Cathy Fox has always valued education. Long before she attended American Military University (AMU), Fox dreamed about earning a college degree. Today, she’s a two-time AMU graduate.
Fox holds both a bachelor of business administration (BBA) and a master of business administration (MBA). Her story encapsulates perfectly the power of hard work and dedication when it’s combined with employer-sponsored education benefits.
In Fox’s own words, her “journey to an MBA was unconventional” and not without its detours.
Shifting From Nursing to College to Life as a Military Wife and a Mother
Before even finishing high school, Fox became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Following her graduation, she continued her studies and pursued a degree in deaf education at the University of Tulsa. “After my sophomore year, I exchanged my role of student for the role of wife,” Fox says.
“During the next four years, I became a mother and worked in a hospital. My husband was in the Air Force, and we had a short tour in Germany that was cut short by the illness of my dad. That prompted a humanitarian transfer back to [the United States],” she adds.
Exploring Professional Development Opportunities for Career Growth
After her family returned home, Fox pivoted away from the healthcare profession and entered the corporate world. She made a name for herself at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).
“GWCC is where I shifted from job to career,” Fox says. During her time with the organization, Fox immersed herself in professional development. She obtained specialty certifications through Professional Secretaries International, now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP®).
“IAAP provided an opportunity to develop my skills in leadership, finance, and other areas that were not part of my daily job. It also ignited in me the desire to complete my undergraduate degree,” she says.
Unfortunately, tuition expenses presented a challenge. GWCC offered tuition reimbursement education benefits, but covering the cost of college classes upfront would have created financial strain. “I was not willing to go into debt to fulfill my desire for a degree, nor was I ever willing to ask my family to sacrifice for my dream,” she says.
Employer-Sponsored Tuition Benefits Helped Make Fox’s Dream a Reality
Following her five-year tenure with GWCC, Fox landed a role with Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Once again, her compensation package included tuition benefits.
Rather than tuition reimbursement, however, Starwood offered its employees tuition assistance. This financial assistance meant that Fox could enroll in a degree program without being required to pay the cost of attendance up front.
“I searched for distance learning and found American Military University. I had a head start with 90 hours to my credit. But to earn my degree, I needed another 60 hours, so my academic journey began,” she observes. “I chose AMU initially for my bachelor’s degree, because it was a fully accredited, distance-learning school that did not require on-site attendance.”
At this point, Fox was employed full-time and raising a family. Still, she was determined to earn her BBA.
“It’s a balance, and it’s time management. It’s wanting to do it – it’s not like when you’re in high school, when you’re doing it because you have to do it. It’s because you want to do it,” explains Fox.
By taking one eight-week course at a time, Fox completed her studies and graduated in 2005 with her BBA. Still, her academic endeavors were far from over.
In September 2020, Fox returned to AMU to pursue her MBA. “I chose AMU for my MBA, because I appreciated the experience I had in completing my undergraduate degree,” she says. “Other schools were suggested to me, but I didn’t have any desire to pursue any other options.”
Graduating with the Help of EdAssist by Bright Horizons
During her graduate studies, Fox accepted a position as a senior executive assistant within T-Mobile’s legal department. There, she had access to tuition assistance benefits through her employer’s partnership with Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions®. EdAssist’s online platform provides students with access to their employer-provided tuition benefits.
“They are really good about responding,” Fox says of Bright Horizons. “If you run into questions or issues, they respond really fast.”
By May of 2023, Fox completed her MBA degree, just months before her 70th birthday.
It’s Never Too Late to Pursue Higher Education
As a lifelong learner and a proud graduate, Fox is an inspiration. “I think that a lot of people feel like they’ve reached an age where they’re too old or there’s no benefit [from going back to school], but I think there’s always a benefit [in] keeping your mind sharp,” she says.
Her story not only exemplifies perseverance, but it also serves as a powerful reminder that even adult learners facing financial constraints can still pursue higher education with the aid of tuition benefits.
Fox shares her story with the goal of encouraging others who dream of bettering their own lives. “I hope to continue to touch the lives of people around me,” she declares. “Wherever your journey takes you, do your best. Give your best to make your best better as you accomplish your goals and your dreams.”
About University Partnerships
American Public University System (APUS), through American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) leads the way in workforce education. Our relevant programs are delivered online and are anchored by quality curriculum and flexible learning pathways that serve the individual needs of employees and the business needs of employers alike.
By partnering with our respected online University, we stand ready to optimize your education and training programs, solve for employee skills and proficiency gaps, and increase engagement. We also help you stay ahead of the competition by positioning your organization as an employer of choice.
Learn more about partnering with the University.
International Association of Administrative Professionals and IAAP are registered trademarks of International Association of Administrative Professionals.
EdAssist is a registered trademark of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.
Bright Horizons is a registered trademark of Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC.
Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions is a registered trademark of Bright Horizons Family.
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