Rachel McIntosh had started and stopped college several times over the years. In 2023, she began her college degree quest again – this time with a clear inspiration.
“I decided to take away the power from anyone who could tell me, ‘No,’ simply because I lacked a degree,” she said.
The Florida resident is currently the lead training coordinator for a company that maintains the aircraft used for training U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard helicopter pilots. It’s a role she loves, and she plans to stay with the company until retirement.
However, prior to her current role, McIntosh had applied for another position within the organization twice and was refused an interview each time because she did not have a degree.
That experience “lit a fire” in McIntosh, a wife, mother, and grandmother.
After settling into her lead training coordinator career, she decided to return to college again. She wanted a program that would help her perform her job more efficiently, which eventually led her to NWTC’s Office Management associate degree program.
Taking all of her courses online, McIntosh was able to balance college with her busy work and family life. Not only did she graduate on December 17 with a 4.0 GPA and as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, but she was also named the 2024-2025 Office Management Program Outstanding Student.
Rachel McIntosh and her family flew in from Florida to attend the December 17, 2025, commencement at the Resch Center.
“Rachel was truly a model student,” said Jill Cropsey, Office Management program instructor and McIntosh’s faculty mentor. “One of Rachel’s strongest strengths is her level of professionalism – and she is incredibly organized. She is a lifelong learner and continually works to improve her skills.”
As part of the faculty mentoring program, McIntosh and Cropsey would meet virtually each semester to talk about what was going well, college resources, and to cover any questions McIntosh had. The mentoring sessions are designed to keep faculty and students connected and keep students on track with classes and a plan to graduate.
For McIntosh, the personal connection between students and faculty helped her feel comfortable right away. Support from faculty and her family kept her going through several challenges.
“I would have given up without their support,” she said. “This is my seventh college. It took my seventh college to obtain my degree! There is just something special about Green Bay, NWTC, Jill Cropsey, and my super supportive family!”
Reflecting on her path to winter commencement, McIntosh said, unapologetically, “I was not your traditional college student. I have a long-broken road that led me to NWTC and my degree.”
Shortly before graduation, she shared her personal journey, below, in hopes it may inspire others to go after their goals.
“Through my story, if I can encourage even one person to go back to school and pursue their education, that is a win,” she said. “If I can do it despite all that we have been through over the last two and a half years, anyone can do it.”
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I decided I wanted to take away the power from anyone who could tell me “No” simply because I lacked a degree. So, for the sixth time since high school, I returned to college. I wanted a program that would directly help me perform my job more efficiently, something practical and technical, which led me to Office Management.
In August 2023, I found a school in Ohio that offered a Professional Office Management degree. Through my union, tuition was covered, so I enrolled. Immediately after I signed up, the school and union ended their agreement. Despite losing this financial support, I continued. I enrolled full time, earned a 4.0 GPA, and enjoyed college more than I ever had in the past.
In January 2024, tragedy struck.
My husband’s mother and stepfather passed away just twelve days apart from each other. They lived in Maine, I was living in Florida, and my husband was temporarily working in Texas for six months. On top of all that, our oldest son was getting married in Florida that same month. I was not sure I could continue school through everything, but thanks to our strong family and friend support network, we made it through.
Then, in May 2024, the school mishandled funds and was forced to shut down. The Spring 2024 semester was their last. I was devastated. It had taken me so long to find the perfect program, and I was halfway done. I needed to find another school with a similar degree, quickly. I began to think a college degree just was not meant for me.
I kept searching, and that is when I found NWTC and the Office Management program. I immediately enrolled in Summer 2024, while my husband and I were traveling repeatedly between Florida, Texas, and Maine for funerals, burials, and estate matters. Professors Jill Cropsey and Janel Veeser created a supportive, welcoming environment that made me feel like I belonged. They are two of the main reasons I will be walking across the stage on December 17th, 2025, especially Jill Cropsey.
In the Fall 2024 semester, Janel Veeser certainly challenged me with her Business Grammar and Proofreading course! During that time, I doubted once again whether a degree was in my future. I reached out for help from my highly educated and professional parents (including my mother, who had always claimed to be an English expert), their friend that was a teacher, and a coworker of mine who majored in English; and I discovered something surprising: Not only was my mom unrealistic about her English abilities my entire life, I was learning and retaining more than all the people helping me. Despite the difficulty, I passed the class and maintained my 4.0 GPA.
In October 2024, I unexpectedly, but happily, gained full custody of my children, ages 14 and 12. Overnight, our lives changed. I had to figure out how to continue working full-time, attending school full-time, and drive an hour each way to keep my kids in their familiar school and activities so they would not face too many changes at once. We spent countless hours in lawyers’ offices, establishing medical care, and creating a new routine. Thanks to our strong family support, we kept every ball in the air, my school included.
In November 2024, I went through one of the biggest inspections ever at work: the Aircraft Maintenance Inspection (AMI), where a U.S. Navy team ensures all processes and procedures are followed correctly. Not only did I pass the inspection, but I also received a United States Navy Bravo Zulu award for a job well done.
Since then, we have focused on getting the kids settled into their new school and activities, supporting another child through marriage, and keeping our family thriving. Thanks to my supportive family, especially my husband, I was able to juggle everything, and, in just a couple of weeks, I will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA, as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and the 2024-2025 Office Management Program Outstanding Student.
Rachel McIntosh, center, was encouraged to reach her degree goals by her "super supportive family." Submitted photo
My original goal was simply to earn my associate degree, but I have enjoyed college so much that I have decided to continue my education and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
I eventually found the Business Office Technology bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University, which is where I will continue my education. I only have forty-one more credits to go. Still, Green Bay, NWTC, Professor Jill Cropsey, and Professor Janel Veeser will always hold a special place in my heart.
Someone asked me the other day if I planned to continue school after earning my Bachelor of Science degree, and I told them I prefer to focus on one step at a time, but the thought has crossed my mind.
Between working full time and going to school full time, I do not have much time for anything other than sleep. In fact, once I graduate, a few people plan on cashing in the I.O.U.s I handed out. When I do have a few minutes to spare, I enjoy spending time with all our kids and my grandchild. Yes, I am a proud grandma! I even have another granddaughter on the way, expected in June 2026. We love having everyone over for dinner, family time, and swimming in the pool.
Rachel McIntosh and her husband with her Jeep, "EAARL," after going through a mudhole that no one else in their Jeep club was able to get through. "It was so awesome!" Submitted photo
I also enjoy watching our youngest son bowl, our daughter cheer, and occasionally bowling myself when we have time for a league. We had to pause our bowling league because our lives, and our older sons’ lives, became too hectic.
This year, my husband surprised me with a birthday gift: a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 named “EAARL” in Earl Gray. We are active members of Santa Rosa Jeeps, a Jeep club, and enjoy fundraisers, charity work, parades, convoys, and off-roading with them.
One of my goals throughout this journey is to inspire my younger children. If they see their mom graduate from college, they will know they can graduate too. If they see the sacrifices I have made, and that they and my husband have made because I did not pursue my degree straight out of high school, maybe it will encourage them to finish their education immediately after high school. I want to make my kids, husband, and parents proud!
Through my story, if I can encourage even one person to go back to school and pursue their education, that is a win. If I can do it despite all that we have been through over the last two and a half years, anyone can do it.
One of my favorite things to say to people is: “You can do anything you put your mind to! Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy; the choice is yours!”
Balancing work, family, and college, 2026 NWTC graduate Carla Larson is already putting her degree to work by growing her career and continuing toward her bachelor’s degree.
NWTC Business Management graduate turned her education into a launchpad — building her own business and earning recognition as the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s 2026 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
NWTC helped Shelby Balatgek find her love for event management — a passion she now channels into creating vibrant community events across Green Bay.