Morgan Haymaker

Job Title: Lab Manager

Office/Department/Unit: Whitehead Lab/Biological sciences

Institution Transferred From: US Military, Santa Rosa Junior College, Southern New Hampshire University, Southwestern Oregon Community College

Institution Transferred To: Oregon State University

Biggest Challenge: I was active duty military my late teens and early 20's but was devoted to my higher education. I was a first generation student and never got consistent advise from academic advisors every time I was forced to transfer due to a military move. Because of this I took a lot of classes that never counted towards my degree. My degree was 180 credits and I graduated with over 270 credits. When I finally was able to go to school full time, I mapped out my degree plan and all the classes I would be taking over the next few years and made it happen. I even graduated a semester "early". I also was strong in advocating for myself. I would contact department heads to get my transfer credits applied to classes or make other calls to offices to jump administrative hurdles that can often hold up transfer students. 

Advice: Take charge of your degree plan and advocate for yourself. Don't be scared to make phone calls.