October 7, 2020
Global Campus student wins UPCEA Outstanding Student award
Crystal Ritz, an online student in business administration with a minor in management, has been named the 2020 University and Professional Continuing Education Association Central Region Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student award winner. The award is designed to honor the achievement of excellence in pursuit of the winner's educational goals.
"K-State online students are such hardworking individuals," said Karen Pedersen, dean of Global Campus. "I'm so pleased that Crystal's educational journey and achievements were recognized by this professional association."
Ritz was nominated for the award based on her track record as a model student and her 20-year military career working as a medic and caring for soldiers and their families. She earned her associate degree and began the business administration program at K-State while serving in the military. As she finishes her bachelor's degree and begins to look for full-time civilian employment, Ritz hopes to find a career where she can use her passion for health care management.
"As an active-duty service member earning her degree, Crystal's journey has been anything but smooth," said Rebecca Dale, her academic advisor at Global Campus and one of several who supported Ritz for the award. "She has taken the steps to better herself and improve her chances of civilian employment after the Army by earning this degree. I have no doubt she will continue to be a top-performing student at K-State."
This year's UPCEA Central Region conference was conducted virtually Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The association exists to provide support to its members through professional networking opportunities, best-practice insights and publications.