SNHU Spotlight: Stephen Goulakos, BA in Psychology Grad

While earning his degree online, Goulakos's children often showed interest in his studies and would sit with him while he watched videos for his classes, making it a shared experience.

"They were definitely invested in what I was doing at times, and it was kind of cool to watch them see what I was doing as well," he said.

Seeing her son considering college also motivated Kathleen Gagnon '21, his mother, to return to school. "I knew this was very important for Stephen to finish, so I figured if we just both did it together, then we could both inspire each other," Gagnon said.

She said the two chose to attend SNHU because the schedule fit their needs.

According to Goulakos, his psychology degree with a concentration in mental health prepared him to understand the issues young children face. He applied what he learned at his job at an elementary school, where he said he was surrounded by amazing staff.

“We all have a common goal in helping children be at their best and become the best versions of themselves,” he said.

When Goulakos decided to earn his degree, he was initially unsure how he would adapt to online classes. He said he ended up loving the experience and that each module clearly outlined everything he needed to do throughout the 8-week terms.

"SNHU honestly made me feel so comfortable from the day I walked in there to my last email," he said.

Goulakos said that he had many obstacles to overcome in earning his degree, and he's sure he isn't the only one. He encouraged others to take the leap and pursue their own degree as well.

"You're ready to earn your degree," he said. "You just need to get started."

From the time she was a child, Ashleigh Worley '22 found inspiration between the pages of books. Before long, she fell in love with telling stories herself. That love followed her into adulthood, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Today, Worley is a writer at SNHU, where she's pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When she's not writing, she's usually enjoying time with her dad and her abundance of cats.