Shileen Shaw knows all about not giving up on education.
Shaw, of Newark, earned her Associate in Arts degree from Thomas Edison State University through the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Scholarship program.
She earned her degree while working full-time as a senior library assistant at the Newark Public Library’s Weequahic branch. Earning her degree enabled Shaw to expand her work to children’s services.
“This degree means so much to me because I never thought I would accomplish the goal,” she said. “It has opened doors to me and continues to motivate me and others to finish their education. I am currently pursuing my BA and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the scholarship and the flexibility of online learning.”
Shaw is one of two library assistants from New Jersey who earned IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Scholarships and completed their degrees at Thomas Edison State University in 2009. The scholarship program focuses, in part, on the development of faculty and library leaders, the recruitment and education of the next generation of librarians and the professional development of librarians and library staff.
Audrey Samuels, of Plainfield, completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies at Thomas Edison State University through the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Scholarship Program. Samuels works at the Plainfield Public Library as a library assistant and said adults interested in earning their college degree should try to have an open mind.
“The road of life takes us down many paths with each one offering new experiences and new lessons,” she said.
Shaw and Samuels joined approximately 375 graduates from 26 states and Saudi Arabia who traveled to the War Memorial in Trenton to accept their diplomas at the University’s 37th Annual Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
The University awarded more than 2,500 degrees in 2009 and has awarded more than 34,000 degrees since it began providing flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self directed adults in 1972.
Toni M. Terry, BA