Human Resource Development Program Allows Woman to Achieve Goal
April, 2009
Danita Keith is breaking new ground.
The Oklahoma native will be the first person in her family to graduate from college later this year. She will walk in the University of Arkansas commencement ceremonies on May 9 and finish her coursework this summer for a bachelor's degree in human resource development.
After moving to Arkansas in 2003 for her husband's work with Wal-Mart, Danita was working at the university's Cossatot Community College campus near her home in Nashville. She heard from co-workers about the human resource development bachelor's degree completion program in the College of Education and Health Professions at the university's Fayetteville campus.
"Several co-workers either had already been in the program or were going to start," Danita recalled. "They said how wonderful it was and that I should jump on it.
"My husband and I got married nine days after we graduated from high school," she continued. "My father died shortly after that and I also became pregnant. I left college and it took 10 years to get back."
Danita completed an associate's degree at Cossatot and entered the HRD program in spring of 2007. The bachelor's degree-completion program in human resource development is designed for working adults who have completed the general requirements for a degree. They work in cohorts over two years, taking online classes. The program opens doors to opportunity and personal growth, said Phil Gerke, coordinator of the undergraduate HRD student center.
The online format of the program suited Danita's life well.
"Being able to be home with my children and get online was so much easier for me than driving to a classroom," she said. "My family has been very supportive. My husband dropped out of college with just nine hours to go before he got a degree. He told me many times, 'You do what you want to do.'
"The kids thinks it's neat but also really odd that Mama's 38 and still in school."
Danita plans to pursue a master's degree now.
"I haven't closed any doors," she said. "There are so many opportunities out there after getting a degree. I could go in so many directions. I'm leaving myself open for whatever's out there.
"I think this program is amazing. I have enjoyed every part of it."
Danita has five siblings, and she's the first to have a college degree. Some members of her extended family didn't appreciate the significance, but Danita, husband Thad and children Chris, 18, Amanda, 16, and Michael, 13, couldn't be more proud.
"This program has allowed me to make a difference for myself," Danita said.
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Contact:
Heidi Stambuck, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
479-575-3138, stambuck@uark.edu