A new year is synonymous with new goals. But sometimes, life gets in the way, especially if you鈥檝e set your sights on getting a degree while balancing classes with work and other obligations.

Look no further for inspiration than Jennifer J. Williams, a paralegal in MUSC鈥檚 Office of General Counsel. Williams earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in December from the College of Health Professions Healthcare Studies program.

The online degree program is tailored for nontraditional students, many of whom have full-time jobs and are the first in their families to attend college.

And it was perfect for Williams, who turns 54 this month and admits that her path toward a four-year degree was, well, winding. In fact, she first set foot on a college campus more than 25 years ago as a freshman premed student at the University of South Carolina. 

A severe bout with pneumonia sidelined her academic pursuits. A year later, inspired by a hospital nurse who took care of her, Williams enrolled in USC鈥檚 nursing program. To pay expenses, she worked at a Columbia law firm. Her work ignited a love for law, and encouraged by the attorney she worked for, Williams switched paths and earned a degree in paralegal studies at Midlands Technical College.

 

Still, her career straddled parallel tracks as she married, raised two children and moved to Florida, where she worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and later at the Duval County Health Department. 

鈥淚 was very much a 鈥榣aw person,鈥� but I was looking for an opportunity to combine my love for health care and law and to finish what I started,鈥� Williams said. 

In 2022, opportunity presented itself when she accepted a job in MUSC鈥檚 Office of General Counsel reviewing legal contracts. 

Within a year, encouraged by her colleagues and her husband, Brian, Williams enrolled in program.

For 18 months, she immersed herself in every facet of health care, from research and evidence-based practice to business and administration. 

She describes her experience in the Healthcare Studies program as 鈥減rofoundly rewarding鈥� and recommends it for anyone, particularly MUSC employees, seeking to further their education and advance their careers in health care.

鈥淓very aspect of health care was covered. The professors are not only highly knowledgeable but also bring a wealth of practical experience to their teaching,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淭hey exhibit remarkable patience and understanding for students like me who are balancing full-time jobs with academic commitments.鈥� 

Lauren Gellar, Ph.D., division director of Healthcare Studies and a professor in the College of Health Professions, said the program is designed for students like Williams who have completed 72 college credits elsewhere or have associate degrees and want to advance their careers. 

In fact, the college鈥檚 2024 graduating class included seven MUSC employees and two former employees, nearly half the graduating class, Gellar said. 

鈥淭he program is a firm stepping stone for clinical and non-clinical students,鈥� she said. 

Moreover, MUSC employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement, keep their jobs at MUSC and work full time, said Jonathan L. Vallentine, director of Workforce Development for MUSC Health Human Resources. The program also highlights the OneMUSC strategic plan鈥檚 commitment to empowering people to develop professionally. 

As for Williams, she tells everyone thinking about continuing their education to 鈥済o for it.鈥�

鈥淚f it鈥檚 something that you want to do, it never goes away. As long as you鈥檙e breathing, you can do it.鈥�  

Meanwhile, Williams is already working toward another degree. In January, she begins online classes for her master鈥檚 degree in Health Systems Law at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law at the University of South Carolina.