Graduates from Penn’s Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Program Find a Passion for Lifelong Learning

As part of this year’s graduation season, students from the University of Pennsylvania's LPS Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) program presented at the inaugural Senior Colloquium about how their experiences in the program transformed their careers and their lives. It was an inspiring reminder of the power and potential of online learning to help students learn in ways that meet their individual needs, chart their own pathways, and achieve their goals. We are honored to share the stories of two BAAS students who presented at the event.  

After a family emergency interrupted Beth Jamieson’s college coursework, she went on to become the Assistant Director of a nonprofit focusing on children's theater called the Young Starr's Theatre Company and then continued a career in the creative arts in Philadelphia. Through Penn’s BAAS program, Beth was able to finish her liberal arts degree in Creative Studies with a focus on Arts Administration, and certificates in Professional Writing and Creative Writing. Her studies at Penn have helped Beth realize her own capabilities and strengthened her abilities to think critically. She especially enjoyed her course in Writing about Literature and Culture which helped hone her skills as a peer reviewer.  

After her daughter graduated from college, Kirsten Calloway decided to pursue her own goals of obtaining a bachelor’s degree through the BAAS program. Kirsten developed a deep passion for Positive Psychology through her concentration in Individualized Studies and was able to integrate positive psychology principles throughout her Senior Portfolio. As someone working in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Kirsten found that she was able to immediately apply concepts from her coursework into her work. She also felt connected and supported by the BAAS community of faculty, staff, and students. 

As part of their experiences in the BAAS program, all students at this year’s Senior Colloquium now consider themselves to be lifelong learners, and are interested in furthering their education beyond the baccalaureate level. Their advice to prospective students would be to pursue this program holistically by considering how each course fits into their personal growth and career goals. They also suggest being proactive about forming relationships with instructors and classmates.  

Congratulations to all of this year’s BAAS graduates as they celebrate a new milestone on their personal and professional journeys.