Lindsay Brown’s college degree has been three decades in the making. As director of business development for the TROY Group, Inc., Lindsay said he’s had a fair amount of success, including landing a recent deal with the state of Washington. But he considered a college degree an unfinished goal.

“I went to college in the late 70s. Had a really poor experience…so I didn’t finish,” he said. “And it’s been bothering me ever since.”

Throughout his 20s, 30s and 40s it stayed in the back of his mind. Confidence, procrastination and cost held him back. But once his children started attending college themselves, he took action.

“The kids would say, ‘why didn’t you finish, Dad?’ I felt it was an obligation almost, and I wanted to do it to set an example. I don’t have to go back to college. I have a good job. This is more of unfinished business in a lot of ways,” he said.

At age 57, Lindsay found Brandman MyPath and enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program. With a full-time job and a family that now includes grandchildren, he said he needed a program that didn’t require the traditional classroom attendance.

“The beauty of it is you can do it on your own terms. So, um, you’re able to take the program with you, if you’re traveling. You can do it at night. You can do it during the day. You can stop the program for a while, you don’t have to be committed to being somewhere on a certain day at a certain time. This program allows you to incorporate things that maybe you didn’t expect. The program works into a busy person’s lifestyle without detracting from what they’re already doing,” he said.

The self-paced nature of Brandman MyPath also appeals to him. By being able to incorporate his work experience and knowledge into the coursework, he is able to go through content he’s familiar with – such as marketing – more quickly than topics in which he needs help, such as written and oral communications. He’s already using what he’s learning in his virtual classroom into the real-world boardroom – and his boss is noticing.

“I have noticed a significant difference,” said Patrick Dirk, CEO of TROY Group, Inc. “One of our core values is innovation and since Lindsay has been involved in this program, he has come in to us with several ideas – two of them we implemented immediately. So, the thing that I do notice is his innovation. He’s thinking all the time about his job, what he’s doing, and that is a change from the that he enrolled.”

“I think of him as a superstar,” Dirk added.

With that kind of endorsement and a long work history, Lindsay said he likely could have had a decent career without going back to college. He considers achieving the degree to be like an insurance policy to go along with the level of work experience he has, as well as a personal accomplishment.

“I’ve always wanted to finish. So, regardless of the program I’m in, I want to finish this thing, and it might take me three years, it might take me six. But, I will finish,” he said.