now, when?

°Ő´Ç»ĺ˛ą˛â’s the day. Not tomorrow, not next week, and not when things get better or things change. Getting information today about the steps involved in earning your BBA degree will get you started toward your goal. Making a phone call today to talk with an experienced, personable Admissions Counselor will get you the answers to all the questions that have been collecting cobwebs and taking up space in your head. Enrolling in just one Bachelor in Business Administration college course today will get you up and moving closer towards achieving your lifelong goal to earn a college degree (and you get to stay in your pajamas the whole time!)

6. That pajama thang.

Decades ago, the pursuit of a college degree meant you had to take a shower, get dressed, look presentable, gather all your assignments, tackle the traffic, and drive to a brick and mortar building to attend your scheduled classes. Sometimes you’d have more than one class on the same day, but hours apart. That meant you either had to stay on campus all day long until the evening class started, or you’d drive home only to have to drive back later. Thanks to 21^st century technology, you have other options now.

Today you can still earn that Bachelor of Business Administration without leaving your home, without leaving your dog, and without getting out of your pajamas. Moreover, you don’t have to be “present” in a class at the exact same time every week; instead, you typically simply have to post a weekly discussion by the designated day, respond to other students’ postings a few days later, and then turn in an assignment by a Sunday night deadline. Voila! It’s (really) that easy! So, at two in the morning while the rest of the world sleeps, you can be sporting your favorite PJs while writing a magnum opus about how entrepreneurial-spirited people launch their dream businesses (even while in their pajamas).

On Campus or Online BBA Degree Programs

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s popular BBA degree program explores all the essential topics relevant in today’s business world. From accounting and finance classes, human resource management coursework, and economics to management, marketing, quantitative analysis and statistics, and legal, regulatory, and ethical issues, a BBA degree from ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ will enable you to gain confidence and have a solid foundation in the various facets of creating, developing, managing, and sustaining a profitable, successful business (whether your own or someone else’s).

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From 8 Reasons to Go Back to College as an Adult to How to Choose an Online Degree Program to Tips to Balance Work, Family, and Going Back to School, ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Graduate & Professional Studies is here to help you succeed in both your professional life and your academic life (which, when combined, will help to make your personal life everything you had hoped and dreamed). You may also like Tips to Consider If You are Dealing With a Bad Boss or You Know It’s Time to Go Back to College When.

Until next time, explore our online degree programs ~ all specifically designed for the busy lifestyles of adults.

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The post 6 Reasons Why Now is the Perfect Time to Earn Your BBA Degree appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.