March 17, 2026
While working full time, business admin student turns longtime goal into reality
Raina Lupton always wanted to finish the college education she started 28 yrs ago. “I want to feel like I have accomplished something by getting a degree and having a wider range of skills,” she says.
"I needed an online degree, but I wanted a local college. I like that I can meet with a professor and even get tutoring help in person." ~ Raina Lupton, Business Administration student
Now, while working full time, she takes two classes a semester as she works toward completing her associate degree in business administration at JCCC. Says Raina, “I’m able to do the whole degree online, which is important since I work seven days a week.”
A brand-new start to complete a degree
With nearly three decades since she was in school, Raina was nervous about going back. She says JCCC made it easy. “I watched the introduction video the College sent, and it gave me the confidence I could do it.” She planned her semesters with the help of a counselor. Then she got her first “A” and knew she could do it. She also made the President’s Honor Roll.
She has been pleasantly surprised at how affordable college has been. With the scholarships she’s received through the JCCC Foundation and reimbursements from her company, her total cost for eight classes has been less than $150. For the remaining four to six semesters, even if she doesn’t receive more scholarships, her company will reimburse her for education expenses.
Raina has been with her company for 12 years and hopes to one day retire there. With new skills she’s learned through her degree—like interpersonal communications and accounting—she envisions how it could open doors for future opportunities within the company. But even more, she’s proud of herself for working toward something she started years ago.
“If you’re like me and have the urge to go back to school,” says Raina, “take this time in life for yourself. Make the leap or you never will.”
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