I knew I had to get involved. The next day I called the Red Cross, and three weeks later I was in the field, talking about HIV prevention at detention centers, shelters, and recovery facilities.

Soon after moving to Las Vegas to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I got a job as an outreach worker with AFAN, a nonprofit organization that supports people affected by HIV/AIDS. I loved the job, but working full time made it impossible to go to college on a traditional schedule. Then I heard about the online program at Nevada State College.

Taking classes online allowed me to fit my school life into my professional life and my family life, rather than the other way around. As a student at NSC, I continued to grow both my career and my personal life. I got married and had a daughter, and I worked my way up through AFAN to become the executive director.

A lot of what I learned at NSC has had a direct impact on my work. Learning to listen and to understand people’s mindsets and behavior, for instance, helped me make the transition from working with patients into a leadership role. And learning about the psychology of survivors gave me valuable insights that I was able to share with my staff.

Since finishing my degree, I’ve influenced other people in my workplace to go back to school, and to do it at NSC. I tell them it’s never too late—and that they’ll have more value in moving forward.