Doing it all

Brandy Lenz was a student in Lorain County Community College’s University Partnership program when she got her first promotion at Nordson Corp. And then she graduated and earned her second.

“Having my bachelor’s degree has opened up new opportunities for me at Nordson that I wouldn’t have been considered for previously,” says Lenz. “It’s shown Nordson my dedication to my own professional and educational development, and they have been 100 percent supportive.”

She says working full time while attending school was difficult, but it paid off.

“It was challenging juggling everything, but it was definitely worth it,” she says.

The North Ridgeville High School grad had earned an associate of business administration – human resources management degree from LCCC in 2013, calling doing so “the best decision I could have made.” So when she decided to go back to school for her bachelor’s degree in applied communications, she headed straight to LCCC and its University Partnership program. The program allows students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from partner universities across the state on LCCC’s campus.

“I loved going to LCCC, so when I learned I could obtain my bachelor’s degree from Ohio University via the University Partnership, it just made sense for me,” says Lenz. “It was the most cost-efficient option, and it was very flexible, so I could keep working at my full-time job.”

It also allowed her to continue gaining real-world experience and moving up in the organization.

“Had I gone to a traditional four-year university, I wouldn’t have been able to work full time in my career and get the promotions I did,” she says. “I gained great experience in my industry, so when I graduated college, I didn’t have to worry about finding an entry-level job. That, to me, was one of the greatest benefits.”

Because she was living with her parents, she was able to use her income to pay for classes and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree debt free.

“If it weren’t for LCCC and its University Partnership, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” says Lenz. “I would definitely recommend it to other students. You’ll save tens of thousands of dollars, which you will be really grateful for after you graduate.”

LCCC was the first community college in Ohio to have a University Partnership program, in which students can select from among 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by leading universities.

Students attend classes in the University Center building on LCCC’s campus or the University Partnership Ridge Campus in North Ridgeville, and the average cost savings on a bachelor’s degree is $74,000.

Students can earn degrees from:

• Ashland University
• Bowling Green State University
• Cleveland State University
• Hiram College
• Kent State University
• Lake Erie College
• Miami University
• Ohio University
• The Ohio State University
• The University of Akron
• The University of Toledo
• Youngstown State University
• Western Governors University Ohio