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Kelly Galanis '98 '00 G '01 G'24
Update: Kelly graduated with her EdD in Educational Leadership on May 11, 2024. Within each of our Bay Path community members is an inspirational story of perseverance and strength, and we are honored to share them. This narrative appeared on social media as part of Bay Path's #MyPath series.
"In 2000, I got my associate's and bachelor's degrees in legal studies at Bay Path. I got a job right away in a great company. It lasted six weeks because I hated it. I went back to the career center and spotted something right at Bay Path for an admissions counselor. I had an interview, and they hired me. Thanks to this job, I found my passion, higher education, and I have never left the field.
"For the next four years, I spent my time going around the New England and New York City area recruiting students to attend this very school that I went to. At that same time, I enrolled in Bay Path's first-ever Master's program, the communications and information management master's. I was part of that first class, which ultimately led me to be the first to have three consecutive degrees at Bay Path.
"In 2013, I started to go for my doctorate at another school. But it just never felt right. I felt like a small fish in a big pond. We didn't get a lot of instruction on how to do things. They just expected us to know how to do it. And then we'd get our papers back and have to do it over cause it wasn't right. I got about two years through it and realized it wasn't going to work. So I took a long break from school.
"And then, about a year ago, I realized Bay Path had a doctor of education program for students who had completed work prior at another institution. I applied, and I got in, and they took all my credits, and I am expected to graduate with my EdD next May, and I'm very excited! I will now have four Bay Path degrees, which is pretty cool!
"The minute I started the program at Bay Path, we were assigned a writing coach. We had an advisor right off the bat who would let us know what we needed to do and helped us stay on a timeline. If we have questions or are confused about something, they listen and help us. I feel comfortable, and the conversation flows a lot easier. Classmates understand one another, and we build much more rapport. We meet frequently to talk about how things are going and support one another, which is fantastic.
"And also, right before I started my doctorate, I applied and got a graduate assistantship at Bay Path. And I'm also president of Women in Philanthropy, a volunteer organization for my career. I have to prioritize good time management and be dedicated and motivated to do all of this. I also have a small but very supportive family.
"My advice for incoming students: Don't be shy. Talk to people, and get involved. If you are overwhelmed, let someone know, they will help you. Go be yourself and have confidence and find friends and laugh and don't take it too seriously, because it's going to go by really fast, and if you blink, you'll miss it." - Kelly Galanis '98 '00 G '01 G'24 #MyPath