Pursues life, work, and a PhD.

Nadine Lewandowski is the mother of two small children and Vice President of a large human services organization in New York. She is also a student, pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology.

“My time and family are precious to me,” says Lewandowski. And as a Learner at NCU, “I am able to have the perfect balance.

“I take one class at a time,” she explains. “I relish the work rather than dread it … I am able to model the value of good education to my daughters. I am able to choose the time when I work on assignments and I don’t allow it to interfere with the rest of my life.”

When Lewandowski says “the rest of my life,” that takes in a good deal of territory. In her job with a non-profit human services agency that offers a variety of services—including residential, employment, community outreach, health care and recreation programs designed to “help seniors, families and people with disabilities live more healthy, independent and productive lives”—she has a high level of responsibility.

In addition to that, Lewandowski is involved with the boards for other non-profit organizations and maintains local leadership positions for professional groups in New York State. Also, she and her husband enjoy a busy family life with their “two amazing daughters” and travel as often as possible.

Now it might seem that significant professional achievement and family life would be satisfaction enough. But even after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in mental health counseling at SUNY Brockport, Lewandowski found herself “yearning for additional education.”

Of course, not just any program would be a good fit with her professional and personal life. “For several years,” she explains, “I searched for an ideal higher learning institution and then I found NCU.”

Born and raised in upstate New York, where she still resides, and with professional experience including clinical work, management and teaching, Lewandowski was well aware of what she required of an educational institution. And she discovered precisely what she needed at NCU.

“No other traditional or distance learning program allowed for the flexibility that NCU does. I couldn’t possibly complete a Ph.D. program with the terms required at any of the schools that I researched.”

Lewandowski’s education goal is a doctorate in psychology. Beyond that? “My ultimate goal is to maintain a leadership position where I can continue to make a substantial impact on improving lives. Throughout the process, I plan to enjoy all that life has to offer. I have almost half of the credits toward my PhD and I will continue this pursuit with passion and gratitude.”