Elizabeth Koliba, account management operations manager for Accelerated Pathways, didn’t take the straight path in her learning journey. She took the realistic one. Like many of us, it curved, paused, and twisted back.
Elizabeth is a manager, mentor, mother, and someone who knows firsthand the beauty and chaos of lifelong learning. That’s why she believes in the tools we provide to help employees realize the life they imagine through learning.
Accelerated Pathways offers flexible, online college courses designed to fit life’s unpredictability. The program is built for working adults and nontraditional students, with self-paced learning and academic coaching. Plus, the credit from courses you register for is guaranteed to transfer into your college of choice. And best of all, our employees can use it with tuition reimbursement—all 100% covered.
Moving forward on her own terms
Elizabeth began a master’s degree at National University while pregnant with her firstborn and advising college graduate students. She later paused it, picked it back up, and switched programs again. Over five years, Elizabeth attempted three different master’s tracks—business administration, public administration, and HR—but none fit or spoke to her passion.
“I didn’t understand why it was so hard to finish,” she explained. “I had everything I needed—support at home, a good student, the love for learning, and tuition assistance.” But the programs just didn’t feel right.
After careful consideration, Elizabeth decided to step away to take a break. “I was miserable,” she shared. “I felt like I was letting both myself and the dean down. But most importantly, it was hurting my health and family.”
When the right fit finally clicks
Eventually, time passed. Elizabeth changed jobs, welcomed her second child, and began to see things differently. “Everyone kept encouraging me to finish,” she said. “But I wanted to find something I actually loved.”
That’s when Elizabeth discovered a one-year Master of Arts in Human Behavior—accelerated, online, and a perfect match. The courses moved fast, with new classes every four weeks. She juggled it gracefully, raising two kids, working full-time, and to top it off, moving from California to Texas.
One year later, Elizabeth did it! She finally graduated. “After all that, I swore I’d never go back to school again,” she said. But the itch to learn returned. Now, she plans to start a graduate certificate this year, with an eye toward earning her Doctor of Education degree. “I want my kids to see that you don’t have to do everything in a row. It’s okay to start, stop, and try again later.”
That mindset guides her work with Accelerated Pathways, too. Helping learners find the right program, at the right time, with the right support—not just to start, but to actually finish. “There’s no shame in starting over,” Elizabeth explained. “I’ve done it. More than once. And I’m better for it.”
If you’re on the fence about returning to school, Elizabeth offers simple advice: “Find what fuels you. And if the first try doesn’t stick…that’s not failure. It’s learning.” Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause, reflect, and then begin again. You don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to start. And with Pearson’s tuition assistance and Accelerated Pathways program, you don’t have to do it alone.
Learn more about Pearson Accelerated Pathways.
This article originally appeared on Pearson’s Company Hub and was written by Camryn McCrary, Global Employee Communications Analyst
