Three Owls share how they overcame challenges, embraced new opportunities and pursued their college degrees on their own timelines.

The path to earning a college degree isn’t always a straight one.

While many students enroll in college shortly after high school, others begin or resume their education at different stages of life, often balancing coursework with careers, family responsibilities and other commitments.

At Temple University, three members of the university community, two alumni and one current student, have taken different paths toward achieving their educational goals. Their experiences highlight the challenges, determination and accomplishments that can shape the journeys of nontraditional students.

Their stories underscore that success isn’t defined by when the journey begins, but by the determination to see it through.

Temple offers academic pathways designed to support adult learners, including its bachelor of general studies program, offered through Temple’s University College. The flexible degree completion program allows students to build on previously earned college credits, customize their studies, and pursue their degrees online or on campus.

“Everyone’s educational journey looks different, and sometimes life takes us in directions we never expected,” said Vicki Lewis McGarvey, vice provost for University College and director of Temple Ambler. “What’s important is that students have the opportunity to pursue their goals, regardless of when or where they started. That’s why creating accessible pathways to higher education matters.”

From uncertainty to opportunity: Finding his path at Temple

For Ramond Nelson, CLA ’21, EDU ’26, college wasn’t always part of the plan.

A Pittsburgh native and first-generation college student who experienced the child welfare system, Nelson once questioned whether higher education was within reach. After high school, he spent nearly six years at the Community College of Allegheny County while working full time.

His outlook changed in 2018 through FosterClub, a national organization advocating for young people with foster care experience. Connecting with peers attending four-year universities inspired him to pursue a similar path.

In 2019, Nelson transferred to Temple’s College of Liberal Arts as a political science major, bringing 72 accepted credits.

The transition wasn’t easy. New to Philadelphia, he struggled to find belonging while balancing overnight shifts and remote learning during the pandemic. In his final semester, he lost a parent and faced personal hardships. With support from friends, fraternity brothers and a former Temple professor who helped him obtain scholarship assistance, Nelson graduated in December 2021.

Temple also opened professional doors for Nelson. Following graduation, he secured a full-time position at the university helping others access resources and opportunities, which made pursuing his master’s degree possible without additional debt.

His advocacy extended beyond campus. In June 2025, he testified before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Work and Welfare about the lack of accessible resources and support for young people transitioning out of foster care.

In 2026, Nelson reached another milestone, earning his MEd from Temple’s College of Education and Human Development, becoming a two-time Temple graduate.

Reflecting on his journey to earning two Temple degrees, Nelson hopes his story inspires others to pursue their educational goals, regardless of when they begin—a testament to the university's motto, Perseverance Conquers.

“Don’t compare yourself to others,” Nelson said. “Redefine the odds, it’s never too late, be patient with yourself and give yourself grace while inching your way toward your goal.”

A long-awaited dream becomes reality

For Lindsay Slusser, 45, TYL ’27, the decision to pursue her college degree came after watching her son achieve a milestone of his own.

“When my son graduated from college, it was very significant because it was like, OK, cool, you’re good, so it’s my turn now,” Slusser said.

Growing up, Slusser dreamed of attending Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture. But after becoming a mother, her priorities shifted toward raising her son and building a career.

Years later, she enrolled at Bucks County Community College to determine whether she could balance higher education with a full-time job and household responsibilities. After a year, she transferred to Temple to pursue a degree in landscape architecture.

The transition came with challenges. Balancing a 40-hour work week, demanding studio courses, and commuting between Temple’s Main and Ambler campuses left little time for anything else.

However, receiving a Smith Scholarship allowed Slusser to reduce her work hours and focus more on her education. She also began working as a student gardener at the Ambler Arboretum, gaining hands-on experience in her field.

Slusser also helped design and build Temple’s exhibit for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show. Drawing on her academic experiences, volunteer work and future aspirations, and with guidance from Temple’s fellowship advising team, Slusser successfully applied for the Udall Scholarship.  

In 2026, Slusser was named one of 65 Udall Scholars nationwide, a prestigious honor awarded to undergraduate students committed to environmental leadership and public service.

For Slusser, the honor carried a deeper meaning. 

“I feel seen at Temple,” she said. “That made me feel seen, and again, it just reinforced that I'm on the right path.”

Now preparing to graduate in May 2027, Slusser hopes her journey encourages others to pursue their educational goals, regardless of age or circumstances.

“It’s never too late,” she said. “You’re going to have to make some changes, and you’re going to have to stick with it and it's not always easy.”

A new beginning at 55

For more than three decades, Vincent Davis, CPH ’17, built a career in behavioral health. But when his position as a clinical research coordinator at the Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment was eliminated in 2014, he faced an unexpected decision about his future. 

Determined to build on his professional experience, Davis explored opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. However, he soon learned that pursuing that career path would require something he had put off for nearly two decades: earning a bachelor’s degree.

That fall, at 55, Davis enrolled at Temple University as a full-time public health student, bringing with him an associate degree earned in 1996 and years of professional experience.

His journey was not without challenges. Legally blind, Davis had to navigate the demands of college coursework while adjusting to technology that had transformed higher education since he last attended school. Financial difficulties also emerged when his wife was downsized from her management position during his studies.

“My faith in God, my family and the support I received at Temple helped me keep going, even when things weren’t easy,” Davis said.

Among those resources was Temple’s Disability Resources and Services Office, which helped him secure academic accommodations and eventually connected him with an internship opportunity.

“They’re the reason I’m here,” Davis said of the office.

In 2017, Davis graduated from Temple’s College of Public Health with a bachelor of science degree, celebrating the milestone alongside his family, including his daughter, a fellow Temple graduate.

Today, Davis works as a contract specialist with the U.S. Department of Defense, where he has built a successful second career.

Looking back, he hopes his experience encourages others who may question whether they are too old to return to school.

“Trust in God, follow your desires and never give up on your dreams, until you achieve your goals,” Davis said.