With both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree earned through Penn State World Campus, Leah Carraway-Justice has built a career at Penn State leading organizational change and transformation.
Her education pathway was not straightforward. She originally began her bachelor’s degree at another college, but after facing setbacks and financial challenges, she took a break from school and began a career in cosmetology.
During her years as a cosmetology teacher, Carraway-Justice felt it was the right moment to finish her bachelor’s degree and expand her knowledge, which led her to enroll in Penn State World Campus.
Carraway-Justice completed her Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Employment Relations in 2017 and went on to earn her Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change in 2020, both through Penn State World Campus. She now leads organizational change efforts at Penn State, using her education to strengthen teams and improve workplace culture.
Read more in the Q&A below about Carraway-Justice’s journey of resilience, from major setbacks to academic and career success.
What inspired you to return to school and pursue your bachelor’s degree through Penn State World Campus?
I had started college at a university in Virginia, but following a family tragedy, my family could no longer afford out-of-state tuition, and I had to step away from school.
I went on to build a career in cosmetology and loved teaching it, but I eventually realized that if I wanted to grow beyond the role of regional director, I needed to strengthen my credentials.
That’s when I decided to enroll as a part-time student through Penn State World Campus. When I later found out my cosmetology campus was going to close, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.
I switched from part-time to full-time enrollment, majoring in labor and employment relations with a minor in organizational leadership, so I could finish my bachelor’s degree faster and prepare for a new career. Three years after earning my bachelor’s degree, I went on to earn my master’s through Penn State World Campus, as well.
What did you take away from your experience as an online learner?
I learned how to manage life events better, juggle deadlines, and ask for support when I needed it. My confidence grew by networking and working in groups by encouraging engagement and empowering others.
I’ve learned that doing hard work, being a mother, working full-time, being a wife, and chasing my dreams are all possible with the right level of dedication and support.
Success, to me, is the ability to evolve, to continuously learn and mature.
In what ways did your online learning experience serve as both a lifeline and a launchpad for you?
My online learning experience was a lifeline because it allowed me to change my life and overcome hardship. It showed me that earning another degree was possible, no matter how much I already had on my plate.
It was also a launchpad for my career by placing me on a strong professional path and showing me that my skills were valuable beyond the classroom. Now, working at Penn State after graduating, I am able to bring real-world experience into the projects I lead. My degrees opened doors to leadership roles at Penn State, where I work in project and change management.
How has your Penn State education helped you make an impact in your community?
I’ve been able to give back through committees and alumni groups, mentoring students and encouraging women — especially those with full plates like mine — to pursue their goals. I’ve shown my daughters what chasing your dreams looks like. I never stopped and still won’t stop. I’m still learning, still seeking to better myself, and still empowering those around me.
This Q&A spotlight is part of “40k alumni: 40 stories celebrating 40,000 graduates,” a series marking the milestone of more than 40,000 Penn Staters earning their degrees online through Penn State World Campus.