Student Highlights

Each month we highlight students and their experiences at SIU as part of the Non-Traditional Student Services monthly e-newsletter.  If you have an accomplishment or unique story that will inspire other nontraditional students to complete their degree, we would love to hear from you!

This month we take a look back at our previous student highlights and ask, "Where are they now"?.  Here are just a few we caught up with.

If you have a story or accomplishment to share, let us know at nontrad@siu.edu.

Student Highlights: Where Are They Now?

A look back at former student highlights...

Summer (King) Mattina, M.S. in Education, College Student Personnel

Mattina was featured in the February 2012 newsletter and graduated with her master’s degree in May 2012. When we caught up with Mattina, she said, “Since graduating from SIU's College Student Personnel program, I have worked primarily as an academic advisor. I currently serve students in Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology. I am grateful and humbled to work in higher education; I truly believe it is one of life's greater privileges to do work you love. I consider it an added bonus that my work with students challenges me to be a better person on a daily basis.”

She added: “My time at SIU is really what made this possible, and I am appreciative of the faculty, staff and students who contributed to my education. I feel more whole as a person and professional, more engaged as a citizen, and more fully equipped to deal with life's challenges as a result of my time as a student. I learned to make the most of every opportunity and developed the habit of challenging myself to approach each day as a learner. In my undergraduate career, my professors helped me develop my analytic and writing skills in ways that help me do my best work now. In my graduate career, I learned how I can promote equity within higher education, how I can advance social justice as an educator, and how I can best support the students I serve. I also learned how to be a good colleague and a good friend, and to negotiate the differences between the two. Those lessons influence my work every day.

“My commitment to lifelong learning began at SIU. As a nontraditional student, it took me a total of 10 years to earn my undergraduate degree, and another two to complete my graduate degree. I plan to add five more years to that tally, and I am excited to share that I will soon begin pursuing my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Saint Louis University. My educational road has been long, but the journey has been worth it. I can't imagine my life without my educational experiences – and, thanks to my time at SIU, I feel ready for those experiences yet to come.” Congratulations, Summer, as you continue your career and begin pursuing your Ph.D.!

 Ryan McKennedy, B.S. in Social Work

McKennedy was featured in the November 2013 newsletter – and, like then, continues to be involved in serving veterans. When we caught up with McKennedy, he said, “I graduated in May of 2013 and I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work degree through the University of Southern California's Virtual Academic Center. I will be finished in August 2015. I am currently completing my field education at the Marion VA Medical Center. I work in the Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program, and our goal is to assist veterans who have severe mental illness to become more independent. I am still serving in the Army National Guard, and in March 2015 I will have eight years of service. I spend a lot of my time with Team Red, White & Blue Carbondale, attempting to enrich the lives of America's veterans through physical fitness and social activities. After graduation, I hope my full-time career will include working with veterans and service members currently serving.” Congratulations, Ryan, and thank you for your service!

Scott Schackmann, B.S. in Arts, Spanish and Foreign Language and International Trade

Schackmann was featured in the August 2014 newsletter following his study-abroad trip to Argentina. “Since obtaining my two bachelor’s degrees (FLIT & Spanish), I have been very fortunate to have been awarded a graduate teaching assistantship in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and International Trade as a Spanish instructor for Elementary Spanish (SPAN 140a),” he said. “With this position and the fears and excitement of beginning my first semester as a graduate student, I'm extremely optimistic that I will gain the skills necessary to further my chosen career path and eventually earn my Ph.D. to become a Spanish professor.” We spoke to Schackmann after the start of the spring semester and learned that his class is completely full. He loves teaching and thinks he has found his true calling in life.

Congratulations, Scott, we agree!!