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Wilkes University Student Jason Karlavige Wins Outstanding Adult Learner Award

Wilkes-Barre, PA (04/13/2018) — Contact information: Gabrielle D'Amico, director of communications, gabrielle.damico@wilkes.edu, 570-408-4510

Jason Karlavige of Dickson City, Pa., received the 2018 Outstanding Adult Learner Award for Wilkes University at the Luzerne County Council on Adult Higher Education dinner on March 20, 2018.

"I was surprised to have been chosen for the award. There are several individuals who were capable of receiving this award and it feels great to be able to represent Wilkes and every adult learner attending our campus," Karlavige said. "It's gratifying any time you're recognized for the hard work and effort you invest towards a goal."

Karlavige began his educational journey as a traditional college student at East Stroudsburg University in 2009, but he left after his third semester. The following summer, he took a job picking up and cleaning dorm room refrigerators from college campuses. This was his first of many jobs with no career path.

"I realized there were minimal opportunities without a college degree. In 2014, I decided to attend Luzerne County Community College for broadcast communications," Karlavige said. "After graduating from LCCC in 2016, I was drawn to the integrative media department at Wilkes University and enrolled for the Fall 2016 semester."

Karlavige currently works as a supervisor at UPS in Scranton as well as a camera operator for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders and credits his employer for the assistance and flexibility given to him to pursue his degree. His family and girlfriend, Darcy Huff, also an adult learner at Wilkes, as well as professors and industry professionals, support him and his education as well. Huff nominated him for the adult learner award.

"I give a lot of credit to every faculty member within the integrative media department, including Eric Ruggiero, the department chair," he said. "I showed up at Eric's office in August before the Fall 2016 semester with uncertainty as to which direction to take here at Wilkes. He's provided tremendous guidance and always encourages me to pursue opportunities I believe in. The long-term goal is to move up within a marketing or software agency while programming websites and web applications."

Karlavige maintains a 3.92 GPA, was recommended by his advisor, associate professor Ruggiero, for the Kirby Scholar program and was awarded the Lee A. Namey Scholarship. He juggles a full-time job and being a full-time student by staying organized. He says it is essential to handle the balance.

"I rely on Google Calendar to organize each day and focus on important tasks during the available time outside of class and work," he said. "The most difficult aspect of being back in school is being out of the house from the early morning until after work around 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Commuting straight from school to work in Scranton allows only a little time throughout the day to handle other responsibilities outside of school and work, including assignments for school."

Karlavige wasn't always certain that he wanted to be a web developer and at one point believed school was no longer within reach. However, the jobs he worked where a career "wasn't in reach" helped him realized a degree was an opportunity to take a different path.

"The journey isn't easy and you'll meet challenges along the way," he said. "But making the commitment and taking the initiative to enroll back in school will reap with rewards from the experiences inside and outside the classroom."

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 43 bachelor's degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.