Hardeeville_Firefighter_to_Graduate_from_USCB

Hardeeville Firefighter to Graduate from USCB’s Saturday Business School Program Bluffton/Beaufort, SC: When Danielle Dennis is not taking care of her 2 toddlers and teenage daughter, she drives fire engines and puts out fires. Although passionate about her profession for the past 7 years working full time at the Hardeeville Fire Department, her rotating work schedule was not conducive to continuing her education.

Dennis had previously attended regular scheduled classes at the Technical College of the Lowcountry but struggled with the hours. Because of the constant challenge regarding her class schedule, she found she was getting farther and farther behind in her course work. Seeing her stress, a friend told Dennis about the Saturday Business Degree Plan at USCB and she has been at USCB ever since.

The University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Saturday Business Degree Plan is a college degree designed specifically for adults with jobs during the week and who have already partially completed their degree elsewhere. The students who generally attend

the program are full time employees and who, do not have the time during the week to attend college full time and earn a degree. The convenience of the Saturday class schedule enables them to take a full load of classes and complete their degree, usually in about two years.

Dennis has spent two of the last three years attending college on Saturdays. “If I can do it, anyone can. You just have to have drive, determination and discipline. Because of the staff, teachers and family support, I have been able to achieve my goals of a college degree” stated Dennis.

Now that she has completed the program, Dennis plans to apply to graduate school so that she can work toward achieving a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She plans to stay in the public service sphere and eventually hopes to become fire chief somewhere.

Dr. Peter Swift, Saturday Business Degree Plan Coordinator, lauds Dennis' determination to finish her degree while working full-time and raising a family. “‘I have great respect for Danielle. She had two babies during her time in the program, took some time off, and then picked it up again. Like the other Saturday students, she took advantage of our flexible schedule and made it work for her busy situation” explains Swift.

“Most of our students take the Saturday classes as well as some of our online and evening classes. We try to stay connected with all of our students and help them plan out their course schedule, checking off the courses as they progress” stated Swift. “It takes focus and discipline, but the time goes quickly, and it is fun to watch students enjoy learning.”

The next information session for the Saturday Business Degree Plan will be held on February 21, Thursday at 6pm in the Science and Tech Building on the Bluffton campus in room 123. For more information, visit us on the web at http://www.uscb.edu/academics/undergraduate/Business_Administration/saturday_business_ degree_plan.php, or contact Dr. Peter Swift at 843.208.8213.

About the Saturday Business Degree Program: Students enrolled in the Saturday Business Degree Plan can earn a bachelor’s degree in business from a recognized institution of higher education in less than two years. With its complete-business management approach, the curriculum emphasizes leadership, business operations, ethics, social responsibility and strategic thinking. The course of study focuses on key business functions such as marketing, finance and operations, and fosters a better understanding of crucial management issues—leadership, human resources, innovation and strategic management.

Release drafted by Stefny Ankney, Social Media Coordinator for USCB.