Evening and Weekend Studies 2006-07

If you've reached a "certain age" and are contemplating a bachelor's degree, but wonder if you'll be in classes full of 20-year-olds, three of Evergreen's Evening and Weekend Studies students have a few words to say.

Dean, 47, a member of the Cowichan Bands from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, worked for 26 years in tribal law enforcement. He came to Evergreen in fall 2001 with only two credits and a GED. "I wanted to pursue a legal career as a prosecuting attorney," says Dean, who now lives in Tacoma. "In researching schools, I found that Evergreen was one of the leading colleges that law schools will accept."

To get into Evergreen, Dean wrote an essay showing how his experiences had prepared him for college.

"I knew I had a lot of life experience, but I didn't know if it matched what traditional colleges wanted." He was accepted into Evergreen and is working on a bachelor's degree.

Theresa, a mother of five, began her college education in 1974, but it was interrupted as she kept up with her husband's military career. Their final move to Washington state resulted in an entry-level position in state government. But the Centralia resident wanted more options, so she went back to school. With a focus in management, she earned her bachelor's degree from Evergreen in 2000. Two days after graduation, she got an offer from the Department of Corrections to work as a medical analyst.

"It's my dream job," says Theresa, 45, who is graduating this year with a Master of Public Administration degree from Evergreen.

Keith, 45, is another Evening and Weekend Studies Evergreen graduate enrolled in the MPA program. He has a management position at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, obtained with the understanding that he would earn a bachelor's degree, which he completed in 2001. Keith chose Evergreen because it was nearby and the college accepted the 100 credits he'd earned in the military. To Keith, though, Evergreen became much more than a convenience.

"It is a special place. The faculty pride themselves in teaching critical thinking."

With his employer reimbursing tuition, Keith could have gone to any school for a graduate degree. He stayed at Evergreen because "there's something here for everyone. Regardless of your learning style, you will learn here. Learning is a continuous process. It has broadened my perspective."

There are many challenges associated with obtaining a college degree while juggling family, job and school, but they can be overcome. For Theresa, it took a supportive husband and a love of learning.

"I love school so much that having my mind activated has been a really positive process for me. People make time for what is truly important to them."

For Dean, the biggest challenge has been adapting to Evergreen's flexible curriculum. "At a conventional college, they dictate which courses you need to take. At Evergreen, you are expected to lead yourself. That makes it scary and exciting at the same time," says Dean, who is a believer in the college's style of hands-on learning.

"Applied learning demands that you continuously teach yourself. I call that becoming a professor from within. Evergreen is the one place you can go where you teach and learn at the same time."

"The concept of applied learning is much more meaningful than memorizing and forgetting information," agrees Theresa, who originally chose Evergreen because it was affordable. She was quickly surprised at how much she liked the college. "It's a positive and accepting place. People need to realize what a treasure they have at their back door."

Tracy Kenela has an associate degree in accounting from South Puget Sound Community College, and earned a bachelor's degree from Evergreen this spring.

Contact the Site Manager

Last Updated: January 02, 2018

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Evening and Weekend Studies 2006-07

Getting Started

Program Listings

Course Listings

Students in Evening and Weekend Studies

Evening and Weekend Studies: For Students of a "Certain Age"

Related Links:

Learn More:

Other Ways to Study at Evergreen: