Scott Johnson
Global Distribution Manager
Franklin Electric Company

Scott Johnson went to college for two years immediately after graduating from high school in the early 1970s. He earned above-average grades, but grew impatient and eventually quit college to work full time. 

But in his mid-forties, Scott took stock of his life. He identified one important goal he had failed to achieve—a college education. “I had a solid career, but I knew I needed to finish what I’d left unfinished,” he says. “I did this for myself, not for career advancement.”

Scott looked into three adult degree programs and found that only EXCEL gave him a clear road map of what lay ahead. “Only the EXCEL staff took time to evaluate my transcript carefully and specify exactly what I would need to do to get my degree. I was very impressed with their preparation.” 

Going to college was different the second time around. “The difference was in me,” Scott says. “At my age, it’s a lot more important to me to be able to look in the mirror and know that I’m doing my best. I haven’t missed a class or an assignment. EXCEL has boosted my confidence in my ability to meet challenging goals. I feel better about myself. I was always a bit sensitive about not having a degree because all my colleagues have degrees.” 

Classes were relevant, with no fluff. “We’ve had excellent instructors, many of them business people themselves,” says Scott. “The perspectives of my fellow classmates opened me to new outlooks and interpretations, which led to some very meaningful discussions and several good arguments.” 

Scott hopes his returning to college in middle age will be a good example to his son of the importance of setting and meeting goals. “If you make a mistake,” Scott says, “it’s seldom too late to correct it.”

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