Jenna Brooks on a journey toward becoming a professional librarian

Jenna Brooks, a dedicated employee of the Henrico County Public Library's Sandston Branch, is set to graduate from the University of Richmond's School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Her journey to higher education, like that of many students at SPCS, spanned more than a decade.

Brooks initially attended college after high school but left to explore other career paths. “I returned to school in my mid-20s, attending community college and pursuing an associate's degree,” she said, adding that she worked several jobs over the next 10 years before settling into her current role at the library.

Her decision to return to school for a bachelor’s degree five years into her library career stemmed from a desire to advance professionally. “After working in the public library for five years, I decided to pursue the path of librarianship, which requires a master’s degree,” Brooks explained. “However, first, I would need to complete my bachelor’s degree.”

She chose to pursue her degree at SPCS specifically because of its focus on adult learners. “I was searching for a program designed for adult students returning to education after an absence,” she said. “Interactions with my advisor, Tammy Alexander, became the deciding factor. She made me feel that SPCS and the University of Richmond were interested in me as a person, not just an accumulation of credits on a page.”

Balancing work and school presented challenges, particularly during her first semester. “The first semester, balancing my school obligations while working full-time was a bit of a juggling act,” Brooks admitted. “More than once, I questioned the sanity of returning to school after a decade, but I found my balance and have never looked back or regretted my decision.”

Her studies at UR, however, were enriched by the professors she encountered. “Professor Elisabeth Wray has had the most impact on my University of Richmond experience,” Brooks recalled. “I always looked forward to her classes because I knew she would still be able to teach me something new or provide a fresh perspective.”

Brooks’ experience as an SPCS student fostered personal growth. “I have learned that I can accomplish any expectations that I set for myself,” she said. “And that working under the pressure of a deadline sometimes is just the push that I need to produce my best work.”

As she graduates, Brooks will miss the strong sense of community fostered at SPCS. “Even as a predominantly virtual student, I always felt a sense of camaraderie with my classmates,” she noted and added, “SPCS does a great job of ensuring that its students’ experiences are just as inclusive as those of traditional undergraduates.”

Looking ahead, Brooks plans a brief respite before applying to master's degree programs in library science in the fall of 2025. Her graduation, she noted, represents a significant personal achievement. “Graduating means so much to me, because first and foremost, I did this more for myself. This was something I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of doing,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of the time I spent at the University of Richmond, what I learned, and the work that I produced.”