Watching her daughter begin her academic journey recently as a first year student at NC State was a proud moment for AnneMarie Faulk. It was also the catalyst for Faulk to finally realize her goal of pursuing her own college degree. After many years of being away from the workforce, she discovered that her career opportunities were limited by her lack of a college degree.
As a non-traditional student from rural Whiteville, N.C., who owns and manages a horse farm, Faulk needed a fully online degree program that would account for her lived experience while developing her leadership potential. A passionate advocate for the ethical and humane treatment of animals, her career goal is to build her skills in nonprofit management before eventually establishing her own rescue center for small and large animals.
After doing some research, Faulk discovered NC State’s Leadership in the Public Sector (LPS) program — the university’s only fully online undergraduate degree geared toward working professionals. Designed for students who have already completed some college coursework, LPS attracts non-traditional learners including veterans and active-duty military personnel, first-generation college students, students who are parents and students who work full-time.
The program was a perfect fit.
“As a non-traditional student, the LPS program’s online format offered the flexibility I needed to successfully complete each course of study,” Faulk explained. “Returning to college after 20 years was a daunting and overwhelming process at first, but ultimately my experience attending NC State as an online student surpassed all of my expectations.”
Centering Nontraditional Student Success
The LPS program prepares students for a variety of leadership careers in public service and nonprofit organizations. Housed in the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the online LPS program adheres to the same admissions standards and academic rigor as every other NC State undergraduate program.
In addition to their core courses, students in the LPS program complete requirements by diving into various related topics, such as grant writing, fundraising, organizational psychology and human values. Electives can be selected from across the university, allowing for a personalized course of study anchored in the liberal arts.
That personalization, along with the program’s accessibility and flexibility, make it a popular choice for returning adult learners from all walks of life who want to make a positive impact on their communities.
“I began my college career in my early forties after being a stay-at-home mom for the majority of my adult life,” Faulk said. “Luckily, the faculty and staff in the LPS program understand the challenges non-traditional students face and make every effort to ensure their future success upon completion of the program.”
Faulk earned an associate of arts degree from Brunswick Community College before being accepted into the LPS program, which she completed in two years. “Being self-employed afforded me the opportunity to have a more flexible schedule,” she acknowledged.
“However,” she continued, “I still had to manage my time wisely and set aside quiet time to complete assignments and study. Being self-disciplined and organized has been essential to my success and proved fundamental to completing assignments and reaching deadlines successfully.”
Focus on Ethical Leadership
Acknowledging that public leadership roles — and the people who fill them — differ from those in the private sector, the LPS curriculum emphasizes the ethical, theoretical and analytical skills students will need to be effective public sector leaders in an ever-changing world.
Faulk believes the program’s emphasis on ethical leadership will be indispensable to her success as a public service leader — and to the success of her peers as well.
“Ethical leadership values are essential in today’s workforce,” she said. “The LPS program ensures current and future leaders are equipped with innovative leadership methods to promote and achieve quality organizational development with an ethical foundation.”
The support of the program faculty and staff also had a significant impact on Faulk’s educational experience. “The professors and guidance counselors I have had the opportunity to work with have always been readily available to answer any questions and to assist in any way possible,” she said. “They encouraged me to pursue my career goals and went above and beyond to offer assistance whenever possible.”
To provide students with the best online learning experience possible, the LPS program is Quality Matters certified, meaning that it meets national standards for online learning excellence following a rigorous external program review.
LPS’s excellence has not gone unnoticed: it is No. 4 in the nation in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs rankings. The ranking is based on a combination of factors including student engagement opportunities, faculty credentials and training and educational technology integration — all of which the LPS program has in abundance.
For her part, Faulk couldn’t be happier with the choice she made in choosing the LPS program at NC State. “LPS offers non-traditional students an avenue to obtain a quality education leading to job opportunities that would otherwise be difficult for an individual to achieve,” she said.
Faulk urges others considering completing their degrees to go for it. “Beginning a college career or making the decision to further personal educational goals is a commitment and investment in yourself and your future.”
Learn more about the Bachelor’s degree in Leadership in the Public Sector from NC State Online.
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