The economy’s downturn in 2008 sent a lot of workers back to school in search of credentials with which they could find a more secure and well-paying job. Lisa Houk, currently a sophomore Social Work major, was one of them.

In November of 2008, Lisa lost her office job, prompting her to investigate other occupational opportunities. “About four months after I got laid off,” she explains, “I started getting serious about going back to school. I had many reasons. I hated office work, and I wasn’t making an impact on anyone’s life on a daily basis. I felt led to do something that would change peoples’ lives.”

Lisa, who has been out of high school for more than 20 years, was apprehensive about going to a school as a “non-traditional” student.
“When I first came to campus, I was a nervous wreck,” she confesses. “I felt kind of isolated and weird the first couple of weeks. But that was because of me, my hang-ups - it had nothing to do with the students. I later realized that everyone is very accepting here. Since then, I’ve developed a lot of really good friendships with students and professors.”

Of course, going back to school has not been easy.
“Pressures for me are different than most of the kids on campus,” Lisa says. “I still have household finances to take care of, a husband, a broader life.” Also, Lisa, keeps busy by volunteering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. With a jam-packed schedule, attending to school work can be a challenge.

Altogether, though, she’s has found Malone to be an encouraging place.
“America’s got this bleak picture of college, especially with what you see in public universities,” she says. “You see the character of people, and it’s scary. Here, though, there are so many kids who are friendly, open, and devoted to God, I’m sometimes surprised by their insights. I feel sure that their future, and mine as well, is going to be in good hands.”