Carlie Henning

Carlie Henning, jersey number 33, is a graduate student-athlete obtaining her Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Norwich University Online.

Is it achievable to go get your graduate degree and still fully participate with the team that you love?

I mean, I definitely had doubts. I had a lot of people telling me, “Oh, it's going to be really hard.”, “You know you're going to be studying all the time.”, “Are you sure you can do it?” and it's actually a lot easier than you think. Other than that, a lot of people say it is achievable. I've been able to participate in everything with my team, even show up early and do stuff with them and have fun. It’s nice to know I can juggle both. Like, hey, it's not as hard as people are trying to tell you it is.

Why did you decide to pursue your master's degree here at Norwich?

I started college in 2019, and of course, the whole world decided to shut down [for COVID]. Having that extra year of [collegiate sports] eligibility really made it tempting to start my master’s program. I could have chosen to go somewhere else, but I decided to stay here with all my friends and teammates who are basically my sisters. The choice was so easy.

How has your experience in the online criminal justice program at Norwich shaped your perspective future career?

The program definitely pushed me to want to do better and to really prove myself. This school carries a lot of weight; It's prestigious, and everybody knows it. To be able to say I completed my undergrad and master's program at Norwich feels really great. I tell myself, “I did this” and when I share it with people, they say, “That’s amazing; a whole new world of higher-level opportunities just opened up for you.” That's what made me feel great about making my decision to come back.

Has anything about Norwich's online format helped you to succeed academically, especially with your busy lacrosse schedule?

What really helps me is how Norwich sets up the online program. Here they'll send you notifications such as, “This assignment's due in three days,” or “You have feedback on this assignment,” and it makes it easy to know what needs to be done. It helped me with time management, knowing everything's laid out. It's also easy to access. I can access it from my phone if I forget to do something. I can do it from the locker room, the bus or the gym. The accessibility is very nice.

Was it easy to get familiar with and use the online platform at Norwich?

I was somewhat used to it from being a student on campus previously. It's a little different, but they had it set up so easily with video instructions on how to access everything, and coming from Noodle [our previous platform] to this was really easy. There are a lot of professors who were willing to help work with you when you couldn't find stuff.

Have there been any courses that have had a particularly strong impact on you?

With the online programs here, you're able to pick the path you want. For example, if you want to take some cybersecurity classes, you can in the criminal justice program as an elective. It was nice to take classes tailored to what I want to do when I graduate. I'm definitely looking towards a position in the government in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). I took an international terrorism class and feel like I learned about so many terrible things that are going on in the world. It opened my eyes to knowing this is what I want to do. I want to help people. It made choosing a future career a lot easier and shortened the list of where I want to work. The flexibility will give me a leg up when I graduate.

You mentioned earlier that graduate studies are a lot easier than you thought it would be. How have you managed to successfully balance full-time academic and athletic schedules?

I definitely try to focus on my academics in the mornings. Thanks to Coach Caulfield opening up the new gym, I actually was able to get a job where I can work and study at the same time. I go to the gym, clean and work there for a couple of hours, do some homework for a couple of hours, and then I get in a lift after work. I'm able to prioritize everything that’s important to me. I get my homework and job done, and I can go to practice without worrying about my other responsibilities.

Does the discipline required for lacrosse translate into completing your online coursework?

You're definitely held to a higher standard both on and off the lacrosse field. Developing discipline helped me to transition what I learned as an undergrad and in lacrosse into my studies. Specifically prioritizing and getting my time management worked out. The discipline has always helped to get schoolwork done in a timely manner.

In previous interviews you mentioned that you were considering the FBI as a future career. Is that still what you have your sights on, or have you widened your potential future options?

After taking a deeper dive into the master's program, I’ve opened my career options up a little bit. I am set on one of the three-letter agencies after graduation. It will be easier to achieve by earning an online master's degree from Norwich since its name carries such volume and weight.

Do you feel that your time as a student-athlete has prepared you for the pressures of working in a three-letter agency?

I believe so; coach Ian Thomas (IT) pushes us hard because he knows that we're capable of accomplishing anything. Having him do that has made me open up and see that I can achieve my professional goals. I can be a student-athlete, a master’s student, and I can go on to be successful at a three-letter agency because I've been pushed so much to reach my potential.

What makes Norwich unique compared to other schools you've attended or looked at?

For me, what makes it unique is the town itself. At every football game we worked at, the locals all just came in, and they were all happy to be there. To them, you're not just a student, you're another family member. They say, “Oh, you're here from out of state? Great! We're glad you're here! You know you're family now.” It's nice to feel that Northfield is like a home away from home.

Do you think online students who aren’t physically in the area can get that same feeling of family?

The online professors I've had are very sweet. They are there for you if you need them, and they will reach out to you whenever you need it. They're very flexible, and so that made me feel like how I do [here on campus]. You get the homey feeling of knowing that somebody has your back. They're more than just a professor; they’re a human being who takes a genuine interest in their students, both on campus and online.

How has Norwich’s mix of civilian students and cadets influenced your experience?

It’s been interesting. It took me a while to get used to it. A lot of the girls on my team in previous years were in the Corps [of Cadets], and they taught me the [military] lingo. It was interesting and fun at the same time. It's nice to tell people that I go to a military college but on the civilian side because it sparks a lot of questions and conversation. People ask what it is like, and you get to talk about Norwich. It made me realize this situation is actually cool. I'm experiencing something that a lot of kids don't get to.

When you do travel games, do people often ask you those questions?

They do a lot. You can tell they're trying to figure out who is in the Corps and who is not, and it's just fun. I tell them I'm a civilian, and they want to know everything about it. They're genuinely interested, and it's a way to talk about the school and share that it’s actually really fun.

Has being part of a Senior Military College culture shaped your leadership skills or your mindset in any way?

I do believe it has, especially being a goalie. I feel that while being here in this environment, my leadership has grown, and it's something I never thought I'd be able to experience before. I'm glad Norwich opened that experience for me.

You've played and lived in different parts of the country. How has being up in Vermont at Norwich influenced your personal and athletic growth?

It's challenged me. Growing up in Georgia, we don't get snow. We don't get the frigid cold temperatures, so being up here has made me have to grow and adapt. I feel like that's something I can take with me on and off the lacrosse field. Having to adapt to weather changes and to one day outside then one day inside has made me more flexible. I can adapt quicker, move on, and not second-guess things. That’s a really good skill to have in life.

What advice would you give to other student-athletes who are considering following in your footsteps with an online graduate degree at Norwich?

I would tell them to do it, especially if they have the eligibility to play their sport for another year. It is worth it, and I'm glad I've done it. I'm actually sad because soon, I'll be taking my last class for the master’s program. I've recommended it to several people who have come up and asked me if it was worth it. I told them it's challenging, but in the end, you're going to be so proud of yourself.

When pursuing a career with a three-letter agency, how else might your experiences here help you land your dream career?

It’ll make me look more rounded as an individual. I could juggle a full-time master's degree on top of a full-time lacrosse schedule. It demonstrates that I have all my ducks in a row. I can progress multiple tasks at one time and continue to keep going, and with that, I bring all the skills that I've learned to the table. That’s what's going to give me the edge. I'm able to adapt quickly, I'm flexible, and I can focus on more than one project at a time.

What are you looking forward to most in your final season at Norwich?

I'm looking forward to making a lot of memories. Coach IT says, “You don't know when the last time you're going to touch the lacrosse field is,” and I took that to heart in my last season here at Norwich. I don't know when my last time will be, so I'm going to soak up every second I have, even if it is 3° and freezing outside. I’ll enjoy it because I don't know when I'll ever get this opportunity again.

What’s something other than lacrosse and criminal justice that is important to you?

I'd have to say my dog, Kona. My parents got her for me because I've always wanted a golden retriever. She's my little baby, and I tell people she's my child. If I'm doing lacrosse, she’s with me, and I would say she's one of my biggest fans. She loves to watch TV, and one of her favorite things is to watch my lacrosse games. She's always been at the lacrosse field, and I have so many pictures with her because she's adorable.
 

To close out the interview, does your jersey number carry any significance for you?

My jersey number was different than the ones I had years prior. It marked a new chapter in my life [attending Norwich], and it’s been special to me while I’ve been here.