Leanne Churchill who had served as a cryptologic linguist, earned a business administration degree with a concentration in marketing strategy and a minor in leadership studies.
Leanne Churchill had planned her life around a career in the U.S. Air Force, but an injury abruptly ended her 11-year career. She pivoted to pursuing an education with plans to teach in higher education one day.
“After I separated from the Air Force, I relocated to the area,” Churchill recalled. “I took the time to reflect on what I wanted to do and made the decision to go back to school. UNCW has an incredible business school; it has the AACSB accreditation and an amazing program. The Cameron School of Business has spectacular support and consummate faculty who pushed me and taught me so much not only in the classroom but about myself.”
Churchill, who had served as a cryptologic linguist, earned a business administration degree with a concentration in marketing strategy and a minor in leadership studies. Returning to school as a non-traditional student comes with unique challenges, said Churchill, particularly when balancing the demands of being a mom with academic obligations and organizational commitments.
A native of Homer, NY, Churchill plans to continue her education at UNCW through the International Master of Business Administration program and pursue a Ph.D. “I want to be in school forever!” she said.
Churchill, a recipient of the NC Patriot Foundation Scholarship, also finds time to serve as a Cameron School of Business peer advisor, president of the International Business Student Association and Student Veterans Organization president. She represented UNCW at the Student Veterans of America Washington Week, where she advocated for the needs of student veterans to state leaders and the House Committee on Veteran Affairs.
“Serving as the president of the UNCW Student Veterans Organization has been a tremendous blessing. Through this role, I have had the opportunity to support my fellow military-affiliated students by connecting them with a wealth of resources within our community, including employers, financial assistance and mental health services,” she said. “Our organization is dedicated to advocating for the unique challenges faced by our non-traditional student population and providing a voice for their needs to university leadership.”
Churchill encouraged fellow Seahawks to take advantage of all that UNCW offers. “There are so many fantastic opportunities from social group to educational opportunities to study abroad to community involvement,” she said. “Try something new.”
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