Sgt. Maj. Michelle Tyson joined the military because her father, grandfather, and many of her uncles served.
“I wanted to follow in their footsteps and serve my country,” she said.
Tyson has served 25 years in the U.S. Army and recently became a Penn State grad while continuing her service.
She is one of twelve Army sergeants major who received their master’s degrees in education during the summer commencement through a fellowship program with the U.S. Army and Penn State World Campus.
A master’s degree in education
The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Fellowship program provides scholarships for up to 15 sergeants major to enroll in the online Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, which is offered in partnership with the College of Education at Penn State. Service members complete the program in one year at the Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence at Fort Bliss, Texas.
When the fellows graduate, they teach the next Sergeants Major Course, which prepares the military’s future leaders with the necessary skills for success on and off the battlefield while completing college credit.
An opportunity to serve
Tyson decided to pursue a master’s degree in education after her husband, whom she served with for 20 years, retired from the military.
“The Sergeant Major Academy fellowship program was an opportunity for me to continue to serve the Army, contribute to the development of our future leaders, and pursue my education,” she said. “This has been an extremely rewarding experience. It was challenging, but I have learned so much.”
Tyson has taken distance education courses for nearly 15 years. She praised the quality of the online Penn State program.
“The instructors are welcoming, approachable, and true subject matter experts,” she said.
Pursuing a passion for teaching
Throughout his 26 years of service in the Army, Sgt. Maj. Daniel S. Venton has worked with many service members. Now, he has the opportunity to teach the next generation of the U.S. Army as an instructor facilitator at the Sergeants Major Academy.
“As a soldier in the Army, I’ve always kind of had a feeling that I wanted to be a teacher, but didn’t know how to go about it,” Venton said.
He joined the fellowship program to expand his interest in teaching.
“I enrolled in the fellowship program to explore a new direction in my career and pursue my longstanding passion for teaching,” he said.
Venton appreciated the ability to pursue a Penn State master’s degree without much interruption in his life.
“The program has been thoughtfully designed to provide a pathway for me to reach one of my longtime goals,” he said. “The staff and faculty are exceptional, offering both support and expertise that really helped enhance my experience.”
After graduation, Venton plans to teach and hopes to continue a career in education after retiring from his military service.
About Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years, with a comprehensive portfolio of more than 200 degrees and certificates.
For military learners, Penn State offers a variety of tailored support services, including financial aid and advising.
Learn more about the opportunities for military-affiliated students offered through Penn State World Campus.
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