This graduation season, we proudly celebrate all the students who made Sophia Learning part of their education journey. By taking advantage of our affordable, online, college-level courses, learners of all ages and backgrounds have been able to grow their knowledge and save time and money on a degree.
For some, it’s a powerful option to launch themselves into the workforce. For others, it’s about accelerating or revitalizing their careers. And for every learner, it’s about gaining new skills in support of personal and professional goals – however they define them.
Meet three proud graduates who made the most of their Sophia Learning experience.
Jarod McCloskey - Southern New Hampshire University
This isn’t Jarod McCloskey’s first time celebrating a college degree that he earned with help from Sophia courses. In 2024, he earned his associate degree in marketing after completing multiple general education courses at Sophia Learning. But he didn’t stop there. Today, he’s the proud recipient of a Bachelor of Business Administration. He completed both degrees in just two years.
“Sophia was a total game-changer for me,” Jarod explains. “It let me move forward in my education my way and on my schedule—which, let’s be honest, is the dream.”
Right now, Jarod is excelling in his role at a promising startup. And more opportunities await. “Sophia played a huge role in helping me fast-track my future,” he says. Wherever the next step leads, Jarod is confident that he’s on a path to career growth.
Favorite course: Ancient Greek Philosophers
Sophia success tips:
When it comes to using Sophia, as with anything educational online, the best thing you can do is know your schedule and set aside time that works for you.
Don’t be shy to talk to your school advisor. Getting a little guidance can keep you on track and save you time in the long run.
Explore every way to make a degree more affordable. Take full advantage of the resources your school offers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Nikki Duncan – University of Phoenix
With help from Sophia, Nikki Duncan achieved a goal three decades in the making. More than 30 years ago, a lack of funding forced her to cut college short. She entered the workforce, raised a family and sent her kids to four-year universities. But when her job came to an unexpected end after 27 years, Nikki was inspired to restart her own college journey.
She enrolled at the University of Phoenix, where a helpful enrollment advisor told her about Sophia. “Sophia handed me a toolkit to climb what had seemed like an unclimbable mountain,” she says. “With careful planning alongside the academic advisors, I mapped out a pathway that saved me time and money.”
Today, she’s a new college graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Management – and a lot of optimism about what’s to come. “I feel proud. I feel ready,” she says. “I built new skills. I built new dreams. I built a new future. Sophia Learning helped me lay the foundation.”
Favorite course: Introduction to Psychology
Sophia success tip:
It is never too late to finish what you started. It's never too late to grab your dreams.
Adena Clark-Stevens – Florida State College at Jacksonville
Sophia has been a powerful tool to help Adena Clark-Stevens reach her goals. In 2024, she completed her high school requirements a semester early, which freed up time to focus on Sophia courses. She was able to use Sophia to fast-track her associate’s degree. Using her high school’s dual-enrollment program, she then completed the remainder of her Associate of Arts courses – all in a matter of months, and all before officially graduating from high school.
It took careful planning and some flexibility, too. For example, when one local college wouldn’t accept Sophia courses for credit, Adena did a bit more research and found a nearby school that would.
“What I loved about Sophia was the ability to take courses at my own pace,” Adena says. “I also loved that a lot of the courses were material that I was already familiar with since I was just finishing high school when I started Sophia.”
Next up for Adena: attending Florida State University. “Neither of my biological parents earned college degrees,” she says. “Now I am about to start my dream school, FSU, where I will be majoring in communications.” Adena plans to study abroad in London as part of her program, and her ultimate goal is a career in corporate communications or media. She’s also gaining real-life communications experience through her Tik Tok channel, where she talks about her unique college journey and spreads the word about Sophia.
“I am so thankful that Sophia exists and is so affordable and so accessible,” Adena says.
Favorite courses: Art History 1 and Art History 2
Sophia success tips:
Start with courses where the topic is familiar and you already have knowledge you can apply.
Make a plan. Follow that plan, but don't be afraid to change it if you can do even better by making that change.
Take control of your learning. It is YOUR education and YOUR graduation, so look at your own courses and see what you really need.
How can Sophia fit into your education journey?
Jarod, Nikki and Adena have shown us that there are many paths to pursuing a college education. What will yours look like? See how Sophia’s flexible, affordable courses can help. Start your free trial.
