Simpson University Degree Benefits Redding Bank Worker

For Immediate Release

01.13.2015

REDDING, Calif. - Growing up, Jeffrey Arndt was unable to attend both his eighth grade and high school graduations. On Saturday, Jan. 10, he participated in his first-ever graduation ceremony, where he received his B.A. in organizational leadership from Simpson University’s School of Adult Studies ASPIRE degree-completion program. He also became the first member of his family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Arndt, a 28 year-old Redding resident, chose organizational leadership as his degree because of his experience at U.S. Bank in Redding, where he has worked for the last seven years in different roles, including being a member of the wealth management team, a banker, and a teller.

“The experiences and knowledge I have gained because of the program have already helped me in my career,” he said. “I feel much more equipped for any challenges that may come my way.”

While in ASPIRE, Arndt was part of a 16-monthlong online degree program. He stayed connected with professors and classmates by using Skype and Moodle, Simpson University's online learning management system. In addition to organizational leadership, the ASPIRE program offers an online B.A. in psychology.

“The flexibility is by far the best thing about the program,” he said. “I could log on whenever and wherever and knock a few assignments out, though the weekends are when I took care of the bulk of my assignments.”

Arndt first attended college after he graduated from high school in 2004, but he had to stop in order to work. He later transferred to Shasta College in Redding, where he took online classes and the prerequisite courses needed to enter the ASPIRE program.

When Arndt started taking classes at Simpson, he was hoping to further his career. Shortly after starting the ASPIRE program, however, he received a job promotion, and his desire for a college degree changed.

“Now my degree is for me, a trophy that signifies my completion and determination to finish school,” he said.

After graduation, Arndt plans to continue working at U.S. Bank and eventually pursue his M.B.A. He also plans to spend more time with his wife, Rebekah, and son, Leon.

Arndt said one of the best parts of the ASPIRE program was the group projects. “They were the most rewarding, as they challenged me to work with people with completely different backgrounds, ideals and expectations,” he said. “More importantly, I made friends because of those projects, and that is priceless.”

Based on his experience, Arndt said he would recommend the ASPIRE program to others. “While I sometimes feel like I ‘missed out’ on the college experience, I got a lot of life experience instead,” he said. “The ASPIRE program is great for anyone with a career, a family, or anything else that makes traditional classes inconvenient or unattainable.”

-Article by Elise Wilson

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Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Center in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.

 

Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737