At the start of my career in higher education, I actually started in the classroom.

And so I understand what that looks like- - What do you teach?

- You know, the classroom- I taught public speaking, interpersonal communication, as well as small group communication.

And so being in that position, you know, providing knowledge and then also being subject to hearing our students and what they think as part of the learning process, you know, I really value what happens in the classroom.

Our faculty get up every day wanting to make sure that they are providing that wisdom, that knowledge for our students to take in and to go off and do great things.

So I understand the baseline of that and what that means as to what takes place in the classroom.

And with our adult learners, you know, the UNC system office has an emphasis on adult learners as an initiative.

We wanna see an increase in adult learners.

And so to have our non-traditional age students come back to the classroom has been absolutely amazing to see them, to see them earn that degree.

'Cause many of them didn't have that opportunity when they graduated from high school.

And I think about my parents, my parents both did not have that opportunity immediately after high school.

You know, they were focused on raising my sister and myself and they went back to college later in life, actually, after 60 years old.

And so my mom is enrolled now at Elizabeth City State University, working on her undergraduate degree.

So the Adult Learner Initiative is something that I'm really, really, you know, pushing, and I wanna see an increase, and provide flexibility for those who want to earn their degree now 'cause it's never too late.