Student Portal 
Ready to ApplyCassandra Runnels
“Ashford University has allowed me to work, care for my family, and finish my goal.”
Cassandra Runnels, 52, had an Associate’s degree and always knew that she wanted to continue her college education – but between raising a family of four and combating severe health problems, she wasn’t sure this goal would be possible. A resident of Fallon, Nevada, and an employee for a military organization, Cassandra had enrolled in school to pursue her Bachelor’s degree several times, but experienced overwhelming setbacks time and time again.
Things changed when she got in touch with Admissions Counselor Kori Aloha, who “focused on the positive benefits of Ashford University and made me believe that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel.” Additionally, Cassandra had promised her uncle, a father figure in her life now and now in his 90s, that he would see her graduate from college.
Cassandra was in remission from cancer when she first spoke to Kori, but it soon began to repeatedly return – and then, unbelievably, her own daughter was diagnosed with the disease. Though many in her position would have given up the idea of graduating from school, Cassandra didn’t stop moving forward with achieving her goal.
Cassandra owes much of this perseverance to the encouragement of her uncle. “He reminded me that I had to care for myself before I could care for others. He said that part of caring for myself meant finishing school, and he was right.” Today, Cassandra is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management at Ashford, which is providing her with a comfortable balance between work, family, and school, despite ongoing health issues.
“I have learned so much about people, and have mastered the skills within my degree. The learning materials and process are so comfortable, and I find the discussions serve as a way to gain perspective of other’s points of view.” Cassandra also believes that many key aspects that she learned at Ashford have been beneficial to her work. “Networking ideas and concepts with the weekly assignments have helped me improve my skills as a director.”
With the help of Ashford and support of her family, Cassandra is overcoming the roadblocks that previously deterred her from getting an education. She is back on track at Ashford University, and has a promising future ahead – and no one will be prouder than her uncle on the day she graduates!