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Alumni Spotlight

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Name: Barb Waxenfelter
Hometown: Latrobe, Pa
Now living in: Crescent, PA
Job title: Health Care Consultant
Employer: Retired from Ernst & Young
Degree earned: Bachelor of Science in Health Services, 1998
Campus activities, awards, and alumni involvement: Alumni Association Board of Directors, Member Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
Describe Point Park in one word:  Amazing

 

Hard work pays off

When Barb Waxenfelter started her journey Point Park, she was already juggling a full-time job and motherhood. While she admits there were times where the struggle seemed overwhelming, she has no regrets.

“I would not have gotten to where I am today without a Point Park degree.”

It took her a few more years than a traditional student, but Barb graduated in 1998 with a B.S in Health Services. When she retired three years ago, Barb had the chance to reflect on how her Point Park education opened so many doors for her long and successful career; a career that would take her all over the country and introduce her to lifelong friends.

“I've worked in 48 states and two of them are Alaska and Hawaii. One of my one of my best friends is still the woman that ran the concierge lounge [at] JFK.”

A new beginning 

Barb worked as a nurse for 17 years before going back to school in order to pursue the business side of health care. It was her previous experience that helped open doors for her as she explored her new career path.

“Employers liked that I was a clinical nurse, that I had that experience under my belt. I love nursing. I loved clinical nursing, but I worked 13 years on the night shift.”

She realized that having a degree would provide even more chances for opportunities in her field. Barb initially chose Point Park because of a program offered through her employer, but the flexible class schedules and quality of the education kept Barb to continue at Point Park even when she changed employers.

“When I started, I was local. I could do evening classes. I've spent evenings driving home [at] 10 o'clock at night and I was raising a family. They were still high school age, but it’s stressful.”

While the journey may have thrown plenty of challenges her way, it was all worth it when she graduated summa cum laude in 1997. And while she may have been categorized as an unconventional student, she was still able to celebrate with the traditional graduation ceremony.

“I loved graduating. I worked really hard to get it and all my kids were there. And my parents and my husband. I had a blast.”

Keeping the connection

Barb fondly remembers one of the professors who taught her real-world lessons that connected to her career.

“I just loved the fact that he could relate everything he was teaching into the real world. That's one of the things that I loved, because I was just getting into that business world.”

Towards the end of her career, Barb decided to reconnect with Point Park in a way that she hadn’t been able to while getting her degree. She decided to get involved and give back as an alumna. She is now the Vice President of the Alumni Board and part of the Executive Committee.

Point Park’s unique programs and adaptable learning environments are what helped Barb follow her own path. She was able to take the opportunities provided by her Point Park education and expand them even further with a strong work ethic and her ability to believe in her own talents. But most of all, Barb encourages other alumni and current students to stay motivated and to get involved in the things that are most meaningful to them.

“It's very easy to quit, but having that degree just provides so many more opportunities for you, and the opportunities are endless.”

Barb is grateful for the opportunities that have stemmed from her education at Point Park. Thanks to Point Park’s unique and flexible programs, she was able to graduate while simultaneously juggling motherhood and a full-time job. Ever since, she has been able to make a difference and inspire others to give back.


More About: alumni, School of Arts and Sciences, Alumni Associaiton Board