Professional Development 

2007 Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award

UCEA honors adult students over the age of 25 for noteworthy achievements in the pursuit of excellence in continuing education. This year's national outstanding continuing education student awardee was selected from among the award-winning students chosen by UCEA's six regional organizations.

Roger J. Miranda

Duquesne University

In the summer of 2005, Sgt. Roger Miranda, then a corporal in the United States Marine Corps, was assigned to a recruiting station in Pittsburgh. Before he had unpacked his belongings, he was in the office of Duquesne University Director of Military Education Programs Mary Jane Snyder, seeking to enroll. "Within a few minutes of conversation, it was apparent that this was someone of presence, determination and strength," Snyder recalls.

Miranda is now enrolled in an accelerated degree program at Duquesne, carrying a 3.75 grade point average. After earning his bachelor's degree, he plans to attend law school. He has been a standout Marine; he was promoted to sergeant in October 2005, and his personal decorations include four medals, five letters of appreciation and a Certificate of Commendation. He is also a husband and father to a young son.

"Since his first days at Duquesne, many of us have been aware of his desire to inspire others to do better," says Dorothy Bassett, Dean, Duquesne University School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. "He is adamant about being a good father and role model to his son. He encourages other Marines to pursue higher education and even comes with them when they visit our office for the first time."

Miranda, 26, was born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. In 1989, his mother brought him with his seven siblings to Maryland, where she worked three jobs to support her family on her own. "Watching my mom struggle to raise eight children on her own has taught me never to accept defeat," he says. The youngest of the eight children, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. The events of September 11, 2001, moved Miranda to enlist with the USMC, and by 2004 as a corporal he had charge over 28 Marines. "I began to understand how honor, courage and commitment were the virtues of a true leader," he says. "Although at this point I had grown in both inner strength and maturity, I never forgot about the importance of a solid education."

Already a member of the Hispanic Attorneys Committee, a part of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Miranda plans to use his law degree to assist immigrants in pursuit of realizing their own dreams, as he is realizing his. "Today I find myself with no choice but to make it to the finish line," he says. "By pushing other Marines to enroll at Duquesne I feel that I am sharing in some way a goal that we as military members all have in common. My strengths are my experiences and my achievements will be my legacy."