Kyla Johnson-Curtis Earned Her Degree After Retiring From the Military

Kyla Johnson-Curtis '25 didn't let retirement slow her down.

After serving more than two decades in the U.S. Army working in logistics, the Tennessee native decided to earn her bachelor's in operations management with a concentration in logistics and transportation at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Fresh out of the military and still mulling over her next chapter, Johnson-Curtis needed a program she could complete on her own time and on her own terms. “I was kind of trying to figure out if I wanted to go back into the workforce, (or) just stay home and take a break from doing 22 years in the Army,” she said. “(SNHU) just gave me the ability to get my degree without any hassle.”

She chose her course of study to complement her on-the-job knowledge, and because she knew she would enjoy it. “Logistics is near and dear to me because I did it for 22 years,” said Johnson-Curtis. “Knowing both sides of the coin — whether it's doing it for the military or in the civilian world — it was very beneficial to learn a wide range of courses in the business operations management field.”

She said she also appreciated how SNHU approached its military students. “I definitely feel like SNHU understood the needs of military service members," she said. “It affords us the opportunity to earn our degree, whether we’re here in the United States or overseas, abroad, at war.”

What's Next

Now, Johnson-Curtis is ready to put her business knowledge to work in a new direction. She said she plans to open her own hair care products business, focused on providing natural, healthy options for Black women.

Looking back, she said earning her degree changed her. “I would say what has changed about me from the start to the finish is my confidence in knowing that I can do anything and knowing that I have a wide range of people that stand beside me, in front of me and behind me,” she said.

For Johnson-Curtis, the journey was worth it. “I didn't have the confidence that I have now,” she said. “And I finished. I did it.”

Rebecca Cahill '26 is a content marketing assistant and writer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). She completed her bachelor’s in creative writing and English at SNHU and is now pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Based in Ohio, she has also written for FreshWater Cleveland and The Land and serves on the board of Literary Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you'll most likely find her nose in a book, dogs at her side, surrounded by way too many houseplants. Connect with her on LinkedIn.