Student Spotlight

Jessica Mattox

Ludowici, GA

Finding a Balance Between Military Duties and Education

Jessica Mattox (BSHS '24, ASHS '17) was searching for a school with a simple yet critical need: flexibility. As an active-duty military member, Jessica required a school that could accommodate her demanding schedule. "I was looking for a school that was flexible with my military schedule. I came across UMT during my research," she shared.

Jessica's demanding military duties often made balancing education a challenge. "At one point, I was a drill sergeant, which came with a crazy schedule. It was 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week," she recalled. With such intense hours, finding a school that could accommodate her was essential. After enrolling in her first courses, Jessica quickly realized that UMT was the perfect fit for her.

"I loved being able to go at my own pace. The setup was easy to navigate, and the classes were easy to understand," Jessica explained. For someone balancing military service and education, UMT's streamlined system and the freedom to work on her own terms made a huge difference.

Throughout her studies, Jessica praised the flexibility of the courses, as well as her professors' skill and insight. "I cannot stress enough how important the flexibility was for me," she said. Jessica valued the availability and responsiveness of the instructors, noting that, "I was always able to contact the instructor for assistance and receive prompt responses." Also, the registration process at UMT was a highlight. "It was easy and straightforward compared to other schools I’ve attended," Jessica shared.

Even with UMT's flexibility, the life of a service member brings unique challenges. Jessica faced deployments where internet access was limited or nonexistent. "Sometimes I had no internet access, which is obviously a challenge when attending an online school. I was able to save course material to my computer so I could study without the internet and let my professors know what was going on." With her resourcefulness and UMT's support, Jessica was able to stay on track.

As Jessica completes her bachelor's degree, she reflects on how combining her hands-on, military experience in homeland security with her academic coursework has given her a more comprehensive view of the field. "It has made a big impact on me. I'm now able to combine my real-world homeland security experience with my 'classroom' homeland security experience. It's helped me see the field from different perspectives."

Her journey exemplifies resilience and determination, and Jessica is now prepared to leverage her education and experience to make a greater impact in her field.

"Finding a school that could work with my demanding military schedule was critical, and UMT provided exactly that. The flexibility to work at my own pace was invaluable, and the courses were easy to navigate and understand. Combining my real-world experience in homeland security with what I learned in the classroom has made a huge impact, allowing me to see the field from new perspectives."


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