From Resilience to Renewal: Villanova Veteran Seeks Sustainable Future

Pamela Marshall is not your typical undergraduate student. She’s dedicated over 30 years of her life to public service, just recently earning her degree. Her story exemplifies dedication and a passion for making a difference.

At 17 years old, she joined the military under a split-option program, which allowed her to attend basic training and then return to graduate high school before starting her military career. For 27 years, Pamela worked as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare (NBC) officer, maintaining CBRN equipment and working in systems technology. After retiring from the military, Pamela continued working in the public sector as a prison guard for seven years. Always seeking new opportunities, she left her position at the prison and enrolled in a program to become a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinist. Pivoting to the private sector, Pamela worked for 10 years in manufacturing, utilizing the methods and technology that automate control, movement, and precision machine tools.

Decades after her military service, she learned about an opportunity for veterans to receive educational stipends. Deciding she wanted to further her education, she soon found out that her military benefits were set to expire, and she faced the daunting task of quickly finding a school that could accommodate her.

She drove around the Greater Philadelphia area and eventually found her way to Villanova University. Her first encounter on campus was memorable: "When I pulled up to the gate, I told the security officer I needed to talk to someone about the possibility of attending college as a veteran. It was lunchtime, but this friendly staff member stopped their break to help me find the right person to speak with." This initial experience of kindness made a lasting impression on Pamela as she finally found the educational environment she had been seeking. "It’s the most welcoming, people-driven school I've ever experienced." Once enrolled, the CPS advising staff helped her map out a graduation plan. She already had an associate's degree and was able to transfer many of her credits, so she didn't have to start over.

But Pamela's journey in CPS was not without its obstacles. As a student with dyslexia, she required additional support to succeed. Villanova's commitment to accessibility and understanding of learning differences, combined with aid from Learning Support, ensured she had additional time to complete her assignments and assessments. "I saw that it was important to Villanova that I understood the material I was learning, not just complete the assignments. They really saw me as an individual." Even with accommodations, it took a while for Pamela to feel grounded. Each time she stepped back, her advisor and professors were there to provide the encouragement she needed. "They would tell me, 'You got it; you just need more time.'” The continual support she received made a huge difference. “My advisor, Olivia [D’Aiutolo Mendenall], told me, 'Don't you dare give up; you're going to get your footing.' She was right, and eventually, I did." Despite the challenges, Pamela persisted.

As a student veteran, Pamela frequently visited the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members, where she found additional community and support under Director Mike Brown. She found herself leaning on Brown's guidance when she and her family experienced a personal disaster the semester before she was due to graduate. "Our house got a leak and flooded, and we had to be out of our house for over six months." Displaced from their home, Pamela, her mother, daughter, and grandchild found support from Brown. "Hotel hopping was stressful, but Mike guided me through programs that would help, continuously providing resources to aid the restoration process." In addition to Brown's support, Pamela felt encouraged by her professors during that time. Though she had to drop a few classes that semester, the ones she kept included professors empathetic to her situation. "My professors told me, 'Just call or email me and let me know how I can help.' That really made a difference." What could have been a significant setback in Pamela's educational path was reduced to a speedbump with the care and support from Villanova faculty and staff.

Along her academic journey at Villanova, Pamela discovered a passion for environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on water conservation. Inspired by her professors and coursework, she developed a newfound understanding of the world's finite water resources, which opened a deep-rooted commitment to protecting this invaluable asset. 'When I heard my professor say, 'The amount of water we have now is the amount of water we will always have,’ it really made me think. I'd never thought about it like that. I realized we have to take care of the water we have now.”

Four years after her start at Villanova, and with her degree in hand, Pamela has a clear vision for her future and is poised to make a substantial impact on water conservation efforts. After receiving several job offers, she has chosen to continue her work in public service, accepting a position at a nonprofit specializing in water conservation.

In the next five years, Pamela envisions herself traveling across the country, educating people about the importance of water conservation. She aims to broaden public knowledge and ensure everyone understands the significance of preserving our precious water resources.

Pamela's incredible story is about more than just achieving a bachelor's degree; it's about realizing a lifelong dream, overcoming obstacles, and making a difference. Her newly ignited dedication to water conservation is a testament to the University's commitment to fostering students to be socially conscious and engaged citizens. "If anyone is thinking about completing their degree at CPS, I say, go for it! Everyone here has had my back for four years and has made my experience so enjoyable,” says Pamela. “Walking on campus brings me so much joy.” What started with a commitment to public service at seventeen has continued throughout Pamela’s life. Forty-four years later, she is a shining example of the transformative power of education and community support.

About Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies: Founded in 2014, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) provides academically rigorous yet flexible educational pathways to high-achieving adult learners who are balancing professional and educational aspirations with life’s commitments. The CPS experience embodies Villanova’s century-long commitment to making academic excellence accessible to students at all stages of life. Students in CPS programs engage with world-class Villanova faculty including scholars and practitioners, explore innovative educational technologies and experiences, and join an influential network of passionate alumni. In addition to its industry-leading programs at the nexus of theory and practice, CPS has built a reputation for its personal approach and supportive community that empowers adult students to enrich their lives, enhance their value in the workplace, and embark on new careers.

PURSUE THE NEXT YOU™ and visit cps.villanova.edu for more information about the college, including a full list of education and program offerings.