While Marisa Kelly was helping military veterans secure a college education, she was working her own degree. Kelly was among 849 students who earned a degree at Northwestern State University’s Fall Commencement Exercises.

Kelly, a resident of Natchitoches, earned her degree through the Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana (CALL) Program.

“I first went to college 10 years ago, but didn’t take it seriously,” said Kelly, who is an Administrative Coordinator 3 and Veterans Affairs certifying official at Northwestern State. Kelly took nine hours a semester, all of them online except for math classes. This allowed her to do her classwork at night and on weekends. She earned her associate degree in 2010. Kelly plans to enter Northwestern State’s master’s program in student affairs in higher education.

Kelly works in the Northwestern State’s Office of the Registrar, helping veterans and active duty personnel sign up for classes and receive all benefits they are eligible to receive. In addition to her work at NSU, Kelly is a volunteer with CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, a nonprofit network supporting and promoting court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.

The CALL program is designed for the adult student to adapt to specific interests, backgrounds, time limitations and ultimate career goals. It is especially appropriate for mature adults with a clear focus and desire to pursue a distinct course of study based upon educational and work experiences.

The CALL degree programs may be completed online under the “fast- track” method or in a regular semester format.  CALL fast track courses are offered in four and eight-week sessions which allow the student to focus on one or two courses at a time.

Degree credit may be earned through regular and accelerated online courses taken with Northwestern State; transfer credit; challenge tests; CLEP tests; military credit; Prior Learning Assessment (life, work, or volunteer experience determined to be college level learning); credit from other training or educational pursuits and other related activities.

Over the past five years, more than 400 students have earned degrees at Northwestern State through CALL.