Professional Programs Student Success Stories

Samantha Leger, BA ’22 (Cohort 38)

Marketing Coordinator, OMISTA Credit Union

My journey to earn my BA started when I was 19 years old. I tried university but ultimately I needed some time to reflect on what I wanted to do. I eventually found myself at NBCC, completing a diploma in Business Administration. After working for a few years, I realized that I wanted to finish what I started and complete my BA, but I was not ready to give up my career to go back to school. Then, I found out about Crandall’s Degree Completion program and realized I did not need to give up anything!

This program gave me the flexibility to continue advancing my career while allowing me to finally complete my degree. After my first year of the program, I had my wonderful daughter and decided to take a break to spend quality time with my family. Once I was ready to start again, Crandall was there to welcome me back with open arms, making the transition back to school as seamless as possible.

Now that I have completed my degree, I plan on continuing my education by completing a master’s program. I can see a future for myself that I never thought possible, and none of it would have been achievable without Crandall.

Laura O’Rourke, Saturday BEd ’24

Children’s Minister, Saint Benedict Church, Halifax

When I entered university straight out of high school, my plan was to get my bachelor’s degree followed by an education degree. However, upon graduating from university, I discovered the reality: going back to school is expensive and with the costs of life it seemed purely unrealistic.

After my third maternity leave, I found myself in the job of my dreams. Soon after, I learned about the Saturdayonly BEd option at Crandall University and it ignited something in me that I thought I had buried long ago. The choice to apply and proceed on this journey has required courage, but it has been wonderful thus far.

So much of this experience has surpassed my expectations. I was astonished at how quickly my classmates and I were able to connect with each other, even as we started the program online. Our cohort has an excellent rapport and I have already formed friendships, which is not as easy as it sounds when you are an adult. For the most part, our professors have understood that everyone is a full-time employee and have been kind and empathetic, clearly desiring our success in all parts of our lives.

Personally, I love being back in a learning environment. Transitioning into being a student again was smoother than expected, thanks, in part, to a program which has been thoughtfully curated to adapt to the needs of working professionals. Thank you Crandall University for making it possible!

Stephanie Gillespie, MOrgM ’22 (Honours Society Award)

Neonatal ICU Nurse, Horizon Health Network

I had worked for nearly twenty years as a perioperative nurse and my work life was for the most part smooth and steady. Then on March 13, 2020, an administrative assistant and myself were asked to initiate a COVID assessment center for the Greater Moncton area. I knew I needed to lead this new clinic so that the staff felt safe while they protected our community from this new and ugly virus.

As time passed and I took on more and more leadership opportunities, I realized I had a passion to lead but that I needed more skills in order to do so more effectively. I spent a lot of time researching schools and programs. As a wife, mother, and nurse, I needed a program that would be realistic to pursue with my time constraints. I will never forget driving home one day and seeing a billboard that advertised the MOrgM as a part-time program “for working professionals”. Before I knew it the first day of class came. I was instantly made to feel comfortable by the professors and fellow working professionals. This program not only helped me professionally but also in my personal life.

Winning the Honours Society Award is icing on the cake, but this award is not completely mine for the taking. I owe so much to my selfless husband who encouraged and believed in me, our two beautiful boys who supported me, my mother who reminded me there is no room for negative self-talk, and my friend and MOrgM classmate Lynn Casey (RN) who encouraged me and made me laugh when I needed it. Every professor within this degree had ALWAYS made themselves available and was supportive every step of the way. Thank you Crandall for all that you offer!