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Life Takes Aisha Huntley on a Winding, Rewarding Educational Journey

Aisha Huntley PortraitFor many adults, it takes courage to walk through a door that can change the trajectory of their life. Oftentimes, that first step is taken with a mixture of hope and trepidation. Aisha Huntley ’05, G ’11 never imagined that she would find herself on the Syracuse University campus pursuing a bachelor’s degree after struggling to earn an associate degree at Onondaga Community College. “School had never been easy for me,” says Huntley. “I had to work so much harder than my peers.”

It was a University College billboard and radio ad that gave Huntley the courage to attend an information session to learn whether or not she had what it takes to be an SU student. “I walked into University College with a toddler in tow,” says Huntley. “After talking to an advisor, I politely told her I didn’t know what I was thinking and apologized for wasting her time. She wouldn’t let me leave without making another appointment to talk with her again and told me she would personally do whatever she could to help me succeed.”

Like many part-time students, Huntley was raising her daughters while working full time. “I had many blue-collar jobs that were decent, but not good enough,” she says. “With each new job came a yearning to do more, have more and be more. Not only for myself, but for my children.”

Huntley and her five siblings grew up in Syracuse and faced many hardships. They were able to navigate through the challenges of life by sticking together and having a strong, hard-working mother as a role model. “She was the key factor in keeping our family together,” Huntley asserts. “Though forced to endure difficulties, many that were beyond her control, my mother still managed to foster a strong sense of shared commitment to our family while focusing on our academic success.” Huntley said that her mother’s ability to remain resilient during unstable times was one of the reasons she was a driven to succeed.

Inspired by her mother’s strength and encouragement, Huntley returned to University College for another meeting with an academic advisor. They discussed her options, the timeframe for earning a bachelor’s degree and the financial resources available to her. Through the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), most of Huntley’s expenses were paid for. “I was shocked to learn I qualified for the HEOP program and was grateful for the guidance I received to secure the necessary funding to return to school.”

Huntley found that support, guidance and tough love from the staff at University College was crucial to her achievements. “The staff checked on me every step of the way to make sure I had everything I needed to be successful. During those early years, there were times my advisor even watched my daughter so I could complete homework assignments and attend group meetings.”

While Huntley considered earning a degree in education, she chose information management and technology, and after graduating, worked as an Information Technology Analyst. “I realized that if I remained in that field, I would forever be confined to a cubicle,” she says. “I never thought about being a teacher until friends and family encouraged me to pursue it. Teaching was not a profession I thought about as a child.” However, Huntley could imagine herself being a school administrator and returned to Syracuse University’s School of Education to earn a master’s degree in education.

Making an Impact

These days, Huntley teaches special education at Frazer Pre-K-8 School in Syracuse. She teaches all content area subjects to the 15 students in her class and every day is a challenge. “I teach them, listen to them, wipe tears, foster friendships and diffuse tense situations” she explains. “I tell them the difference between Common Core lessons and life lessons.” Teaching in room 220 at Frazer School, Huntley says that on any given day you can hear her say, “this is not a 220 lesson, this is a life lesson.”

There is no doubt that Huntley is making a significant impact on her students. She wants to ensure that they are not only school smart, but street smart as well.  “I talk to them about advocating for themselves, knowing when to walk away and the difference between right and wrong,” she says. “More importantly, I hold them accountable for their actions.”

Because Huntley grew up in Syracuse, she knows firsthand the challenges that some students face. It is that understanding that gives her the ability to authentically guide them. “It takes more than relying on what was learned in school or navigating lesson plans to make a difference in students’ lives,” she says.

Huntley now has a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) degree from St. John Fisher College. “I knew I wanted a doctoral degree, but it seemed out of my reach, especially since I didn’t have any role models who encouraged me to begin my education at a young age.” Huntley said earning each degree was an accomplishment she never dreamed was possible. “Defending my doctoral dissertation and receiving final editor approval was the proudest moment of my life.”

Reimagining her purpose and passion

Huntley reflects on her years of higher education and knows that she’s not quite done learning. She is back at the School of Education taking classes in pursuit of a Certificate of Advance Study (CAS) in Educational Leadership. She dreams of becoming a leader in social justice in order to influence change in urban, marginalized communities.

“I did not want my childhood reality to be that of my children, she says. “I dedicate all of my hard work, blood, sweat and tears to my four amazing daughters. I finally earned my seat at the table and they bear witness to that. I have four daughters and four degrees. I defied all expectations and you can too.”

Students Can Earn 3 or 4 Credits Over Winter Break!

Syracuse University’s Winterlude offers students the opportunity to earn three or four credits in four weeks. Over 30 Winterlude classes are offered completely online. Students are limited to taking one class.

Winterlude classes are open to Syracuse University students, both full and part-time. Main campus students should meet with their home college academic advisor for advisement prior to enrolling in a Winterlude class.

Winterlude tuition is not included in the full-time academic year tuition charge.  Registration starts on November 16 and classes are held online December 21, 2020, through January 15, 2021.

Visit winter.syr.edu, call 315-443-9378, or e-mail winter@syr.edu for more information.

University College Announces Two New Online Programs

To meet the growing demand for a bachelor’s level degree in the healthcare field, University College announces a new Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) online degree in Healthcare Administration. The degree will combine business, finance, electronic records management, human resources, project management and conflict management skills that will prepare graduates for a variety of positions such as health care administration, clinical services director, health information manager and clinical account managers. This program is ideal for individuals interested in launching a career in the medical field or looking to advance their existing career.

University College also announces the new certificate program in Project Management. The 15-credit certificate is interdisciplinary and designed to help students explore the foundations of organization, leadership, methodologies, and the communication techniques of project management. The prerequisite for admission in this program requires an associate degree or 60 college credits.

Registration for the spring semester begins Monday, December 7.  For more information contact University College at 315.443.9378, toll free at 1.866.498.9378 or email parttime@syr.edu.

Post-Traditional Advancement

Alumni and Friends,

Jeff Comancini PortraitAs we continue to deal with the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on everyday life, staying connected is more important than ever.  As a Syracuse University online or residential student who studied part-time at University College, you are an important part of our Orange community.

The future of University College is grounded in our mission to provide access for part-time students seeking to transform their lives through a Syracuse University degree from anywhere in the world.

As you will see from the stories in this issue of UC Priorities, giving back and paying it forward are critical our success. We hope you’ll be moved by our cover story about Eli Harris, whose love for our campus and students inspired his family to create a scholarship in his honor.

Thanks to the generosity of the Allyn Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation and private donors, we were able to partner with Blackboard Inc. to offer training to CNY teachers to help them learn effective strategies for teaching online.

This past summer University College partnered with the Office of Alumni Engagement to launch Alumni College—a continuous learning program for alumni, parents and friends of Syracuse University. The program is being enhanced and in January, it will be renamed Orange Academy and offer an expanded selection of courses.

The start of the holiday season is nearly upon us, and we ask you to consider a donation that will help University College students fulfill their goal of earning a college degree. Make a difference in the lives of those we serve! Visit https://professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/give-to-uc/ to learn how your gift can make an impact.

Stay healthy and safe,

Jeffry Comanici ‘88

Executive Director, Post-Traditional Advancement

A Message from the Dean: Confidence and Authenticity

Michael Frasciello PortraitStudents who attend college part-time while managing jobs, family and life have been described as non-traditional, post-traditional, adult learners, life-long learners and returners. Within University College, we often describe our students as determined, focused, resolved, dedicated, future-oriented, thoughtful, brilliant, versatile and strong.

The problem with these descriptions is they leave out the confidence and authenticity behind the individual characteristics. They fail to capture the breadth and depth of the students—you—who are transforming your lives with a Syracuse University education. (more)

The most amazing and inspirational people I’ve met in my life exude confidence and authenticity. Our students are those people. When I talk to our students, I hear their challenges and successes, their goals and aspirations. I hear our students’ confidence in how they describe their comfort with their weaknesses rather than their strengths. I see our students’ authenticity when they explain how they can ask for help while recognizing they don’t have all the answers. Our student’s stories are expressions of belief and strength.

During this year of unprecedented challenges and change, University College students—you—are writing better descriptions. In the face of volatility, you are demonstrating the strength to direct your own future and the courage to engage with the world around you. Amidst uncertainty and ambiguity, you continue to question everything, to push through challenges and to express a tireless determination to succeed. In this year of disruption and discord, you are showing us that motivation and self-discipline are more than words on a poster, and that the most rewarding personal transformations occur when a relentless pursuit of knowledge is unhindered by setbacks and failures.

As you help us better describe what it means to be a part-time student at Syracuse University, know the one thing that will never change is University College’s unwavering belief in you—the confident and authentic you.

In your service,

Michael J. Frasciello, Ph.D., Dean