Kevin Martin found guidance to pursue his goals

For Kevin Martin, returning to college was never about following a traditional path. It was about finding the resources and support system he needed to achieve his life and career goals.

Martin, a human services student in the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, began his journey in 2022. Like many adult learners, he was navigating work, family responsibilities and community involvement while pursuing his degree. He also brought prior college experience and multiple associate degrees but needed guidance to move forward efficiently.

That guidance came through the ACCESS Center.

Martin first connected with the center entirely by chance. He had come to campus to pick up a textbook after finding inaccurate bookstore hours online, a lingering frustration from the constantly changing schedules during and after the pandemic. Looking for someone who could point him in the right direction — or simply listen — he wandered into a new student orientation event and struck up a conversation with ACCESS Center director Michelle Parnell.

That unexpected exchange soon became a turning point.

“Our relationship just blossomed from there,” Martin said. “She’s awesome at her job and really cares when her students succeed.”

Looking back, Martin laughs at the unlikely circumstances that brought them together. A frustrating trip to campus ultimately led him to one of his most important advocates at the university.

Finding a purposeful degree plan

Through the ACCESS Center, Martin found not only direction but clarity. When he first began exploring his options, he planned to pursue a degree in psychology. Working closely with Parnell helped him identify a path that better aligned with his academic background and career goals.

Martin entered the university with associate degrees in human services and drug and alcohol counseling from Delaware Technical Community College. As they reviewed his previous coursework and discussed his interest in working with children and helping others, Parnell walked him through the available degree options.

“She broke down the degrees and helped me see what made the most sense,” he said. “That guidance mattered.”

Based on his existing credits, Parnell suggested human services, a program that built on his prior studies and allowed him to complete his bachelor’s degree more efficiently. While psychology was still an option, Martin realized human services offered a more direct route to the work he hoped to do.

“When she explained that I could finish this degree sooner and it was very similar to what I wanted to do anyway, I thought, ‘I’ll go that route,’” he said.

Relationships made the difference

For Martin, the ACCESS Center’s value extends beyond academic advising. The personalized, relationship-based approach became one of the most meaningful parts of his experience.

“The thing I appreciate the most is the relationship that I built,” he said. “She’s very personable and easy to talk to. That made all the difference.”

What could have been a confusing academic decision became a clear and confident choice thanks to guidance tailored to his goals, experience and aspirations.

That connection continued to shape Martin’s experience at UD. Through conversations, course recommendations and introductions to faculty, he expanded his academic interests and developed relationships that extended beyond the classroom.

“The relationships I’ve built have opened doors,” he said.

Connections at UD opened new doors

Martin credits Parnell with helping him build connections across the university. With her encouragement, he explored courses he might not have otherwise considered and formed relationships with professors that continued long after classes ended.

At a Wilmington Public Library event featuring Frederika Newton, widow and legacy steward of Dr. Huey P. Newton, Martin unexpectedly crossed paths with UD assistant professor Alicia Fontnette, whom he had known only through an online course. Their warm conversation served as a reminder that the connections he has made through UD extend well beyond the classroom.

Those experiences have influenced Martin’s plans. In addition to completing his bachelor’s degree and writing a book, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Africana Studies, a field that reflects both his interests and lived experiences. Finding an area of study with such personal meaning has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his educational journey.

Focused on his goals

As an adult learner managing multiple commitments, Martin’s path to a degree looks different from that of a traditional student. He takes one class at a time, a pace that fits his schedule while allowing him to stay fully engaged with his coursework. In addition to his studies, he works two full-time jobs, runs a business and remains active as a mentor and volunteer in his community.

Despite those demands, he has continued making steady progress toward completing his degree, driven by a sense of purpose and a clear vision for what comes next.

“It’s never too late,” he said. “I’ll be 52 this year, and I’m finishing up another degree. You just have to take the time to do it. People always say they don’t have time, but if it matters to you, you can make the time. Slow and steady wins the race.”