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Ready to ApplyPatricia Fox
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Education*, 2011
Master of Arts in Education, Early Childhood Education specialization
“I wanted to provide a sound future for myself and my family.”
“I wanted to provide a sound future for myself and my family,” explains Patricia Fox, 28. “I chose Ashford University because of the flexibility of online classes, the affordable tuition, and because Ashford was a brick and mortar college before offering online classes – plus, the support staff are amazing.”
After graduating from Ashford University magna cum lade in 2011 with her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Education, this wife and mother of four decided to continue her journey at Ashford, and is now earning her Master of Arts in Education, Early Childhood Education specialization from her home in Sturgis, SD. “I’m pursuing the second degree to allow me even more diverse career options,” she explains.
Though Patricia currently maintains a 4.0 GPA, she admits it wasn’t easy when she first began her online program at Ashford. “A major challenge that I faced when I first started was organization. I am currently a stay-at-home mother, and one of my children has autism. So it’s important for me to be able to organize my education and home life, and find a good balance.” She notes that she was quickly able to do so by falling into a natural routine with her studies.
Once she completes her program, Patricia hopes to put her Ashford degrees to work by applying at several local early childhood institutions. “I also plan on starting a college preparatory community course in my area,” she shares. In the meantime, she is building up her writing portfolio. “I have been using the writing skills I acquired at Ashford to write my first published article!” she shares proudly. The article, Managing Mornings, Play-Doh, and Autism, shares activity ideas for children with sensory issues and is found on page 24 of the Winter 2011/2012 issue of Black Hills Simple Life Magazine.
Though Patricia didn’t attend the commencement ceremony last year in Iowa, she is excited to do so when she graduates in spring 2013 with her Master’s degree, hopefully with her family in tow to cheer her on. “I hope to inspire my friends and family with my success at Ashford,” she says. “Most of all, I hope to inspire my four children!” With her excellent grades and a promising career plan ahead, we have no doubt she will continue to do just that.
*This program was replaced with the Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies.