Completing Education a Critical Step in Achieving Lifetime Goals
By Bethany Monroe

A college education had been a part of Rhosetta Rhodes', '99, life plan since childhood. Her parents instilled the value of a good education and she set off to the University of South Florida after graduating high school, but life as a working mom and military wife on the move got in the way.

When Rhodes enrolled in Whitworth's Continuing Studies program in 1996, she already had a full-time job and was married with three children. Still, she knew that she needed her bachelor's degree to fulfill her career goals. The continuing studies program is designed especially for working adults like Rhodes who already have some college credit and want to complete their degree without leaving the workforce.

"For many of our adult students, obtaining their degree is so much an affirmation of both the journey they've been on and the journey they continue on after their degree," said Whitworth Continuing Studies Director Cheryl Florea Vawter, '94. "It's such a high watching these peoples' lives change."

Rhodes knew that adding classes and homework to her balancing act of career and family would be a challenge, but decided that finishing her degree would be worth the hardships. Rhodes' three children, in junior high and high school at the time, tried to orchestrate their activities around her school schedule, and she still made time to attend their basketball and football games.

"My family supported my attending school and completing my degree, so they picked up the slack. We just considered it a worthy investment," Rhodes said. "I was always rushing, trying not to allow school to be too disruptive of our normal activities."

Rhodes was hired by Spokane Falls Community College to create and manage their service learning program less than two years after graduating with her B.A. in organizational management. She enjoys working in a career that meshes community service with education.

"Service learning enhances student education while simultaneously meeting community needs," Rhodes said.

Rhodes now serves as the Director of Continuing Education, Service-Learning and Community Engagement for Spokane Falls Community College. Although coordinating service projects with local nonprofit organizations is part of her job, Rhodes also participates in community service in her free time.

In 2000, she organized Homeless Night at Calvary Baptist, her home church. Participants were invited to listen to a speaker from a local women's shelter and sleep outdoors for a night to experience a small taste of the homeless life. Rhodes hoped the event would spur participants to understand the needs in their community and get involved in volunteer service.

"We basically dismantled a lot of myths people had about homelessness," Rhodes said. "People tend to think, 'Oh, that won't happen to me,' when it really only takes one or two circumstances and anyone could be homeless," Rhodes said.

Besides organizing community service events and helping students get involved in service-learning, Rhodes enjoys building relationships.

"Personally, I tend to be drawn to the types of service where I work with people one on one," Rhodes said. "I think I'm drawn to that type of service because you tend to establish relationships."

Rhodes said she would have never landed her current job without her bachelor's degree. Although it was a sacrifice for her and her family, she is glad she did not give up her dream of completing a college education.

"I do appreciate the education I got at Whitworth," Rhodes said."It's been a highly valuable addition to my life. It has served me well."

Vawter has seen many adult students complete their degrees at Whitworth, but said she will always remember Rhodes for her positive attitude.

"She is just a smart, dynamic, engaged person," Vawter said. "You just knew she was going to find her place and use her degree in the best possible way and she's always found a way to do service to others. She's just one of our great success stories."

Rhodes' has set an example for her own three children and has helped them map out the steps they need to take to reach their own career aspirations.

"Education is critical to the accomplishments of their goals," Rhodes said.