When Andrew Hall enrolled in UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program, he knew he was finally ready to finish what he started years ago.
“I grew up in a family where education was always really important,” Hall said. “My grandmother was a reading specialist who taught me how to read at a very early age, and my dad worked at a small college. School has always been a big part of our identity.”
That lifelong appreciation for learning made his decision to return to school a deeply personal one, but not necessarily an easy one. His path forward became even more impactful when he was selected as the recipient of the Guttman Public Service Scholarship, established by longtime UVA professor, Bob Guttman, to support students in the school’s online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary studies (BIS) program.
Curious about completing your degree online?
Explore the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Rediscovering a Lifelong Commitment to Learning
Hall grew up in Wilson, North Carolina. Like many adult learners, life’s circumstances changed the future he and his family may have expected for him. After attending a year of college in Mississippi, he returned home and took classes at a local community college while helping his family as his dad battled health issues. He said, “we were kind of in a reactive mode as a family, and I lost my momentum.”
He spent several years working in the food service industry and as a baker before moving to Boone, North Carolina, where he eventually took a position at a local food bank nonprofit. Throughout this time, the thought of completing his degree was always on his mind.
“I was looking to challenge myself. Without a degree, I knew my options would be limited. My mother sent me information about UVA’s SCPS programs. I looked at the program and thought, ‘I couldn’t have designed a better one if I tried.’ It seemed made for people like me.”
Andrew Hall, UVA Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Student
Finding Community and Confidence at UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Now studying history and politics at the School, Hall expects to finish his degree within the next year. What he’s found most rewarding about the program is the classroom community. “The quality of the class discussions and the perspectives of my fellow classmates are really special,” he said. “We’re a very diverse group: veterans, teachers, people in their 60s and 70s, and people who are 22. Some are from Virginia, others from China or South Korea. Everyone brings something different.”
He also credits his instructors with helping him develop his skills. “My writing seminar with Dr. Seth Horton was a game-changer,” he said. “It made me a much better writer. I gained a lot of confidence that’s served me well throughout my time at SCPS.” His World War I and II courses also stand out as memorable, causing him to think more critically about those conflicts and broadening his understanding of world history.
Strengthening His Educational Journey with the Guttman Public Service Scholarship
Balancing full-time work and school hasn’t been easy, but receiving the Guttman Public Service Scholarship has helped Hall focus on what matters most. “It’s humbling because I know there are so many other students who are deserving,” he said. “But I’m incredibly grateful. Working in the nonprofit space while going back to school, affordability is a big concern. The scholarship alleviates a lot of pressure and allows me to stay focused on my studies.”
The scholarship gives Hall the opportunity to travel to Charlottesville for research to deepen his learning experience. “I plan to visit the Special Collections Library at UVA when it’s time for my capstone project,” he said. “Being able to do that kind of research in person means a lot.”
Next semester Hall will take Professor Guttman’s American Political Development class, a fitting milestone in his journey, and a full-circle connection to the professor whose scholarship helped make his education journey more achievable.
“Adult learners need financial assistance as much as someone who’s 19. Without it, I don’t know if I could finish as quickly or give my coursework the full attention it deserves. This scholarship really affirms that we belong here; we’re part of the UVA community and we can make meaningful contributions.”
Andrew Hall, UVA Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Student
Looking to the Future: A Family Legacy and a Personal Goal
For Hall, earning his degree is about more than a credential, it’s a tribute to his family’s educational legacy. “Academics have always been a big part of my family’s culture,” he said. “My grandmother was the first in her family to go to college, and I know she’d be proud. Completing my degree is going to be a moment of celebration for me, my family, and my fiancée.”
Professionally, Hall hopes his UVA degree will open new doors, possibly even leading to graduate or law school. “I’d like to apply to law school,” he said. “It’s something I’ve thought about for a long time, but now I feel more confident in my abilities. The program has helped me understand political systems, strengthened my writing, and shown me that it’s achievable.”
As he nears the end of his program, Hall finds himself reflecting on how far he’s come, and what he’s learned about himself along the way. “I’ve been surprised by how well I can manage school and work,” he said. “I think I underestimated my own focus and ability to keep pushing forward.”
Hall shared this advice for others considering returning to school: “You can do it. It’s not easy, but nothing that’s truly worth it is easy. Being an adult learner can actually be an advantage since we bring life experience and a deeper perspective to the classroom. It’s an opportunity to grow and become a better, more thoughtful person.”