For Salukis Sarah and James Anderson, time doesn’t stand still. It can’t.
The St. Louis couple, who have twin 20-month-old boys and a 3-year old daughter, are not only raising three young children and working full time, they continued their education through Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Online and Extended Campus program.
The couple walked across the Banterra Center stage during Dec. 13 commencement exercises. James earned his bachelor’s degree in aviation management from the School of Aviation. Sarah, meanwhile, was eligible to participate as she has one final course next spring to earn a master’s degree in quality engineering and management from the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics.
“The days are long, and the nights are short with juggling school and a family,” James said. “But we have each other, and we work great together. And that’s what pushed us to achieve our goals. We’re greater together than as individuals, and with our camaraderie, we can do great things.”
He started in the aviation management program August 2024 to follow his passion of working as an aircraft mechanic after graduating from an air frame and power plant school and working at United States Steel as an electrician. He started investing in real estate in his early 20s to help fund his education.
Busy times
A quality assurance engineer specializing in deviation management with Thermo Fisher Scientific, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in St. Louis, Sarah started the master’s program in fall 2022 when the couple’s daughter, Aurelia, was 8 months old. She became pregnant with twins Julian and Jericho in fall 2023 while taking two of her courses.
“Doing homework and studying for exams was challenging while having a toddler, having a high-risk twin pregnancy and going to work full time for a large biopharmaceutical CDMO,” she said. “I did have to take a year off of school in 2024 after the birth of my sons.
“The only way I got through was determination, work flexibility and support from my husband — and quite a bit of caffeine prior to getting pregnant with my twins. As much as my husband has going on, he always finds time to support me. I couldn't have done it without my husband’s and my mother’s support.
“My advice to any working parent pursuing education is to have a strong support system. Also, did I mention caffeine?”
Online education provides flexibility
Sarah and James each said SIU’s online course offerings provided the flexibility needed for the family. Sarah, a 2016 biology graduate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said her husband’s encouragement to pursue higher education related to her job and a few Google searches landed her at SIU Carbondale. Once Sarah saw the curricula, she contacted then-QEM program director Julie Dunston (now associate provost for academic programs) and decided to pursue the opportunity.
She plans to use the information she’s learned to pursue future quality managerial positions.
“This program applies directly to my current position as a quality assurance engineer, specializing in deviation management,” Sarah said. “The Lean Six Sigma methodology studies included in the program have provided me with deeper insights into quality engineering and process improvement.”
Gaining more education is never wrong, Sarah said.
“The professional landscape changes constantly, so this means we all must constantly learn new skills and concepts,” she said. “I am so proud to be able to participate in this ceremony alongside my husband and the fact our kids will get to witness and remember this. I can only hope this encourages them to do the same – maybe even be future Salukis!”
