草榴社区

In May 2018, Nick Langan set a goal. By enrolling full time in 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Professional Studies, he set out to earn his earn his bachelor鈥檚 degree in two years.

Along the way, that goal evolved. His eyes were opened to a field, and a style of learning and collaborating, that made him eager to keep going past his bachelor鈥檚. Now, with his undergraduate degree in Information Systems in hand and as the recipient of CPS鈥� 2020 Grit Award鈥攇iven annually to the graduate who has shown dedication, courage and character throughout their studies鈥攈e鈥檚 decided to continue on at 草榴社区 for his master鈥檚 in Software Engineering.

鈥淚 feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this at this stage in my life, after having been out of school and working for so many years,鈥� Langan says. 鈥淚 found a new perspective and a new excitement for my classes that made the whole experience so valuable.鈥�

Before enrolling in CPS, Langan, who lives in Tabernacle, N.J., worked in radio and as the operations director at an IT company. When he decided to return to complete the bachelor鈥檚 degree he had started years earlier, he went all in, leaving his full-time job and committing to his studies. Soon after he enrolled, a computer programming course with Mary-Angela Papalaskari, PhD, assistant professor of Computing Sciences, helped him to chart his course.

鈥淚 remember spending hours upon hours on assignments because I found them so captivating,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was really able to unlock my creativity and tap into my interests.鈥�

This semester, Nick was selected to work full-time time on a research project with Moeness Amin, PhD, Director of the Center for Advanced Communications in 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering. The project aims to develop an accurate, easy-to-use technology to monitor at-risk individuals, including seniors, for early signs of COVID-19鈥攂efore the infection progresses to a dangerous and potentially irreversible degree.

The relationships Langan developed with professors along the way were a key to his success.

鈥淭hey were always available to me, and I feel like I have connections for life now,鈥� he says.

Langan鈥檚 academic experience was further enhanced by his activities outside the classroom. Through a communication course, he was offered the music director job at the campus radio station, WXVU, where he can indulge his lifelong passions for radio and contemporary jazz. He also worked in the College of Engineering as an operator for the college鈥檚 online courses, a job that became even more vital as the University shifted to virtual classes this spring.

CPS Director of Academic Programs, Susan Leighton, has gotten to know Nick during his time at 草榴社区, saying 鈥淣ick started with the College of Professional Studies as a strong student, but unsure of where this path might lead him. Over the last couple of years, he has worked incredibly hard in dedicating himself to his studies, found several passions, and truly dove headfirst into becoming a part of the 草榴社区 community. I鈥檓 so proud of Nick and can鈥檛 wait to see where this next challenge takes him in life.鈥� 听

鈥淚鈥檓 getting the college experience I never thought I鈥檇 have. I鈥檝e been able to combine all of my interest areas, and I have so many more options than before,鈥� Langan says. 鈥湶萘裆缜� has definitely changed my life. It鈥檚 the best decision I鈥檝e made to date.鈥�