Arts & Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, 2009

An ancient philosopher once said, “He conquers who endures.” This adage applies to Ron Colbert’s life.

As a young man, Ron wanted to be the first person in his family to earn a degree. He took an admission’s test for a local college but feared that he’d failed, so he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After his enlistment, he found out that he had passed and would have been accepted.

Ron had many such false starts throughout his life—he’d begin school, but personal hardship would strike; job challenges and relocation made it impossible for him to continue his education. But, he never gave up his dream of being a college graduate.

After being discharged from the military due to a disability, he enrolled in University of Phoenix and began working toward his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Forty years after graduating from high school, Ron achieved his dream of becoming a college graduate—the first in his family to do so.

Today, Ron’s degree affords him the opportunity to understand today’s challenges in ways that he never could before. He is currently working on his master’s degree in management at University of Phoenix.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services, 2008

Obstacles that would have stopped the average person did not stop Constance English from earning her Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services from University of Phoenix.

As a child, she was the primary caretaker of three younger sisters, while enduring a childhood of abuse. She was eventually adopted by a great aunt, but her early life took a toll on her classwork and she was told that she would not graduate with her class.

Constance graduated on schedule by taking night classes, demonstrating the grit that would later help her fulfill her life’s work.

Continuing on, she enrolled in University of Phoenix because the class schedule allowed her to work both of her jobs while meeting her family obligations. Constance was the first of 63 grandchildren to earn a college degree. She believes her degree offers her the professional credibility she needs to serve others. She is currently enrolled in the University’s MBA program.

Constance was challenged by her great aunt, “Do you want to be a victim all your life or do you want want to be victorious?” Constance says simply, “I chose to be victorious.” Her long-term plans include establishing group homes that serve at-risk youths and their parents.

“All of the hardships in life happened to me for a reason, and that reason is to show others who have experienced the same things that life does get better.”

Master of Science in Counseling, 1994

Jane heads her own private counseling practice where she helps families treat ADD/ADHD and oppositional defiant and bipolar disorders without drugs in less than five counseling sessions.

After being encouraged by her patients’ parents and by her public-speaking audiences, Jane published Raising Humane Beings, a parenting book written in her signature, lighthearted style. In the book, which has sold 2,000 copies from two print runs, she says parents should use reward and inspiration to shape their child’s behavior.

“The real core of the cure is for children to have the fullness of presence from the adults in their lives without them judging or correcting,” explains Jane. “The more kids feel they can win with you, the more they will cooperate.”

Raising Humane Beings first started as a workshop 15 years ago. “People call it the mother’s bible,” she laughs.

Learn more about Jane’s practice and her book at www.janefendelman.com.

Masters of Counseling/Family Therapy, 2002

An alumni, professor and assistant department chair, Jim is no stranger to multiple careers and responsibilities. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran, has had a 30-year career commanding merchant marine ships and is today a couselor, therapist and research associate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Family and Community Research Laboratory.

At University of Phoenix, Jim was a student, professor and assistant department chair—at the same time. As he completed his master’s degree in marriage and family counseling, he assisted the department chair in coordinating graduate and undergraduate business programs while working as a substance abuse counselor.

“Many merchant marines I sailed with had substance abuse, behavioral and other personal challenges,” says Jim. Helping his crew deal with these tough issues steered him toward substance abuse counseling, marriage and family therapy.

Today, Jim serves those who have served our country. He was recently honored by the Graduate Faculty Committee at Virginia Tech for his research, “Doing the Right Thing—Relational Ethics in Institutional Caregiving for Veterans.” He is motivated to improve the ethics and effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts for active duty military personnel, veterans and their families who face difficult life transitions and health care choices.

Bachelor of Science in Human Services, 2007

Personal challenges, life experiences and a desire to help others inspired alumna Deanna Kloostra to start her own online business, Abused Swan. The organization provides coaching, support and resources to abused, non-custodial mothers in Michigan.

Deanna knows all too well what it’s like to be one of those mothers. She has been embroiled in a custody battle for the past 10 years after separating from an abusive spouse. Her experiences firsthand of the challenges of wading through the court system and the knowledge she gained are what she shares with other women through Abused Swan.

"The mission of this website is it to educate women on how the court system works against them, to promote education for women, their family members, and the public, and to create products and services just for non-custodial mothers,” shares Deanna.

She realized that getting her business off the ground would require an education to provide her the knowledge and the tools to be successful. Plus, it gave her the credibility she needed for her business, shares Deanna. She earned her bachelor’s degree with University of Phoenix and is now a legal domestic abuse specialist.

Deanna is also highly involved in legislative efforts to simplify the custody process and to make it easier for abused and disadvantaged mothers to get assistance and the same fair treatment that abusive fathers receive.

Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy, 2005

Author, counselor and University of Phoenix graduate Kristan Leatherman is passionate about helping parents raise fiscally responsible children. Not only does she facilitate workshops about the topic, but she’s also written two books—Millionaire Babies or Bankrupt Brats and Love and Logic Moneyisms: Wise Words about Raising Money Smart Kids. Kristan cowrote both books with Jim Fay.

The idea for the books arose when Kristan’s clients expressed an interest in understanding how to help their children develop sound money-management habits.

“When parents started asking questions in my workshops and consultations, I was inspired and encouraged by my audiences and clients to provide sensible, practical, everyday advice they could use to teach their children these crucial lessons,” Kristan says.

The books provide realistic examples of parent-child interactions and offer suggestions on how to create open communication, responsibility and understanding about managing money.

Kristan has also started a movement she’s calling ‘The Millionaire Babies Project.’ To get involved, go to her Web site, www.raisingmillionairebabies.com and share a story about money management, or purchase a Millionaire Babies book and donate it to your local library.

Master of Health Administration, 2007

Andrea Lowe is working to rebuild the health care system in Liberia, Africa. She volunteers with Health Education and Relief Through Teaching (HEARTT), a not-for-profit corporation that provides overall health care and health training to underdeveloped communities and countries.

Liberia’s health services were severely disrupted by civil conflict and now have some of the worst health statistics, shares Andrea. “The country has less than fifty physicians for the population of three million and is challenged to find health care workers to provide care for the indigent. HEARTT has successfully sponsored over 10 oversees missions to Liberia in the past 24 months alone,” she adds.

She also works as a chief administrative physician assistant for a Connecticut hospital but travels to Liberia for HEARTT. She’s also working on organizing a women’s health conference for an upcoming trip. She credits her work experience and education to helping her get a promotion at work and be selected as a candidate to work with HEARTT.

Bachelor of Science in Human Services, 2005

When Denise Ransom lost her job as a social worker with Child Protective Services (CPS), she was less concerned about finding another job and more concerned about the parents she used to help. How were they going to visit their children if there was less staff to provide visitation opportunities? Statistics show that families reunify at a greater rate when they can see each other on a regular basis.

Reflecting on why she became a social worker in the first place—to advocate for people who can’t advocate and take care of themselves— Denise explored the idea of starting a community-based family visitation center. With her last paycheck and money from her savings account, she started From My Heart To Your Heart. The California-based non-profit organization provides a spectrum of unique programs designed to model appropriate, safe and healthy parent-child interaction for family visitations. The visitation setting is less stressful and provides an inviting and fun environment in which parents can connect with their children.

The cornerstone of the center’s success is the collaborative effort that came together to make it happen. Denise pitched the idea of operating the organization out of her community church to her pastor, who was so inspired he gave her the keys to the church to use the facility when she needed it. She recruits local college students to volunteer and gain experience working with disenfranchised populations. Denise also works closely with CPS who refers families to the center and in turn meets the families’ visitation needs creating a win-win situation for all.

“It’s about the people that can’t represent themselves and we can be the voice for them. So it’s not about us. It’s connecting with those people that can’t speak for themselves and letting them know that they are worthy, loveable, cherished and valuable, and empowering them, so they can become empowered and empower somebody else,” shares Denise.