As a 42-year-old business owner and mother, Stacey Cole still finds time in her schedule to attend classes on campus at Simpson College.
In her twenties, Cole attended college at Buena Vista University, acquiring two degrees in criminal justice and sociology. She then served in the military and as a law enforcement officer for a combined 20 years, but faced a career-ending injury, which forced her to medically retire in September of 2023. Now, Cole balances her new way of life.
“My plate is full, it’s challenging at times but my family supports me going back to college which helps out a ton,” she said.
Cole owns her own farming business, selling poultry and lettuce. She previously resided in gardening, as it helped to reduce her feelings of stress associated with the military and law enforcement. With her love for gardening, along with having to medically retire, the perfect opportunity came to start her own business.
Cole then decided to re-enroll in college to help her business with a degree in business management; she is hoping to graduate in May of 2027.
A professor on campus Lisa Carponelli spoke about having Cole in her class.
“I did not notice her, it never dawned on me that she was a non-traditional student. But when she came up to me and talked about her resume, that’s when I knew she was a non-traditional student and I thought holy cow, this person had some experience,” Carponelli said.
Cole has gotten help from the veteran association to get her back into college. She spoke on her reasoning for choosing Simpson.
“I tried to go back to Buena Vista about a year ago and their portal was horrendous,” she said. “With my injury I can’t do online classes, I need to learn in person, but I had a professor who made us attend class four nights a week, at certain times which wasn’t an independent structure that it was projected to be. I get that with Simpson, the independent structure that I need.”
Cole said to be able to come back to college, she needed to have a good connection with the professors, which she found at Simpson. She also mentioned feeling a strong and supportive community on campus.
Carponelli spoke about her thoughts of having non-traditional students in class.
“Having non-traditional students in the day program is a huge benefit. It’s a benefit for me. It’s a benefit for other students,” Carponelli said. “They can bring their life experiences into the classroom and if they’re willing to share and contribute to discussion from that perspective, we all benefit.”
Cole has advice for those who are in a similar position and would like to go back to school.
“Don’t let any limitations stop you from what you’re wanting. Do it for your own purpose, do it for your own reasons, don’t let people tell you what your purpose and reasons should or shouldn’t be,” Cole said.
