Kaplan University
B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2009

My name is Theresa Queen. I am a wife and mother of three and currently reside in the Des Moines, IA area. Going to college has always been something I told myself I would do. It's traditionally expected to have a student attend college right after high school. However, in my situation life just did not want to play out that way.

When I was 14 our family was hit with an unspeakable violence. I lost my mother to domestic violence. My parents had been divorced for some time, which was hard enough in and of its self. Being a child I assumed this was one of the worst things I could possibly endure. I was proven wrong.

Six days before Christmas of 1990, at six o'clock in the morning, I woke up to find the city's coroner car in the driveway. There had been previous situations that I had been a witness to, and seeing that specific car in our driveway, strangely so, did not come as a surprise. Hearing the words, seeing my large and intimidating father crying in the kitchen, now that was a blow I was not prepared for because at that point it became real. From that point forward I had one goal in mind. In some way, some form I would become an investigator. Someone who fought for those that could not fight for themselves. I wanted and needed to protect those in my life with everything I had in me.

Shortly after high school I became pregnant with my son and a year later I married his father. Then the years began to pass, one right after the other (including the arrival of 2 more children—both girls). As natural to me as breathing is, my dreams went to the back burner where they remained up until four years ago. I decided to go online and search for a school that would fit my life style and my need to be available 24/7 for my children.

One of my criteria for the school is that it was accredited. Lucky for me I happened upon a link through one of my websites I keep tabs on and was presented with Kaplan University. After careful consideration and thorough research on what the school offered, I went and applied for a student loan. Next was signing up with Kaplan's online courses. Within a few weeks I was beginning a very long and interesting journey in the Applied Science of Criminal Justice.

Some would say schooling either in person or online, along with raising children and taking care of the house, would be almost too much for one person to handle. I agree. At times it seemed almost impossible. My husband at the time and my family, at first glance, was supportive of what I was doing. Kudos and the pep talks came in droves.

However, towards the middle of my first ten weeks of classes, things became unbearable. I found myself in a spiraling marriage that was beginning to mirror that of the last year of my mom's life. I wanted no part in it, had let it go on long enough. I filed for divorce and moved myself, along with my three children, into my parents home, whom were kind enough to allow us refuge.

Depression set in as well as a barrage of other emotions. I still had to function as a parent, help take care of the house (cooking, cleaning). I also had to deal with the fallout of the divorce, look for a job (which I'm still working on, but this time in conjunction with my degree), and resemble somewhat a well balanced individual. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. Yet throughout it all I managed to stay on top of my schooling, graduate suma cum laude with honors and Mastery in Composition and Communication. It took me close to 3 years to finish with Kaplan, but finish I did.

Some would call it a feat of mass proportions. Some would call it just a blip on the navigational screen of life. For me it was the beginning of where I want my life to go. Kaplan University provided me with the ability to see what I was made of. The professors are tough yet kind, strict but understanding, and are more than willing to work with students however possible to ensure their education is a successful venture. My academic advisor was extremely helpful in answering any and all of my questions. All in all, I would not call my years with Kaplan a waste. I would call it a benefit and a large one at that. I believe that there is nothing insurmountable in life as long we have the dream, the determination, and the gumption to go after what we want. I went after it with a vengeance and came out the victor.

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