Last month we shared with you the expansion of our bachelor’s degree completion program which gives students continued opportunity to finish their undergraduate program no matter how long it’s been or how many credits are needed. This month, we are delighted to spotlight alum Kevin Dimond who recently returned to NDNU to complete his degree through this program after a 10+ year hiatus.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kevin attended Catholic institutions his whole life, including St. Gregory School in San Mateo and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. A CRM architecture specialist, he, his wife and two children live in Elk Grove, California, where he works as a Salesforce consultant.

Please share with us your journey toward getting a bachelor’s degree and how you ended up at Notre Dame de Namur University:

After high school, I went to Sonoma State University, but came home after a year and started classes at Cañada College and the College of San Mateo while working full-time at IBM, which began my 17-year career in the tech industry.  At the rate of taking one or two classes at a time, it became clear that it was going to be years before I finished my bachelor’s degree. My mother suggested I apply to NDNU, which offered evening classes nearby. The structured schedule of full-time coursework and nighttime classes from 6pm-10pm worked for me. I was all set to graduate in 2009, but unfortunately, couldn’t complete my last class due to illness.

For various reasons – among them, the arrival of my two children and the demands of the rapidly growing tech industry – I didn’t make it back to finish although the university continued to reach out. What ultimately led me to returning to NDNU was a desire to set a good example for my children. Last year, I contacted the then-Interim Dean for the School of Business and Management, who helped me make arrangements to complete my coursework. I ended up taking Religions of the World taught by Professor Cassie Lipowitz, a recent recipient of the George Keller Teaching Award. She was an incredible instructor and brought so much depth and context to my understanding of Catholicism and other faiths.

What did you like best about your experience at NDNU? 

I really like the people and the curriculum, especially in the business school. The 2008 downturn occurred while I was going to NDNU full-time at night; it was fascinating to be taking economics and accounting classes at that same time; my professors had deep insight into what was really happening.

I also like the close-knit community. Everyone wants to help; there’s a lot of collaboration behind the scenes. While I have not directly participated, the mentorship program is a great program that is important to students.

Do you have any advice for students who are thinking about returning to school to finish their degree(s)?

Don’t hesitate. Do it for yourself and  sign up for your classes right away. When I finally received my bachelor’s degree, it felt like a ton of bricks fell off my shoulders. Now I’m thinking about going for my master’s degree, which by the way, is another great thing about NDNU – you don’t have to break the bank to get a premier education.

What about the Hallmarks? Did any of them stand out for you during your time at NDNU?

I have to say that I was very much aware of the Hallmarks while I was at NDNU. In fact, part of the reason why I appreciate the university so much is because of its values. They matter. The Hallmarks that address dignity and sacredness of each person, the commitment to community service and embrace of the gift of diversity really resonate for me.