April 10, 2024
School for Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS)
Submitted by Christina Tierney '14
Wow – this area has changed so much since I first found out about it as a student years ago! While completing my undergraduate degree, I was hired as a student employee by the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals Program (ADEP at that time) and worked for them for 2.5 years. Shortly after graduating, a position opened, and I was hired as their Administrative Assistant (and eventual Program Specialist). I remember when the Center for Nonprofit Leadership joined us, and when we moved into the Benson House. I moved out of state in early 2019, but kept in contact with my former colleagues turned friends. I came back in February 2020 to celebrate my friends’ accomplishments and the launch of the new School for Professional and Continuing Studies – none of us realizing what was about to happen in the next month and year.
In May 2020, as we were in the thick of the pandemic, I was blessed to have the opportunity to come back to Cal Lutheran virtually as the part-time Program Specialist for the newly created Fifty and Better Program as part of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies. This could not have come at a better time for me, and I am so lucky to be working with such amazing colleagues again and new colleagues, students and contacts as we are getting the word out about Fifty and Better.
This is an amazing program that we need to get the word out about. To provide such an amazing opportunity to folks 50 and over has been so rewarding, and I’m thankful to be part of this growing program.