Jeff Dickinson

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Jeff Dickinson

Jeff Dickinson
Master of Arts in Organizational Management, 2010
Health and Safety Specialist for LyondellBasell

“Now that I’ve graduated, I am more focused on the important things in life and on taking charge of the things that are within my direct control.”  

Jeff Dickinson, 45, is native to Iowa, and currently lives in Clinton with his wife and three daughters (ages 9, 15, 16). A veteran of the United States Navy, Jeff works as a Health and Safety Specialist for LyondellBasell. He earned his BA from Iowa State University, but determined that a Master’s degree was necessary for him to continue to advance at his company. “In my opinion, a Bachelor’s degree today is equivalent to a high school education 30 years ago as far as providing job placement opportunities. A Master’s degree adds to the potential opportunity for advancing within an organization, or to finding new employment.”

With the encouragement of his boss, and the added bonus of tuition reimbursement, Jeff enrolled in Ashford University’s former adult accelerated program to pursue his Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Like many working parents, Jeff reports that one of his greatest challenges was finding time for coursework without neglecting his work or his family. After a few classes, though, Jeff found the workload perfectly manageable. “Once I got into the program, it was not as labor or time intensive as I had originally anticipated.”

Patricia Niemann, Jeff’s Admissions Advisor, noticed Jeff’s attentiveness to his family and his commitment to earning his degree. “Jeff has had the desire to obtain a Master’s degree for years. He is a devoted husband and father who put his family first, but with the help of Lyondell’s tuition assistance and the support of his family, he has three weeks and his degree will be completed.”

In August 2010, Jeff completed his Master’s degree. “Now that I’ve graduated, I am more focused on the important things in life and on taking charge of the things that are within my direct control.”

To students considering Ashford, Jeff advises, “You will get out what you put in to the classes. The staff is more than willing to assist students because they want to see positive results and student success.” Jeff is certainly an example of that student success. In addition to advancing his career at LyondellBasell, Jeff plans to become a Certified Safety Professional.
Jeff Dickinson