Student Stories

Turn your ambition into an advantage. Join our community of dreamers and doers who earned their bachelor’s degrees on the way to achieving their goals.

A woman with long brown hair sits at a desk, smiling, and gesturing as she talks. She wears a black top and is in front of a laptop. A man sitting next to her, slightly blurred, is also smiling. They are in a modern office setting.

Where could a Northeastern bachelor’s degree take you?

Our bachelor’s degree completion students come from all walks of life—they’re from diverse backgrounds, have unique life circumstances, and aspire to different goals. One thing they have in common? They’ve leveraged the university’s support and guidance to achieve their professional and personal goals beyond what they thought possible.

Our students have:

Turned their associate degrees into bachelor’s degrees to expand their job opportunities
Returned to school to achieve their goals after previously dropping out
Pivoted their careers midlife to change industries
Set themselves up for career success by earning a degree while in or after completing service in the military
Pursued degrees as adult learners and first-generation students
Accelerated their careers from entry-level employees to director- and VP-level roles

Wondering if Northeastern is the right fit for you?

If you have some college credits, want to complete your bachelor’s degree, and want more out of your career, you’ll fit right in. But don’t take our word for it—watch, read, and learn about the experiences Northeastern students have had to get a sense of what you can accomplish here.

A man in a dark jacket and jeans walks confidently in front of a modern, curved glass building. The sun shines brightly, casting light flares in the image. Other pedestrians are walking nearby, and plants can be seen at the base of the building.

A person in a dark suit and white shirt smiles warmly at the camera. The background is softly blurred, showing a modern building interior with multiple levels and large windows. The lighting is bright and natural.

Matt Kiely, BS in Information Technology ’19

A person is standing outdoors, smiling at the camera. They are wearing a purple and white checkered shirt. There is a wooden door and railing visible in the background, with some green foliage on the right.

Dumazo Ngesina, BS in Health Science ’19

Woman with long wavy hair smiles while standing outdoors. She is wearing a floral patterned blouse, and a staircase is visible in the background.

Christine Langley, BS in Psychology ’18

A smiling woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a brown patterned shawl and a red top, stands indoors. She has gold hoop earrings and a gold pendant necklace. The background is softly blurred with people seated at tables.

Varda Tse Halidy, BS in Leadership ’17

A woman with brown hair and glasses is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a blue sleeveless top and a pearl necklace. The background is out of focus, showing green foliage and a bright, sunny setting.

Carmen (Urbonas) Aliber, BS in Organizational Communication ’13

A person with short, wavy hair wearing a dark blue shirt stands in a modern office space with glass walls and circular ceiling lights in the background. The person is smiling slightly and looking past the camera.

Andres Garcia, BS in Liberal Studies and Business ’20

Knowledge Hub

Student stories

Discover how our alumni achieved their goals—and how you can too. Check out our student stories to learn about their journey to a bachelor’s degree, and see what it’s like to be a student at Northeastern.

See all student and alumni stories

A person in military uniform is sitting at a desk, writing on a document with a pen. They are beside a computer monitor, and sunlight is streaming through the windows in the background.

Balancing College and Active Duty

September 4, 2024

Northeastern College of Professional Studies alumnus Ryan Daley describes his transition from the military to the classroom.

A green lawn with people sitting on colorful Adirondack chairs under a clear sky. A large American flag is on a flagpole. Buildings with modern and mural-decorated facades surround the area. Cloudy sky overhead.

Going Back to School at Any Age: An Alumna’s Story

March 17, 2025

Renea Smith, associate director of admissions at Northeastern University, shares her inspiring story of returning to college at 32 to become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The image shows a building labeled "Northeastern University" with an American flag atop it. It's a sunny day, and two people walk along a brick path in the foreground, with trees framing the scene.

Balancing College and Family: Christina McMahon Shares Her Journey

February 1, 2023

Juggling coursework, a full-time job, and family commitments isn’t easy, but McMahon encourages everyone to try.

Join the Northeastern community

Get excited to join our ambitious and inclusive community of learners. Connect with us today to learn more about the application process, financial aid, and more so you can take the next step toward your goals.

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