Jennifer Keaton
Customer Service Representative
State of Ohio
Business Administration Student

When I finished high school and headed off to a big university, I was filled with excitement about my college career. I was not too far along when I found myself taking on a new role: that of a single parent. My beautiful daughter, Jaleah, was born and my life changed completely.

I realized quickly that raising a child meant I needed to find a different way to go to college, but my dedication to getting my degree never slowed down – it just took a new route. I enrolled at a community college because it allowed me to take classes that fit around my work and parenting. But even though it was a good starting point, I wanted to move beyond an associate’s degree and get my bachelor’s degree. I also wanted to take all of my classes online, not just some of them.

Then I heard about Franklin’s bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed entirely online. I already knew Franklin was geared toward working adults, but to be able to take all my classes at night from my living room? It was almost too good to be true! So I transferred into Franklin’s Business Administration program. I was really happy with how my Student Services Associate helped make the transition to Franklin so easy – and that such a large number of my college credits transferred from both of my previous schools.

Best of all, I don’t feel for one minute that I’m settling for a “less than” education because I’m taking my classes online. My coursework is the same as what on-campus students take; I just get my class discussion online instead of in person. We use email, chat rooms and phone calls for group projects and to get individual answers to questions. In fact, I think I receive even more personal attention from my online instructors than I did in my previous college experiences because email is so fast.

Franklin makes it possible for me to do it all. I’m working full time as a Customer Service Representative for the State of Ohio, raising my growing daughter, I recently got married and I’m getting a great education. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s possible. It gives me a lot of satisfaction knowing that I am able to set an example for Jaleah. She even sits with me at the computer when I study and says, “You do your homework now, Mommy!”

Yes, I’m leading a life that’s different than what I had planned. But it’s a life that’s filled with blessings. By juggling the roles of mother, wife, student and employee, I'm learning that I'm capable of doing more and being more than I would have ever thought possible.

If I can do it, so can you!