Selecting A&M-Commerce after a 20-year hiatus was a no-brainer for me. As an adult working full-time with previous college credit, the competency-based program suits my life perfectly.
Kardelia Smith
- Student
Born in Louisiana and raised in Dallas, Texas, Kardelia Smith decided to complete her degree following a 20-year hiatus since last attending college. As a working adult with previous college credit, she decided the competency-based programs in the College of Innovation and Design at A&M-Commerce were the best fit for her busy schedule. Since all her classes and interactions are online, she was able to pick up where she left off and is excited to graduate in 2022!
A Conversation with Kardelia
Why did you choose to attend A&M-Commerce?
Selecting A&M-Commerce after a 20-year hiatus was a no-brainer for me. As an adult working full-time with previous college credit, the competency-based program suits my life perfectly. I have heard rave reviews about the campus, staff and instructors at A&M-Commerce, so I decided to further my education with pride as a Lion!
Which degree program are you pursuing?
I am pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Health Services Administration.
What are your goals and how does your degree program fit into your goals?
My current goal is to graduate from A&M-Commerce in 2022 and continue my higher education experience by enrolling in the educational administration master’s degree program. I am currently employed at Dallas ISD and the need for teachers has weighed on my heart. My desire is to complete my master’s degree and enter the classroom to become an ELAR and AVID teacher.
What is a project you have worked on recently?
The most impactful project I have worked on is an interview I conducted for Culture, Inequalities and Social Justice in Healthcare. I interviewed a student from the Philippines. The racial and health inequalities she endured were disheartening.