Student Spotlight: Sallye Barnes, Communication ‘23
“This is a bucket list item for me. It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a little girl.”
Sallye Barnes shared those word with us before she crossed the stage with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication in Fall 2023, more than 20 years after she began her collegiate journey.
Sallye started college right after high school with dreams of becoming a journalist. However, she quickly realized that college didn’t fit her needs at that point in her life. After her first semester, she moved back home and got married. Then life, as it sometimes does, got in the way.
Sallye went to work and then had their first daughter. She still dreamed of earning her degree but felt it wasn’t good timing for her and her family.
The Breaking Point
Over two decades later, Sallye was frustrated. She had earned her associate’s degree. However, because she didn’t have her bachelor’s degree, she was unsatisfied with her career. She was doing the same work as her coworkers, but she had a lower job title and salary because she didn’t have an undergraduate degree.
That, combined with seeing her oldest daughter graduate and her youngest daughter start college, helped put Sallye in the determined mindset she needed to return to school.
“I just knew that in order for my family to be financially secure and for me to be able to move up in my company, I had to get my bachelor’s degree.”
Then Sallye learned that UTSA had a 100% online Communication program. Sallye realized she could complete her courses online while maintaining her work schedule and still being there for her family. She knew with UTSA Online, it was time to finish what she started.
“I was looking for something that was completely online. A hybrid would not work for me. I also needed something that was affordable. UTSA Online checked all of those boxes.”
Finding the perfect program for her lifestyle didn’t alleviate all of Sallye’s worries, but UTSA Online helped her overcome her biggest fears.
“I was so intimidated to go back to school, but the enrollment and advising process was so easy with UTSA. They had someone available to talk to me about every step. The advisors were amazing. I was so grateful for everything that they did to help the process go smoothly.”
Still, Sallye’s challenges were not over. She had to learn how to manage her time so she could balance her school and responsibilities. Then, during her final semester, she dealt with work stress and family health concerns.
She pushed on, and with the help of her family, she finally accomplished her dream.
Accomplishing Her Goal
Now, Sallye is an Associate Director for Sales and Marketing at an insurance company in her hometown of Kerrville, Texas. She’s putting her degree to good use, presenting at conferences how important intergenerational communication is in the workforce.
As Sallye reflected on her journey to earning her degree, she acknowledged that she would not be where she is today without UTSA Online. The program helped her find confidence in herself, which she will use to accomplish all her future goals.
She wants to encourage you, too, to pursue your dream of earning your degree.
“UTSA Online has every single resource available that you can possibly need. They are right there to walk you through it.
“It’s never too late. Don’t not do it because you’re scared, do it while you’re scared. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.”
Watch Sallye’s interview:
Interested in one of UTSA’s 100% Online programs?
UTSA Online offers several 100% online programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and post-graduate certificate programs. Explore all our programs to find which one is right for you.
If you are ready to start your career path, contact UTSA Online’s Undergraduate Enrollment Team at 210-458-4000 or onlineenrollment@utsa.edu, or the UTSA Online Graduate Enrollment Team at 210-458-4400 or onlinegrad@utsa.edu.
