Cynthia McQuintson is the first official graduate of our WVJC Online Campus!
When asked why she decided to attend WVJC’s Online Campus Cynthia said, “I originally attended school at WVJC in 1986 after graduating from Buckhannon-Upshur High School. I completed the Legal Assisting program and had a great experience with the school so I decided to come back to further my education.”
Throughout the years, Cynthia kept in contact with Campus President Patty Callen, waiting for the day the campus would start offering online classes.
Cynthia’s favorite part of attending WVJC is the Business Management associate degree program is perfectly aligned with her present job as a Finance and Administrative Manager for a publicly-traded company. “All of my work experience has been helpful in completing the business program and in turn the program has improved my skillset in many valuable areas,” says Cynthia.
Cynthia’s support system has always been her husband John and her son Andrew. “You never know what challenges you will encounter in life, but I am very close to realizing my dream thanks to all of their support (and willingness to eat pizza regularly),” she said.
“Family is always first and led me to be a stay-at-home mom for five years. My son Andrew is 17 and my daughter Kaitlyn is 20. When they were small and I was a stay-at-home mom, I started my own folk-art business that I still dabble in as time permits. I re-entered the work force and managed a five-site medical practice and an accounting firm before taking on my current role. For the past 7 years I have been the Finance and Admin Manager for a national home builder. My hobbies include martial arts and working with a bulldog rescue as a transport coordinator and rescue mom to Harley and Bruce.”
Cynthia wants to give a huge thanks to Patty Callen and the instructors at WVJC for making this program possible. Her experience has been great and she feels so fortunate to say “I am a college graduate!”
Cynthia’s advice for new students is go for it, but be prepared to trim out unnecessary activities in your life. When you set a goal to give up some television and some social time to reach this milestone—it will be worth it. When you graduate, regardless of your age, decide to be a continuous learner. So many people I see look at graduation as the end of the learning period in their lives. Those who have a thirst to learn more are adaptable, confident and successful.
Cynthia has been a part of the WVJC family for many years and we are so proud to have her as our first official graduate!