Spouses Who Make the Grade

Meet 4 spouses who made their education a reality.

by Cachet Prescott


We understand, as military spouses, you often have to continue your education after a PCS, while trying to find daycare for your kids, while your spouse is deployed (and, don’t forget to sleep!)

And so sometimes going back to school can seem like a far-off reality.

That’s why we’re inspired by these spouses who seem to do it all – and get a degree.

And don’t forget to check out www.militaryfriendlyschools.com to find the program that’s right for you.

Name: Michelle Abbott
Degree: Obtained BS in Management/Marketing
School: Park University
Web site: www.park.edu
Current Location: Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Spouse: Air Force
Married: 5 years
How she did it: Initially, Abbott started off with a career in real estate. After becoming disenchanted with the field and not wanting to rebuild her clientele with each PCS, she re-evaluated her career aspirations and returned to school. “By taking some ‘me’ time away from the workforce for two and half years, I took the time to figure out how to be as successful as my husband is in his military career,” Abbott said. Now finished with a bachelor degree from Park University, Abbott is in the process of applying to graduate programs in hopes of pursuing a career as a contract specialist in the future.

Name: Randolph Pridgen Jr.
Degree: Completed BS in Public Administration; Pursuing MBA
School: Upper Iowa University
Web site: www.iui.edu
Current Location: New Market, Md.
Spouse: Army
Married: 3 years
How he did it: Pridgen first learned about Upper Iowa University when he needed a foreign language credit and was so impressed with the school’s personal touch, he formally enrolled years later. Despite common perceptions, Pridgen thinks UIU’s online courses provide more personal interaction. “I’ve been in a traditional classroom, too, and there’s usually one or two people that speak up and everyone else sits back and listens. Online you have to participate, everybody has to provide something to the class. We post comments in Outlook Express and get debates going. To me, I learn more that way, because I get different perspectives from all parts of the world.”

Name: Jodi Harris
Degree: Pursuing Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate Program
School: Drexel University
Web site: www.drexel.edu
Current Location: Yokosuka, Japan
Spouse: Navy
Married: 14 years
How she did it: Working as a part-time English teacher in a school in Japan, Harris was introduced to online learning. “Studying online meant that a whole range of course offerings, which weren’t otherwise available in our remote location, became possible for me to take.” Harris is now working toward professional certification in elementary education through Drexel University’s Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate Program. “My academic advisor at Drexel began working with me before I even applied for the program, reviewing my transcripts and advising me on pre-requisites I needed to fill, and has continued to provide advice and support throughout,” Harris said. “It’s like having a State-side partner to help me navigate the system, and to monitor my progress.”

Name: Amanda Sabin
Degree: Pursuing BS in Management
School: University of Mary
Web site: www.umary.edu
Current Location: Bismark, N.D.
Spouse: National Guard
Married: 6 years
How she did it: Sabin chose the University of Mary because she could take a mix of classes online and in a physical classroom. Even though it has been hard to find childcare for her 3-year-old during night classes, she said going to school while your spouse is deployed can “take your mind off a lot of other things you might worry about.” By the time her husband returns home, Sabin will have almost completed her degree. “It made the time go by a lot faster,” Sabin said. “Plus going to school now doesn’t take time away from being a couple when he comes home.”