Registration begins for Fall 2008 courses
April 22
Open House for Prospective PACE Education students at Parkland College
April 24
Open House for Prospective PACE Education students at Capital Area Career Center, Springfield
April 25
Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Induction
April 29
5th Anniversary Celebration Reception for first PACE graduates and PACE faculty
May 6
Open House for Prospective PACE students- Decatur
May 16
PACE Commencement Dinner for graduating seniors
Announcement of PACE Outstanding Faculty and Graduate Awards
May 17
PACE Commencement Ceremony
May 26
Millikin campus closed for Memorial Day
June 3
Open House for Prospective PACE students – Decatur (Tentative)
June 13
Admission deadline for Fall 2008
June 21
Orientation for new PACE students
June 25
Orientation for new PACE students
July 7 (week of)
Fall semester begins for PACE students
Mirinda Rothrock— Organizational Leadership at Work
There are many reasons why adults choose the PACE program to complete a degree. Mirinda Rothrock is an example of someone who finishes a bachelor’s degree not because her job demands it, but because she demands it. Earning a bachelor’s degree was a long-term goal for Mirinda---she knew it was within her to accomplish this goal, and the PACE program allowed her to do it quickly.
Mirinda started her higher education journey after graduating from Macon High School. She enrolled at Richland Community College, but had no clear plan. At one point she was guided into a medical terminology path, but soon discovered it wasn’t meant for her. Along the way, she married and started her family, and soon found herself working full-time, juggling family obligations, and attending school part-time. It took Mirinda twenty years to complete her Associate’s degree. She can clearly recall the last few years when she attended class over her lunch hour and after work.
In 2001, while completing her degree at Richland, Mirinda went through a major job change at ADM by writing and creating her own new job position of Corporate Community Engagement Manager. After earning her associate’s degree, Mirinda requested permission to enroll in the newly announced PACE program to solidify her position. She was a member of the very first class of Management and Organizational Leadership in 2003 and graduated in 2004.
In her role as ADM’s Corporate Community Engagement Manager she is the public face for ADM’s philanthropy, volunteerism, and community outreach. Part of her job involves serving on boards and committees, and representing ADM in the community. Mirinda loves her job and feels the PACE degree has added another element of professionalism to her work.
What were her particular challenges as a PACE student? The biggest challenge was dividing time between family, work, and school. As the mother of four, finding time for everyone was difficult. She says she knows her kids missed her a lot during this period. Another challenge, common to many adults in the PACE program, was striving for perfection. Mirinda may not have achieved perfection during this time, but she certainly achieved excellence.
Mirinda feels good about her PACE experience. Going into the program, she had no pre-conceived expectations---she just wanted to complete her degree. Looking back, she says she received an excellent education from Millikin, especially being in the first class of a new program, and she has high praise for the full-time Millikin faculty members. She enjoyed PACE’s participative nature and says the emphasis on team work has been beneficial. Her advice to those considering PACE is simple: “Go for it---there’s no time like the present to get your education.”
Looking at this polished public relations professional, it’s hard to believe her educational journey took her over 20 years. And like many adults, she supports a theory of lifelong learning, but for now, her pursuit of education may fall along the lines of taking a wine-tasting class. And who can blame her? After all, in her words she’s a “mother for life” and enjoys chasing after her kids, attending sporting events, and doing all things family.