This past December, Nadja Zaleschka McQueen walked across stage to receive her B.B.A. in Marketing, a moment she thought might never come. Though she had always wanted to attend college, life circumstances pulled her attention and energy elsewhere.
McQueen had her first child as a high school senior and her second at age 20. She worked full-time and overnight to support her family. Attending college was difficult to even imagine.
“I thought school wasn’t in the cards for me anymore,” McQueen said. While working in Tampa, Florida, she took online classes through a local community college. She hit pause on her academic journey when her family relocated to Atlanta, so her husband could pursue a film career.
In Atlanta, McQueen started working as a mixer at the Coca-Cola Atlanta Syrup Plant, the only manufacturer of the concentrate for Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in the world. Her work provided stability for the family, but McQueen craved more. She wanted to not only achieve professional fulfillment but also show her kids dreams can be realized despite life’s challenges.
McQueen enrolled in online classes at Georgia State’s Perimeter College (PC) to keep her goal within reach, even though she sometimes struggled to stay motivated.
“Life was busy,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy to take classes and do homework while working full-time with two kids.”
During those hard moments, McQueen leaned into her support network. Her two closest friends reminded her of her progress and encouraged her to keep going.
McQueen earned her associate degree in business administration after eight years of tireless work.
“I cried tears of joy,” she said.
She originally intended to take a break. But when she heard about Robinson’s Online B.B.A. program, she decided to forge ahead and enroll as a marketing major.
McQueen completed rigorous projects with real-world applications. In her Marketing Strategy class, she spent the semester compiling marketing recommendations for Atlanta-based juice company Arden’s Garden. McQueen and her teammates presented their research to the company's president and CEO, Leslie Zinn.
“That experience prepared me for the work I’ll encounter in the real world,” she said. “It was the most beneficial part of the program.”
During McQueen’s final semester, a financial obstacle could have prevented her from graduating as planned. But a friend stepped up and helped cover the tuition. McQueen earned a spot on the Dean’s List and finished on time.
McQueen hopes to grow as a professional and activate her business acumen and skills on a marketing team. More than that, she wants to continue setting an example for her children.
“I opened all the wrong doors and went in all the wrong directions, but I found my path,” she said. “As long as I stay focused and believe in myself, I can achieve anything.”