Making The Ordinary Extraordinary

Hello Everyone:  My name is Chris Perley.  I'd like to take a moment and first thank you for reading my blog.  There is a lot of information out there on the world wide web and you can afford to be choosy!  I hope that the time you spend reading my thoughts on Granite State College and the adult education service it provided me, will be time well spent.

I will start off by telling you my story.  My hope is not so much to impress you with it, but to give you an opportunity to see how my story fits in with your story:  So here goes....

I am currently 50 years old, married for the second time, and have three children, ages from 29, 27 and 6!  I live in Conway NH with my wife (and best friend) Brittany, who is Deputy Sheriff, and our six year old daughter Grace Alena.  We also have a black lab named Edge, who is my wife's police dog.  I serve as second in command, at the rank of Lieutenant, here at the Conway Police Department.  I have lived here in the Granite State since I was 14.  By northern Yankee standards I am a local (here for over 20 years) but not a native (born in the flatlands)!  I graduated from Kennett High School in 1978, (GO EAGLES), and enlisted in the U.S. Army serving with the 82ND Airborne Division....hooorahhhh!

At the time I graduated high school I really didn't see college as a viable option.  I was one of 4 boys, in a working class family and really couldn't wrap my mind around another 4 years of school.  I also recall the distinct feeling that life choices back then were "either, or".  I guess I didn't realize you could go in the Army AND go to college as well.  I certainly don't regret my service years, but if only I knew then how fast life takes over......

Within three years of joining the Army, I was married with two kids and that spells but one purpose in life, WORK!  Any ideas of college back then were nothing but faded memories.  At the time, college wasn't even a consideration as the jobs I were doing, like truck driver and lumber yard worker certainly didn't need an accelerated undergraduate degree.

In 1985 I got an opportunity that changed my life.  I became a cop.  I was drawn to the idea of police work through a friend who was a detective here in Conway, and a desire to be a part of something bigger than myself.  I loved the Mt. Washington Valley community and it just felt right serving it in that way.  Back then, a military background was common, and good preparation, in police work.  As a rookie your fellow officers were far more apt to ask you what branch of the service you had been in versus where did you go to college.  Boy have times changed!

I was promoted up through the ranks and in 1990 found myself serving at the rank of sergeant and as the department prosecutor.  The work was intellectually challenging and I felt I could use some formal education, not only as the prosecutor but to advance in my field.  I also noticed that the trend with new officers was that they had college educations.  I knew if I wanted to "Keep Earning" I had better "Start Learning".  I knew that although I had technical skill, and real world experience, I would need the credentials and broader knowledge that only a college education provides.  This is where my relationship with GSC began...  

In my next blog I'll describe the jumping off place of my educational journey, or what I like to call "Taking the Ordinary and Making it Extraordinary!"



    

So I just finished my second-to-last class; Victim's Right and Advocacy.  For me, it was one of the more interesting online classes for criminal justice.  Mostly due to the fact that with 25 years of experience, I have had plenty of training in the application of law enforcement theory, but not a lot of experience in the more human side of the endeavor.  Also, the class was made up of a larger mix of students in the social and behavioral sciences and not just CJ students.  It was nice to see other viewpoints expressed on topics I had dealt with for years but never really discussed intellectually.

This class got me thinking more about what kind of school Granite State College really is.  What might have been considered a kin to a correspondence school 20 years ago, because the institution didn't have classrooms or a singular campus, it really is a first rate distance learning university.  The students have ample opportunity to exchange ideas, access to excellent research tools and professors that care.  

I think the most endearing components of our school are the motivations everyone expresses as to why they are here.  Reasons like; Moms making a better life for themselves and their kids, mature adults who have raised families and now want a formal education for themselves, and adult learners who want to continue to contribute in their chosen fields by staying current and up to date, are all common themes with my fellow classmates.  Sincerity, selflessness and concern for the greater good are all goals that are held by members of our institution.  These are the types of beliefs that any college or university would be happy to have their student body hold sacred.

So along the way, on this journey of mine that has spanned 20 years, I have come to realize something.  Granite State College IS a "Brick and Mortar" school of sorts.  Not one with a campus, and a quad or a student union, but one of a different kind.  One where each and every GSC student that lives a life each day, and studies each night, are the bricks.  Those bricks are bound together not only by the collective experiences we share in the virtual classroom but by our goals to become better people, and to make the world around us a better place as well.  Those ideals become the mortar, solidifying us into a real place, a place where accomplishing more than your believed you could becomes a reality.  

As I enroll in my last class, I reflect on the work I've done, the people I've met, and the real sense of satisfaction I feel knowing that I accomplished much more than I believed I ever could.  At Granite State College, I feel like not only did I GO to the school, but that I am an integral PART of what makes the school special.  In the end, virtual or brick and mortar, that's what a great college experience should be all about anyway. 

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you at graduation in June ;)     

So I am wrapping up my career college training in criminal justice administration and cruising towards my bachelor's degree.  I signed up for the integrated seminar in hopes that since we we were all sooooo close to finishing it would be more like a big get-together, have a few laughs, exchange some stories and off we go.  Wrongo!!!!!  Granite State College gives opportunity, but it doesn't give away credits! 

My Online Classes for Criminal Justice had been challenging so far but this one was going to be a doozey.  Melding everything I had learned in the past years into a single meaningful topic, over the course of 20 pages in APA format looked like a mountain I would never be able to climb.  

I now know why CSG makes you take all those seemingly less important classes as an adult learner.  My online college English classes prepared me for sustained writing.  Critical thinking prepared me for tough analysis and synthesis of an idea.  Communications prepared me to express myself in a thoughtful and provocative manner.  It was all coming together and I could feel my confidence rising.  I had what it took to do this an I would see this through!

I can tell you that having that integrated seminar behind me is a great feeling.  I submitted a 20-page research paper on a topic I really cared about.  It gave me an opportunity to truly express myself, and show that I had obtained the academic skills a person should have when attending a true institute of higher learning.  I felt like not only had I learned, but that I had become educated as well.  For me, as an Adult Education Service, Granite State College delivers.   

Next up:  One down, one to GO!    

After graduation I hit the ground running.  I decided I would still signed up for a class a semester, starting with Survey of World Architecture.  I was taken by surprise by the summer semester a little bit.  The previous summer I had done test-outs, so this was my first real summer class online.  Don't be fooled by the length, it's 8 weeks long but 12 weeks full!  I am always amazed at the end of a class by the quality of Granite State College compared to other distance learning universities.  I learned so much about the world around me, and now see buildings differently.  This class really made me feel like I was at an institution of higher learning!

I also took a trip to validation nation last winter.  With the help of my academic advisor Nancee Caughey, I gathered up all the specialized training I had received over the years.  I was now enrolled in a Criminal Justice administration degree program so I knew my prior classes would be a big help.  I was doing all my online classes for criminal justice, and figured if I could validate out of a couple, all the better.

Validation at GSC is a process where you present, in a somewhat formal fashion, evidence of prior learning.   The prior learning has to have been A. significant, B. measurable and C. evidence of both provided.  It sounds more complicated than it is.  I presented many of the career college training classes in criminal justice I had taken at the police academy and other law enforcement institutions.  All of my efforts paid of BIG TIME!  I was awarded 22 credits towards my degree in criminal justice administration.  Do the math of this one: 22 credits, at about $300 bucks a credit, is $6,600.00 I saved.  Plus at one class a semester, I saved 6 semesters or 1 1/2 years of time towards my degree.  

Anyone who has previously taken classes for work or pleasure should seriously consider the validation process.  It really confirmed in my mind that GSC wants me to succeed more than anything else!   Don't wait, VALIDATE!!!!!!!!!

Next Up: Why the integrated seminar should be more like a lost weekend.   

So I returned to GSC with a renewed spirit.  As far as distance learning universities went, Granite State College was offering everything I needed to get my degree.  I started back up in the winter of 2008 with critical thinking.  The blackboard tutorial walked me through everything I needed t know to make it in this new electronic blackboard jungle!

I found the level of instruction and interaction more fulfilling than before in my face to face classes.  It was exciting to not only be back in school but using new tools and techniques to achieve my goals.  The on-line college opportunity that GSC was providing me was really making a difference.  I began to rack up the credits and get closer to my goals, feeling like I was on an accelerated undergraduate degree path.  I knew I was going to seal the deal this time!

One resource that I tapped with GSC was the ability to do CLEP and DANTES test-outs.  These college level aptitude tests evaluate whether you possess college level knowledge in a number of subject matter.  Although I did study to prepare for each test, you can really take advantage of prior learning with this adult education service the college provides.  In one summer I was able to CLEP out of three subjects, which gave me 12 credits towards my degree.  This also saved me 9 months and about $3,000 bucks too!  This is a perfect way for adults learners to qualify the knowledge and skill they already possess and really race towards a college degree.

Well after 18 short months from my second go-round, the impossible became the possible and I walked with the class of 2009 receiving my Associates degree in Business.  This was a great feeling, well worth the wait, and a milestone that no one can take away from me.  I described it as a half way victory because getting that degree let me know, I had what it took to go all the way.  I was going to continue on for my Bachelors in Criminal Justice Administration.  Now I knew, getting a degree wouldn't be a matter of if I could do it, but WHEN!

Next up: More classes and a trip to Validation Nation!    

I had put my dreams of a college degree away and carried on with my life.  I was busy, and happy in my career, but really never thought I would "close the book" on an adult education diploma.  I was enjoying some success in my career and as luck would have it, I was promoted to Lieutenant of the Conway Police Department.  This was a happy time for me but a crossroads as well.  Now that I was an administrator, would I have the credibility dealing with budgets, Boards and Committees?  I new I had to take another look at finishing my educational journey.

In December of 2007, I went down to the local Granite State College office and met the greatest people.  From my academic advisor Nancee Caughey to the office staff, Cindy, Patti, Julie and Molly, they were all clearly pulling for me to get back in the game!  They could tell that I was nervous about returning to classes after 15 years, especially the online classes for criminal justice.  I wasn't the most computer savvy guy and I was more than a little intimidated.  They explained the process of re-enrollment, accuplacer testing and the many new programs available to help me obtain an accelerated undergraduate degree. 

The thing that caught my attention first was the huge variety of degree choices.  I had choices like Associate in Science in Business, Criminal Justice or even General Studies.  All of these choices were now available online too.  No traveling to the Berlin NH College or to any Concord NH Classes for credit.  I settled on continuing with a Business Degree, now at the Associate level, and realized I was actually more than half way there!  My fear was replaced with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose.  I thought, "This is really going to happen!"

Next:  Online classes, test outs and the impossible becomes possible!    

My first crack at college life was anything but idyllic.  No strolling the quad, no Frisbee on the common with the buds.  Just plain work!  All classes were face to face then and at night.  Back then, Distance Learning Universities meant you had a long drive to class!  I was working day shift at the PD, prosecuting cases in court and studying by night.  My work was intellectually challenging, but that made school work even more so, I only have so many active brain cells!

Along with the schedule, there were the finances.  To qualify for federal financial aid you had to carry a part time class load which meant at least two classes a semester.  This had me out of the house two nights a week and studying the remainder.  There were even times, because of the emergency work I did, where I would have to leave class due to a robbery, burglary or other dilemma.  Not an easy road, but who said college was supposed to be easy? 

I did start to make headway towards my college degree, got my first official college "A", and my first migraine headache from all the STRESS!!!!! Ahh the good old days.  The quality of the classes was, and still is, first rate.  My mind was opened up to a lot of new and meaningful concepts particularly in management.  I carried on for 2 years and then life began to take it's toll.  I couldn't carry the part time student class load, which meant I would have to pay as I went.  This got expensive on a cop's salary.  In 1992 I took a break from formal classes. Although I had learned a lot, and was applying that knowledge at work in my position as a Sergeant, the dream of a college degree was still just that, a dream.  I wondered if with all life was throwing at me, would I ever finish what I started and have a degree? 

Next:  My return to the all new GSC!

In 1990 I decided to enroll in College.  I was 30 years old, had two children, a mortgage and a full time job at a busy police department.  Even though I knew I needed to obtain a degree, I was really dreading it.  The only brick and mortar school in my area was the Berlin NH college, or as we called it, "The Vo-Tech".  This really wasn't a realistic option as the drive was too far, and the time commitment to large.  A friend of mine was involved in adult education services at our local high school and mentioned the night school they held there for adult learners.  Back then it was known as the College For Lifelong Learning.  My first thought was "how would they fit that title on a diploma?"  It didn't sound very enriching but it was the only real option if I wanted to get any level of career college training in my area.

I reluctantly went down to the local C.L.L. office and met some wonderful people.  I am guessing that Gail Paine and Beth Beyerle had met the likes of me before as they quickly stripped away all the preconceived obstacles I felt stood between me and a degree.  I was left with only one real option, jump in with both feet!  I can still remember how helpful they were in taking me from looking in from the outside to actually being a real college student.  

Back in 1990 our college offered a much more limited plate of degree choices and options.  Although a police officer, the school had no criminal justice classes to offer.  As far as delivery method you had the choice of face to face or face to face!  That's right Gen-xer's the Internet hadn't yet been applied to commercial use for distance learning universities.  I picked a degree that I though would help me in the higher ranks of police work.  It was a business offering called a Business and Professional Studies Degree, only offered at the Bachelor's level.  So here I was, signed up with the School For Lifelong Learning in a Business and Professional Studies Degree Program (like I said, imagine the size of the diploma!), and starring down the barrel of at least 6 years of school ahead of me.  So with great trepidation I walked into my first college classroom, at 6:00pm, in my old high school, with my old English teacher.  I thought to myself "was this really going to work?"

Next blog I'll discuss how GSC made the impossible possible for me!