BASTL prepares for future leadership role

Lori Corden’s educational path took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant while studying electrical engineering at ECPI University in Virginia and returned home to Somerset, Pennsylvania.

She worked and took classes at the Universityof Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a community college, but money was tight. Schoolhad to take a backseat. But Corden remained determined to earn her degree and make a better life for herself and her daughter, Samantha.

Her career started coming together when, working as a road crew flagger, she learned of an inspector certification programthat could lead to a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission position. She passed the course, moved to central Pennsylvania in 2007 and began work as a turnpike inspector. Seven years ago, she was promoted to construction manager.

She returned to her studies, earning an associate degree in Civil Technology from Harrisburg Area Community College in 2009. She didn’t think she could work full time and earn a bachelor’s degree until HACC informed her about Bloomsburg University’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Leadership (BASTL) program.

“I love my job, butI knew that if I ever wanted to advance at the turnpike, I’d need my bachelor’s degree,” said Corden. “I needed a program that would give me flexibility and not cut into work.”

It also was important that Bloomsburg accept her college credits to avoid repeating courses.

Corden started the BASTL program online and at HACC in 2016 and received her degree in December 2018. She said the classes developed her leadership skills and helped her become a better supervisor, having learned about personality traits and how people interact.

She had felt it important that she set an example for her daughter, now 22, who has graduated from Kutztown University and works in children and youth services for the state of Delaware.

“She tells me all the time that she wouldn’t be where sheis if shedidn’t watch me do it,” said Corden, adding she would encourage anyone thinking about BASTL to pursue the degree. “Education is the one thing that can’t be takenfrom you. Even if I don’t choose to advance, I earned my degree for me.”