CNL Student Spotlight: Kris Parmentier
Liberal Studies, anticipated graduation May 2008
Kris Parmentier’s decision to go back to school was something she wanted to do for herself.
Kris began her collegiate career in the early 1970s, attending college for a year before leaving school to raise a family with her husband. She always planned to go back to school when her husband finished his degree. But, life happens. Soon, the couple was busy raising three boys and Kris had a position working in the local Social Security Administration office.
"I was so happy that CNL let me see that I wasn’t alone in this."
When she began to witness her children’s success in post-secondary academics and extracurricular activities, her wheels began turning.
“When I’d go to their graduations, I’d envision what it would be like to be that person walking across the stage,” Kris remembers. “I’d wish I had done that. I decided to apply out of nowhere really, but didn’t tell my family until I was accepted! Then, once I told them, they were so supportive of me. It was amazing.”
Kris began her adult learning career at UW Fox Valley, taking a history course with her youngest son. The two helped each other through the class and both left the semester with an ‘A.’
“It was so solidifying and fun to take a class with my son,” recalled Kris. “He helped me over the hump and made me realize I could do it!”
After a semester at UW Fox Valley, Kris transferred to UW Oshkosh to complete a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in history – one of Kris’s passions. Set to graduate in May 2008, she has taken a mixture of on-campus, online and (her favorite) hybrid courses, which fit well into her busy schedule.
“I really liked the fact that CNL offered 7-week classes too, because it allows nontraditional students to work while going to school. Plus, it gave way to being able to take more classes; sometimes, I would be able to take 12 credits at once,” said Kris. “It may have been a lot of work at the time, but I was able to reach my goal more quickly.”
"Go for it! Break your long-term goal into short-term pieces to make it easier."
Kris also attributed much of her success to the general feeling and culture of Center for New Learning Classes. Though she thought she might stand out from other students and be unable to form common bonds, she found friends through the Center for New Learning.
“I was able to forge friendships because of how often classes met and many of the same people were in multiple classes. I was so happy that CNL let me see that I wasn’t alone in this.”
Kris enjoyed how the Center for New Learning went outside the local pool of instructors to find the perfect teacher for the course, as well as for the students.
“I had professors from UW Fox Valley, some from Ripon and even some from Milwaukee. It really helped in finding the best fit for adult learning styles,” Kris said. “I also was given a lot of support from the entire CNL community of advisors and instructors.”
She gives them the majority of the credit for her success due to the unbridled support they provided her and other students.
Recently, Kris was promoted from supervisor to district manager within the Social Security Administration, where she has worked for nearly 35 years.
“My manager encouraged me to apply for the promotion, and I know I wouldn’t have had the confidence in myself to do so without going back to school,” said Kris.
She also credits the critical thinking skills she has gained through her studies, which help her to reflect on things that happen at work and enhance her ability to analyze situations and make smart decisions.
In just four years, Kris has realized her dream. She knows others can, too.
“Go for it! Break your long-term goal into short-term pieces to make it easier. Find success in the little accomplishments and before you know it you will have achieved your big goal. Although the big success of graduation comes at the end, appreciate the journey because that’s what it’s all about. This experience has really opened up my desire to learn and I’m going to continue taking courses to enrich my life.”
Congratulations on your success, Kris, and good luck in the future!
Get Your Degree!
We have all the resources you need to jumpstart your education and reach the goals once thought unachievable. Get started today.