Sheyenne Schwenck
"The support and understanding from my professors stood out the most—they worked with me during a challenging time and helped me stay on track."
Q: "Tell us about yourself: your family, friends, interests, and hobbies."
A: "I am married to my husband, Chris, who was a Norwich cadet (Class of 2019), and we have a son, Liam, who is a year and a half old. My family is my favorite part of life, and I love spending time with them. In my free time, I enjoy reading, camping, and traveling."
Q: "Describe your professional background prior to enrolling, what motivated you to pursue this degree, and your long-term career goals."
A: "I have been in the Army for nearly 15 years, beginning as an enlisted intelligence analyst and later commissioning through the Green to Gold program. My husband, a former Norwich cadet, encouraged me to pursue a master's degree. As a first-generation college student, continuing my education is something I am deeply motivated to do, especially for my son.
My goal is to work as a criminal analyst and eventually support anti-human trafficking efforts."
Q: "How have you applied what you learned in your role, and how has this degree impacted your career growth or direction?"
A: "What I have learned has strengthened my leadership and decision-making in my role. It has also made me more competitive for promotion and helped guide my long-term career goals."
Q: "What will stay with you most from your Norwich experience, and what advice would you give to prospective students?"
A: "What will stay with me most is that it is not impossible, there is a strong support system, and people genuinely want you to succeed. The network is also incredibly valuable.
My advice to prospective students is to take full advantage of that network. Talk about Norwich, you will often find someone who has a connection, and those relationships can open doors."
Q: "Why did you choose Norwich University Online? What influenced your decision to pursue an online program, and which aspects of the online learning experience proved most beneficial to you?"
A: "I chose Norwich University Online because, as an active-duty service member, I needed the flexibility an online program provides. The ability to balance my professional responsibilities with my education made this program a strong fit for me.
The discussions with classmates and the variety of perspectives they bring have been especially valuable. I have also appreciated the networking opportunities and learning from others’ experiences, which have made the program both engaging and meaningful."
Q: "What were your expectations before starting the program? How did your experience compare, and what aspects stood out most to you?"
A: "Before starting the program, I was honestly intimidated and unsure if I could manage a master’s degree, especially while pregnant and with my husband deployed.
My experience ended up being more positive than I expected. The support and understanding from my professors stood out the most—they worked with me during a challenging time and helped me stay on track."
