Academia rubs off as employees take classes for degrees, enrichment
Karen D. Haywood didn't think she had what it took to go to college--financially or academically--so she went to work directly from high school.
But she proved herself wrong at Commencement May 12, when she received her bachelor's degree in history from Carolina nearly 30 years after finishing high school.
The director of records and registration for the law school began her quest for a degree in 1972, when she enrolled in an environmental pollution course at Duke University, where she worked. Haywood "did all right," in her words, and continued to take courses.
In 1975, she enrolled through Carolina's Evening College in a European history course, and her passion for history began.
"Working in academia, I saw people with advanced degrees all the time," Haywood said. "It was obvious the difference education made, and I wanted to be part of it."
Eleven years ago, Haywood was appointed to her current job at Carolina, where she was able to take advantage of the tuition-waiver program for employees, and she steadily pursued her degree one course at a time.
The tuition-waiver program allows permanent employees who work at least 30 hours a week to take one course per semester at any UNC system campus free of charge once they have been admitted to the school.
Last summer, Haywood enrolled in a course that gave her the chance to visit Greece. This semester, she won the Department of Classics' Preston H. and Miriam L. Epps Memorial Scholarship, given to the student showing "the greatest interest and promise in coming to understand the Greek language, literature, history and outlook."
Receiving a classical education is important, Haywood said, and it doesn't end with earning a degree.
"I decided that I wanted to work in academia and believe that those who do such work should educate themselves forever," she said.
Haywood isn't the only University employee completing a degree this year.
Monica T. Leach received her master's degree in adult and community college education from N.C. State University this month.
The recruiter/assistant information-communications specialist for the N.C. Health Careers Access Program began taking one or two evening classes per semester four years ago and in 1993 was admitted to her program.
This fall, she plans to begin a doctoral program in higher education administration, also at N.C. State University, with an ultimate goal of becoming a dean of student affairs. All the while, she will continue working to help students in the Division of Health Affairs program.
"I love working with students and don't want to stray too far from that," Leach said. "The students are the most important component of any educational institution, and I try to keep their concerns at heart. I believe if you can affect one student, it has a direct impact on others as well."
Like Haywood, Leach uses the University's tuition-waiver program to defray some of the cost of her studies.
Katrina B. Coble, administrative manager for the Computer Science Department, pursued her degree from Alamance Community College for another reason. She felt it was something she owed her department and herself.
The 14-year University employee had worked in several jobs across campus, including a previous stint in computer science. When she moved into her present job three years ago, Coble said she decided it was time to complete her degree.
She has been taking evening courses at the community college since 1981 and this August will be awarded her associate's degree in business administration.
"I wanted to prove to the people who hired me that I could do even more than they thought I could," she said. "And I have applied immediately everything I learned in the classroom."
Coble also was able to apply her participation in the 1994 University Management Development Program to receive credit by examination for a business management class at the community college.
She attributes her perseverance to the University's educational assistance program, which provides $350 per year for any permanent full- or part-time employee, both SPA and 12-month EPA, to pursue courses at area universities, colleges or technical institutes.
"My course tuition was completely paid," she said. "All I had to pay for was books. The educational assistance program was the catalyst I needed, and I can't say enough to encourage other employees to take advantage of it."
Ken Manwaring, director of training and development, said nearly 200 employees--many more than in previous years--have taken advantage of the educational reimbursement program this year. Program funds are under the sponsorship of the Employee Forum, he said.
The tuition-waiver program helped 305 employees take courses last fall, with an additional 288 this spring.
Meredith A. Arnold, Geology Library technical assistant, also took advantage of University assistance through the tuition-waiver program when she completed her master's degree in Russian literature here this spring.
"It's a wonderful program and great benefit for state employees," she said. "Because of the tuition-waiver program, I am more likely to continue taking courses each semester."
Although Arnold has been a full-time University employee only a year, she began teaching as a graduate assistant in the Department of Slavic Languages in 1992. She landed an assistantship in the Geology Library and found a job she loved.
"I really want to teach," she said. "I'm not using my Russian background now, but I view what I do in the library as teaching, since I'm able to help the library patrons with their research."
Arnold may pursue a doctorate, she said, but for now she is content where she is.
Other employees began their quest for higher education for other reasons.
For instance, Carol Worrell, administrative assistant in the UNC Neuroscience Center, began taking courses out of boredom. Quickly, she said she realized how much she needed the challenge.
"Then, obtaining a degree became an obsession," the 19-year University employee said.
With an associate's degree in businesss administration from Central Carolina Community College under her belt, Worrell said she likely will continue taking business and accounting courses.
"The human resources part of my coursework has given me insight into supervision," she said. "And whether I take more business courses or some for pleasure, I believe if you quit learning you become stale."
Another University employee who sees a direct benefit from her human resources courses is Kathleen L. Brooks, HR facilitator for the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. In August, she will receive her associate's degree in business administration with an emphasis on human resources from Alamance Community College.
Brooks began taking evening classes five years ago when she started work with the Department of Psychology and continued through her move to the Lineberger Center two years ago.
"It was a great personal achievement, considering I had been out of high school for 15 years," she said.
It's also a great achievement considering Brooks finished her coursework in February, just before her baby was born.
"The timing was a little tight, but everything worked out fine," she said.
Other employees, like William "J.R." Key, have taken a different route in completing their degrees.
The outreach coordinator for the Computer Science Department attended school here full time. But during his senior year eight years ago, he dropped out to work full time at PlayMakers Repertory Company, where he stayed until 1994.
"All along, I realized how important it was to finish my degree, especially since I was so close," he said.
He quit work in 1994 and returned to school full time as a communication studies major. This year, with a bachelor's degree under his belt, he worked with Tar Heel Temps, then landed his current job two months ago.
"When you quit school, then go back, your perspective is different," Key said. "You are more focused and attentive to your coursework. In many ways it means more."
With a fresh outlook on learning and a job he enjoys, Key said his goal is to continue working while he takes one course a semester toward a master's degree in communication studies.
These are a few of the University employees who have combined work with their pursuit of higher education.
Others who want to explore ways the University offers financial assistance for coursework can receive information from Training and Development, 2-2550.
Karen Haywood proudly displays her Carolina diploma, which she received May 12.
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