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Create Your Comeback honors nontraditional students who juggle responsibilities of full-time employment, raising families while working toward degrees

By Alli Blair-Snyder

Always a special occasion, 91����’s annual Honors Convocation resonated with an even deeper sense of triumph and inspiration for the university’s adult and graduate students this year.

At the pre-commencement event in May, the first group of students to receive the Create Your Comeback Award for Resiliency and Excellence in Graduate and Adult Education crossed the stage. The award recognizes bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students who demonstrated resilience and excellence, using education as a transformative tool to overcome life’s challenges and setbacks.

The essence of the Create Your Comeback Award lies in its celebration of individuals who faced significant adversities yet harnessed the power of education to create a positive change in their lives and communities. The comeback concept was coined by Gaetan Giannini, Ed.D., 91����’s vice president of Graduate and Adult Education, to draw in the unique population the department serves. It was brought to life by the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications through its award-winning “Create Your Comeback” storytelling campaign.

“We believe it’s time for higher education to focus on the growing population of adults with past college experience but no degree,” Giannini said. “These students have the drive and unique determination to make their comeback and create impactful change for their communities, and we feel that it is vitally important that we recognize their commitment and accomplishments. This is the best collegiate campaign I’ve been involved with in my career. It is so rewarding to have students come up to us to say they are ready to make their comeback.”

Whether adult students are coming back to complete a bachelor’s degree, pursue a master’s degree or earn a doctorate, their paths are rarely linear.

The Create Your Comeback Award was a natural progression to follow, developed to formally honor the students who embody that phrase as they complete their degrees.

Returning to academia after many years, Tonee DelValle completed her Bachelor of Arts in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment while balancing family commitments and a full-time career.

“The words ‘create your comeback’ are powerful and motivational as I was originally on the fence about returning to school,” said DelValle, one of the inaugural award winners. “There were so many factors to consider as a mother, a wife and full-time employee. These encouraging words were the words I needed to take my chance, make it happen and create the comeback I deserve. Finally looking forward to achieving my education goal, and not allowing my fear to consume me, creating my comeback gave me that extra push to prove to myself I had it all along.”

While pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership, Nicole Reeser-Mazur made the difficult decision to put her studies on hold after suffering a brain aneurysm. After months of recovery, she told herself she needed to finish things.

“My personal and professional commitment motivated me to seek and achieve my educational goals,” she said. “It was not easy. I worked full-time and part-time positions to live while pursuing my degrees. Being a single mother motivated me to do my best for myself and my children. The sacrifices are truly worth the commitment. Education is the foundation that supports all occupations.”

Dzemal Crnkic’s story is equally inspiring. As a profoundly dedicated father and devoted imam, Crnkic has been a pillar of support for the Bosnian immigrant community. When his children faced a serious health diagnosis, Crnkic’s decision to pause his Ph.D. in Leadership program during moments of crisis reflected his unwavering dedication to his family and his sense of duty.

Crnkic credited his personal growth within the 91���� community, explaining it “was vital for me in making a comeback and finishing my degree. Dr. Spencer Stober, my dissertation chair, was always there for me and encouraged me when things got tough. Without his support, I could not come to the dissertation stage. We all encounter challenges in life. For me, the phrase ‘create your comeback’ underscores the significance of my personal resilience and the ability to bounce back from difficulties through active engagement in the journey of growth and improvement.”

Each adult student at 91���� illustrates that education is not just a degree, it’s  a journey of personal growth, resilience and empowerment. The Create Your Comeback Award will remain a reminder for each of the awardees and serve as inspiration for those still continuing their educational journey.

Create Your Comeback Award recipient Tonee DelValle shakes President Fitzgerald’s hand at Honors Convocation.