When It Came to Earning Her Degree, Nothing Could Stop Jennifer Strunk

Picture this: Being away from school for over 20 years, then deciding, “I’m going to do this.”

That’s exactly what Jennifer Strunk '23 did.

Earning her degree was a long-held goal, but as a wife, business owner and busy mom of four children, that goal didn’t always feel in reach. That is, until she found the online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Resource Management program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Earning an HR Degree Online

For Strunk, the program’s predictable Thursday and Sunday assignment deadlines were a huge part of what made going back to school feel achievable.

“Knowing what was expected from me was very nice,” she said. “I could get a jumpstart if I knew my week was going to be chaotic.”

Between dropping the kids off at school and picking them up in the afternoon, Strunk studied diligently. Sometimes, she described the hours she’d complete her schoolwork as “random,” emphasizing that she appreciated the ability to get assignments done on a schedule that worked for her.

Using the Writing Center

Strunk was also transparent about the fact that returning to a virtual classroom after two decades away didn’t come without its challenges.

“Writing was very difficult,” she said. “I hadn’t written a paper in a long time.”

Strunk said that SNHU's Online Writing Center was a resource that had a hugely positive impact on her experience. She received helpful feedback on citations, run-on sentences and lots more — often in a much shorter timeframe than she anticipated.

“They say 24 hours, but let’s be real; sometimes I got my paper back in minutes," she said. “I couldn’t have done it without the resources and support that were given to me. They never let me down."

Feeling Supported as a Student

Strunk was also floored by the support she received from instructors and her academic advisor, Michelle, who she described as an “angel.” After a significant health scare during one of her courses, Strunk needed understanding and guidance about her path forward.

Hospitalized for two months, her instructors responded with a determination to help her stay the course, offering extensions and kindness. Her advisor checked in on her consistently as she made her way through recovery. And her husband?

“He made me a makeshift desk with my laptop, my papers, my pens — everything that I could possibly imagine,” she said.

Strunk’s journey culminated in the celebration of commencement in Manchester, New Hampshire. She and her loved ones made the 15-hour drive from their home in Knoxville, Tennessee, to revel in this hard-won milestone, and Strunk said the feeling was unforgettable. The best part, she emphasized, was having the opportunity to meet her advisor — someone who’d meant so much to her throughout her journey.

“She was my go-to person. She was everything for me,” Strunk said. “When I got to see her in person, I just cried.”

Strunk said she’s optimistic about where she’s going next, and that returning to finish what she started was a choice she’d make over again.

“There are a lot of long nights. But at the end of the day, I feel so accomplished and so grateful,” she said.

Abigail (Abby) Syversen-Mark ’23G is a copywriter, contributing content writer and adjunct faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). A passionate storyteller, Abby hopes her writing will help prospective students and employees alike see just how transformative SNHU could be for them (as it’s been pretty transformative for her). You can connect with her on LinkedIn.