SNHU Spotlight: Katlyn Genovese, BS in Criminal Justice Grad

At the age of 29, Katlyn Genovese’s ‘23 life was completely derailed.

In 2018, while attending mortuary school, she had a stroke which affected her both mentally and physically. No longer able to continue her chosen course of study, she had to reevaluate her educational journey. But Genovese said she had received a second chance at life — and she didn’t want to waste it.

Though she had to relearn how to walk, write and type, Genovese said she felt she had to continue her educational pursuits.

“I’ve always wanted a bachelor’s, so I was determined to get it,” she said.

And she achieved that goal by earning an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Genovese said SNHU’s online format was what she had been searching for. “Being (at SNHU) was better for me because I could concentrate more,” she said. “I could do it at my own pace, which was awesome, because my pace was slower than normal.”

It was not an easy journey, though. Genovese faced many obstacles, which she said intensely affected her studies.

“My brain just doesn’t function like a normal brain,” she said. “So writing was difficult for me... because I start to say something or write something and I think I’m finishing a whole sentence, because in my head I do, but I’m not writing it on paper. I’m actually missing words.”

In addition to these challenges, Genovese also faced a lack of confidence.

“I thought that my brain wasn’t good enough. I didn’t think that I was good enough to get my bachelor’s,” said Genovese.

Despite her concerns, Genovese graduated with straight As. She said it took time for her to understand her accomplishments. It wasn’t until she arrived at the SNHU Commencement ceremony and saw the stage that she realized what she had achieved.

“I’m really proud of myself,” said Genovese. “Like, really, really proud of myself.”

Throughout her journey, Genovese said her advisor, Carol Searles, was a valuable source of support and encouragement. In addition, SNHU’s Online Accessibility Center (OAC) provided Genovese with a program plan specific to her needs, which she said allowed her to work with her instructors to meet or extend deadlines.

To encourage other students, Genovese said: “If you want to do this for yourself, you can. It’s very complicated, and you’re going to want to give up a thousand times but don’t. It’s really rewarding when you finish and you get that degree.”

Going forward, Genovese said she hopes her own degree will open doors. Though her educational focus has shifted from mortuary science to criminal justice, Genovese said she wants to use her degree to work in a medical examiner’s office and investigate crime.

For now, Genovese said she is just living and enjoying life. She recently climbed Mount St. Helens in Oregon and even bungee jumped off a 300-foot bridge. She said graduating helped give her a sense of empowerment to try nearly anything.

“I was like okay, I can literally do anything that I want — let’s go climb the mountain, let’s go bungee jump off the bridge, and it’s really exhilarating,” she said.

Abigayle Mahnken is a writer from South Carolina, who is currently earning her master's in creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.