Mission Complete: Andrew Bolomey Becomes His Family’s First College Graduate
The journey to complete a college degree isn’t always a straight line. For Andrew Bolomey, it was a winding path that took him from the halls of NC State as an engineering student, to working at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and back to NC State. Only this time he would leave as the first person in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Bolomey’s story began in the fall of 2012 when he enrolled at NC State as a computer and electrical engineering major. The following year, in early 2013, an opportunity arose that would change his trajectory. He learned of a correctional officer position at the federal prison in Butner, NC.
“I took the position with the intent to finish my probationary period and go back to NC State to finish my degree,” Bolomey explained. However, the realities of shift work at a federal prison made it impossible to maintain his on-campus class schedule. Faced with a difficult choice between a stable government career and completing his education, he chose what seemed like the safer path at the time.
From Comfort to Renewed Determination
For years, Bolomey remained content with his decision, but the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and subsequent economic pressures served as a wake-up call. As he watched inflation rise while paychecks seemed to remain stagnant, he felt a push to reassess his educational journey and career goals.
“I realized I let myself become complacent and decided I needed to finally figure out a way to finish my bachelor’s degree to increase my marketability and further my career,” Bolomey shared.
His search for fully online degree options led him to LaShica Waters, who introduced him to the online NC State Leadership in the Public Sector (LPS) bachelor’s degree completion program. It was the perfect fit for his background and busy schedule.
As a Marine veteran working in government, Bolomey brought practical experience that would align seamlessly with his coursework. Even better, all of his previous credits transferred to the program.
The fully online format was a crucial factor in his decision to choose the LPS program. It would allow him to balance his education with a demanding schedule, including full-time work, coaching his son’s soccer team, and being present as a father and husband.
Finding His Stride in the Online Bachelor’s Degree Program
What set Bolomey’s educational experience apart is how closely his professional background meshed with the program’s curriculum. Working in corrections while studying leadership principles provided him with daily opportunities to see theoretical concepts play out in real-world scenarios.
“With my background in military and government work, it felt natural to be in the LPS program. I could see real-world examples every day and in my past work of what was being taught within the program,” he noted.
The program also reignited something that had been dormant within him. “Because of the program I have found inspiration to want to become a leader,” he said. “I’ve always found leadership to be one of the most important responsibilities in life, whether you’re a father, coach, manager or anything else where people look to you for advice or guidance.”
The faculty’s expertise and approachable nature further enhanced his learning experience, with professors who genuinely cared about student comprehension rather than just course completion.
Throughout his time at NC State, Bolomey was particularly impressed with the quality and passion of his instructors. While praising all LPS faculty for their dedication to leadership education, he highlighted Professor Dmitri Mitin for his patience and enthusiasm for research methods. He also appreciated Professor Amanda Edwards and Professor Tracy Appling for their understanding and guidance.
Further, he acknowledged Professor Philip Van Vleck from the Department of History with special recognition. “His passion for history and dedication to ensuring his students truly understand historical events, rather than just pass the class, has helped me find a new respect and passion for history,” Bolomey explained.
Navigating Life, Work and the NC State LPS Program
Completing a degree while working full time, coaching his son’s soccer team, and maintaining family responsibilities required extraordinary organizational skills and dedication. Bolomey credits the program’s online flexibility with making his academic goals achievable, though he acknowledges the significant personal commitment required.
“It takes a lot of organization and dedication to balance working, coaching, being a father and husband, and going to school,” Bolomey shared. His strategy involved taking advantage of evening hours for coursework and maintaining constant vigilance over assignment deadlines through the Moodle learning management system.
“Luckily the LPS program is fully online, so I was able to find my stride, as well as some quiet time to get my work done. My family, and especially my son, was very understanding when I had to disappear for a few hours,” he explained.
His ability to prioritize both education and family didn’t stop when the program ended, as it was perhaps most evident in his decision regarding commencement ceremonies. Despite the significance of becoming his family’s first college graduate, Bolomey planned to miss the in-person ceremony to attend his son’s soccer tournament in Boone, NC.
“My son puts me on a very high pedestal and I always strive to be the version of me that he sees. He is my biggest fan and I couldn’t miss his soccer tournament for the world,” he explained.
Looking Beyond the NC State Online Bachelor’s Program
Looking toward the future, Bolomey sees his LPS degree as both a career catalyst and a tool for personal growth. “I feel like the LPS program has reignited my passion for leading and has made me more aware of some leadership traits that I needed to work on myself,” Bolomey said.
He hopes that earning a bachelor’s degree will advance his government career and that the leadership skills and lessons learned will benefit him in future leadership situations.
For working professionals considering returning to school to finish their bachelor’s degree, Bolomey’s advice is straightforward: “I would definitely encourage anybody currently working and finding it hard to find time to make it to on-campus classes to look into the LPS program or other online options. The flexibility you have as an online student really does make all the difference.”
Although Bolomey’s story may have started with a difficult choice between career and education, two years of working and attending school full time have culminated in an achievement that was worth the wait.
“Overall, I’ve had a great experience at NC State,” Bolomey reflected. “The campus is great, the flexibility of the online program has made it possible for me to complete my degree. I am proud to be part of the Wolfpack.”
Interested in learning more about the NC State Leadership in the Public Sector (LPS) online bachelor’s degree completion program? Visit online.ncsu.edu/programs for a full list of degree and certificate programs designed for working professionals.
