UA Wayne College Adult Student Finds Success through Determination, Flexibility and Family Support

Sarah Winstead, 34, began her post-secondary journey at The University of Akron Wayne College immediately after high school, initially pursuing a degree in art education. She transitioned to the main campus to continue with her art courses. Despite her enthusiasm, she soon realized that this path wasn’t the perfect fit. In 2014, Sarah decided to leave college to pursue another calling—cooking—and managed a local ice cream shop.

Nine years after leaving, Sarah returned to UA Wayne. To her surprise, she discovered she had accumulated enough credits to earn an Associate of Arts degree. Motivated by this achievement, she began working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Supervision and, at the beginning of 2025, switched her focus to General Studies. “The General Studies degree allowed me to use my focus areas (art, communication, education) and credits I’d already earned to attain a four-year degree,” she explained.

Sarah’s decision to return to college as an adult was not only for herself but also for her family. “I’ve always loved learning, and I wanted to finish something I started over 15 years ago. I wanted to achieve this for myself and for my three daughters. If I can do this, they can do anything they set their minds to,” she said. As a first-generation college student, Sarah is also making her parents proud as she prepares to complete the journey she began years ago.

Flexible online courses and a supportive family have helped Sarah balance her academic, personal, and professional responsibilities. She candidly shares, “Focusing on the end goal and choosing to prioritize my schoolwork over TV or other distractions has been helpful. I still have time to do things I love, but it’s about balance.” Learning to manage her time differently has been a key factor in her success. 

For Sarah, one of the greatest advantages of being a UA Wayne student is proximity. “I absolutely loved main campus, but it wasn’t practical for me to drive there for questions or to do research for a project. I’m lucky to have an amazing regional campus a short drive from home,” she said. Sarah’s favorite aspects of UA Wayne include its welcoming library, the helpfulness of the staff and advisors, and the supportive academic resources that have kept her on track. She adds, “MARRs Cafe on campus is also a huge bonus—their cheesecake is life-changing!”

Now, Sarah is on the verge of achieving her goal: she will graduate in December of this year. “I am so excited to earn a four-year degree! I know I have a lot of lived experience and knowledge, but it will feel more official,” she said. While she is more than happy in her current job, earning her degree gives her greater confidence and inspires her to continue learning. Sarah has already set her sights on a master’s degree—after a well-deserved break.

The General Studies degree program at UA Wayne is tailored for students with diverse educational backgrounds and interests that don’t fit within a single traditional program. It allows students to explore a range of academic subjects with flexibility and a generous number of free electives. This is an excellent pathway for individuals who have accumulated significant college credits but have yet to find a clear route to graduation.

Find out more about UA Wayne’s flexible pathways and how we can help you complete your degree or start your educational journey: wayne.uakron.edu/academics-majors.