As the first in her family to pursue a college education, Keiser University learner Natalie Jeudy is thankful that her younger siblings are also working toward degrees of their own. “Completing my degree is important not only for me but also for my family. As the firstborn, I am grateful to set a good example for my siblings and to motivate them to stretch to greater heights academically and career-wise,” said Jeudy, a Keiser University West Palm Beach campus freshman whose sisters Falinda and Pascale are pursuing degrees of their own.

Jeudy was attracted to Keiser University because of its reputation and the fact that its industry supporters continually provide insights into workforce needs. “My research drove me to choose Keiser University because of their career-focused curriculum and active advisory boards which are comprised of community members, experts from different industries, and university alumni,” said Jeudy who is working toward her Associate of Science degree in General Studies intending to later enter the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program.

Jeudy is also appreciative of the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant. “With EASE, I have been able to study without worrying about tuition fee balances that may hinder my learning progress. It has been of great assistance, especially since it has relieved my parents of the burden of paying the whole tuition amount,” she reflected. “As a working student, I always find myself caught between worrying if I’m providing enough for my family and whether I’m doing my best in school. I have to work hard to ensure that I keep my job, my family is comfortable, I submit my assignments on time, and pass my assessments. All these can sometimes take a toll on an individual. Additionally, as a working student, I always fear a rise in tuition fees since that will mean dropping out of school, which is not an option for me,” added Jeudy, who was born in Haiti.

When asked what she’d recommend to others who are striving to achieve their goals, Jeudy said, “The first thing to know is not to stop at setting goals, but to work towards achieving them. I would also advise others to know that it is okay to be ambitious, and it is okay for goals to be scary as they work towards achieving them. Furthermore, goals should not be dependent on other people,” she said.

Keiser University’s Associate of Arts degree in General Studies provides a curriculum that allows broad exposure to multiple disciplines. This major provides a practical alternative for associate degree-seeking students whose needs cannot be met by individual majors. Students can design a course of study that meets their academic objectives and furthers their professional growth and development by combining courses from eligible disciplines into a coherent program. The degree combines general education courses with interdisciplinary electives. The proposed coursework is subject to approval by the dean of academic affairs.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associates to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and was ranked No. 11 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Reports in 2021.