Going back to school was never something I had given thought to until a few years ago when I made the transition to academia and realized that was where I wanted to spend the rest of my days. Academia has rules and beliefs that are deeply entrenched, and as someone who had only earned a Bachelor’s Degree, it was held against me and prevented me from doing some things I hoped for. When I first heard, “I’d love to hire you full-time, but you don't have a high enough degree,” it hurt and made me wonder if it would be worth it. Fast forward to a chat with my Department Chair, with a big nudge to get my Master’s Degree. She has become a trusted mentor and friend, so her words hit home, and I began my search for what school I wanted to add to my story. My daughter had begun at ASU until COVID changed her path. While she was there, I fell in love with the school. Their approach to education, innovation, and forward-thinking resonated with me. It is the sort of place where I could see myself teaching one day.…