A second chance at education

Convinced at a young age that higher education was for scholarship-eligible students or students who knew what they wanted out of life, Michael Reaves ’23, ’25 put college on hold and joined the U.S. Navy.  

Later as a married father of three, Reaves found himself wanting to provide all he could for his family, while modeling the value of education to his children. Inspired by these goals, Reaves decided to give higher education a chance.

His first step was community college, where he ultimately earned two associate degrees. Empowered by this achievement, Reaves enrolled at a four-year institution to earn his bachelor’s degree, but tuition proved to be a barrier.

“At that point, I learned that my boss was attending the University of Redlands, so I contacted Assistant Director of Enrollment Perla Ramos,” Reaves said. “From there, the process fell into place, and my educational path took a new direction.”

That new direction led Reaves to the transformative decision of completing his Bachelor of Science in Business degree through the School of Business & Society. While working full-time in surveillance for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Reaves understood this new endeavor would demand significant personal sacrifices and a temporary absence from some family events, but he was confident the decision was ultimately for the best.

“While this journey has been challenging and demanding, my sacrifices have strengthened me and reinforced my commitment to achieving my goals,” Reaves said about completing his undergraduate degree. He is now looking ahead to completing the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program in 2025.

At Redlands, Reaves said he found support from faculty and staff and feels the welcoming classrooms “foster a positive learning environment,” that makes students feel valued and connected.

The program is designed with working professionals in mind. Reaves said he found the coursework manageable and not disruptive to his home life. Balancing his studies with family time was a “crucial part” of being a working parent, he said.

“The sense of community distinguishes Redlands from other institutions,” Reaves said. “Redlands has profoundly impacted my career by opening doors that were previously closed to me. Initially, I didn't realize how essential a degree could be for my professional development. The education I received helped me build the skills and confidence needed to advance in my career.

“On a personal level, my journey at Redlands inspired me to encourage my wife to return to college as well,” Reaves continued. “This decision ultimately motivated our oldest daughter to pursue higher education. Seeing how this experience has created a ripple effect within my family is fantastic.”

Learn more about the School of Business & Society and its programs.