Student Services:

Featured Learner - Rebecca Chavarria

Like many Peirce students, Rebecca Chavarria works full-time and takes care of a family. She works as a Property Manager for Pennrose Management Company, and is working toward a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Management. She has her ARM^' Certification (Accredited Residential Manager) and is working toward her CPM^' Certification (Certified Property Manager.)

Rebecca attended other colleges in the Philadelphia area, but never really felt that she fit in, especially as a working parent with a demanding career in property management. When she learned through her employer that the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) has a partnership with Peirce College, she transferred.

Rebecca had a challenging start at Peirce, keeping up with her online classes while balancing her other responsibilities, but she now maintains a 4.0 GPA. According to Rebecca, things turned around with help from her advisor, Myriah Lipke. They both decided that she should try taking evening classes on campus. While many students enjoy the flexibility of online learning, Rebecca realized that small classes and individual attention were keys to success. She also appreciates "the tools Peirce provides like tutoring, the Walker Center, computer lab and on-campus laptop borrowing." She also likes the accelerated 7-week sessions. "They are more intense," she notes, "but they keep me involved and focused." A big motivator for Rebecca is that she and her children can study together. It gives her the opportunity to spend time with them and also teach them good study habits.

"My advisor always took the time to listen and offer encouragement," Rebecca says. "She helped me plan my educational goals in a realistic and attainable fashion." Ms. Lipke adds that, "Rebecca has found a good balance between her career, family and studies."

Rebecca is enthusiastic about Peirce, "I can't put into words how comfortable I feel attending classes at Peirce. It just feels right and that is why I am excelling here."