Success Stories: Adult and Community Education Online Master's Program

Deborah Budash '03ACE
Program Director, MMS/MHS Programs
Saint Francis University

When I enrolled in ACE, I was restless in my career. I was a successful clinician and manager but wasn't content. At that time, I was a regular guest lecturer in an occupational therapy program and enjoyed it very much. Enrolling in the ACE online master's program was the first concrete step out of my comfort zone and towards my ultimate goal of teaching and research. Now I work in higher education and love it.

Cydney Daniel '11ACE
Director of Housing and Case Management
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force

The ACE online master's program facilitated my professional growth and development in my career field. It's helped me expand my creativity in program planning and organizational development. It also provided me an opportunity to apply real-world situations within the classroom setting.

Greg Null '09ACE
Director of Student Services
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

ACE helped me move forward with my career goals, giving me the skills I need to work with adult students.The ACE professors are the best in the business, and they go the distance to help you succeed. I recommend this program to anyone who wants a rigorous adult education program with local roots.

Denise Buckey '09ACE
Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator
Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pennsylvania

The ACE online master's program is one of the best decisions I have made. The online flexibility was a good fit for my career and academic goals. As a nontraditional student, I felt somewhat intimidated about returning to school, especially for a master's. Professors Gary Dean and Jeff Ritchey instilled confidence and self-development. I now use learning theories on a daily basis to provide nutrition and diabetes education. If you want to grow as an individual and professional, consider ACE your pathway.

Elizabeth Harkay '09ACE
Program Director/Associate Professor
Community College of Allegheny County

Finally being able to put a name and identity to the work I'd been doing for many years was gratifying. I learned to be more confident in my work as an adult educator. It's been of great benefit to me and my students to experiment with new learning techniques in the classroom/lab setting. Every time my students do a collaborative assignment for me, I'm reminded of the many projects I worked on with my fellow ACE students. 

Angela Isabella '07ACE
Director of Faculty Development
All State Career School

In my job I develop curricula and train adult education instructors. My ACE courses helped me to develop a more effective curriculum and more effective training for our instructors so they can be better teachers. The professors in the ACE online master's program are great and flexible, and they give you the tools to move forward in your own career.

Ron Skena '09ACE
Technical Writer
Emerson Process Management

The ACE online master's program has taught me the difference between learning as a youth and learning as an adult and the importance of healthy communities and community involvement. I recommend the ACE program to anyone interested in a challenging, life-enriching journey in education.

Rachel Gall, ACE Student
Income Maintenance Caseworker
Allegheny County Assistance Office

The ACE online master's program has helped me to reflect on my professional experiences in social services by allowing me to apply the course material to my work. I'm using what I learn in the courses to design programs to meet real needs of clients and coworkers in the social services. My goal is to be able to implement these ideas as I further develop my career.

Jessica Dick, ACE Student
Rehab Specialist/Practitioner
Westmoreland Psychiatric Rehabilitation

The ACE online master's program has been extremely beneficial to me. It's allowed me to achieve my educational goals while working, gaining the experience I needed. I recommend this program to anyone interested in working with adults.

David Clark, ACE Student
Coordinator of the Truancy Intervention Program
Beaver County Children and Youth Services

One of the best things about the ACE online master's program is the atmosphere. The faculty and staff are very helpful and create a hospitable learning climate.