Haley Napier

“For those interested in the MC program, my biggest piece of advice is simply to go for it. It will be difficult, it will be stressful, but it will be worth it,” said Haley Napier, criminal justice major at the University of Louisville (UofL).

Haley is a graduate of North Bullitt High School in Shepherdsville, Kentucky and joined the Metropolitan College program in Fall 2019.

“Night shift is hard, and there are times you will feel isolated from all of which you have ever known, but give it time, and you will make some of the best friends and professional relationships that you have ever had,” said Haley.

Originally, Haley was nervous about working third shift, but was inspired to join after hearing from others who participated in the program. “My MC advisor was with me every step of the way, and I made it through my first year with a 4.0,” said Haley, now a UofL senior maintaining over a 3.9 cumulative GPA and set to graduate this fall.

Haley began working as an administrative assistant at UPS, however, driven to learn more about the company and take on a more challenging leadership role, Haley believed becoming a part-time supervisor was the next best step. “After eight months at UPS, I got promoted to Front-Line Supervisor where I now see my future career,” said Haley.

Haley takes the role of a supervisory very seriously and is truly committed to the success of employees and retention. Additionally, Haley regularly applies transferrable skills learned from criminal justice curriculum to real-life work situations each night in the UPS operation.

This spring, Haley received a nomination for the 2021 Outstanding Metropolitan College Student Award, an award that recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, work-life balance, and academic success.

After graduation, Haley plans on pursuing a master’s degree and getting promoted to a full-time supervisor position at UPS. “While I initially chose the MC program because it was the financially responsible thing to do, it has given me more freedom and life skills than I could have ever anticipated,” said Haley.

Learn more about Haley Napier in this Metropolitan College Spotlight Q&A Interview

What did you decide to participate in the MC program?
I have always looked ahead to my future, and in doing so, have always searched for ways to come out of college debt-free. I spent endless nights applying for scholarships and also applied and got accepted into the Governors Scholar Program, which I attended the summer before my senior year. However, I still would be owing money to get my degree. I heard about the MC program through my older sibling and knew it was exactly what I had to do.

What led you to choose your major?
I have always been interested in the crime shows and documentaries that I would see on TV growing up. However, I never really considered pursuing a degree in criminal justice. I always thought I would go into the medical field like most of my family. During my junior year, and after taking a few medical classes, I knew the medical field was not my calling. During my time at the Governor’s Scholar Program, my focus area was forensic science, and it was then that I knew criminal justice is my passion. However, life has a way of changing things quickly. I thought I was going to get my degree in criminal Justice and attend law school. I now see my future career with UPS.

What has been your involvement with co-curricular activities, co-ops or internships, volunteer experience, community service, undergraduate research, etc.?
During my time at UPS and going to school full-time, volunteer work has been hard to find time for. Especially with the pandemic, I have not been able to do nearly as much as I had hoped for. Throughout my freshman year, I continued to volunteer at my local animal shelter until COVID hit, and from there, I have made a point to participate in donation collections at work. I am currently making bracelets as part of a fundraiser for an eight-month-old baby girl with Neuroblastoma, whose mom was a friend of mine back in middle school. As restrictions are lifted, I plan on dedicating more of my free time to volunteer work.

What has been your biggest challenge as a MC participant and how did you overcome these challenges?
My biggest challenge as a MC participant was adjusting to night shift, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Night shift requires more sleep than I could have ever imagined, and I would end up so exhausted, that I thought I may never get all my schoolwork done and have time for friends or family. However, I trained my body into a strict schedule. I would allow myself to get seven hours of sleep, wake up, and then spend 3-4 hours completing schoolwork and studying. I would utilize the weekends to spend time with my friends and family. My first year I commuted every day of the week and realized that I had not set myself up for success. So, after that, I knew I had to limit how often I would have to commute. This helped immensely. I overcame this challenge by trial and error. I found how much sleep I needed to be well-rested, I utilized the time I did have, and I adjusted my schedule as needed.

What motivates and drives you to succeed while pursing your educational goals?
I have always been extremely self-driven and motivated. Growing up, my parents never had to stay on top of me about doing my schoolwork, they never had to inquire about my grades. I grew up holding myself accountable and I believe that is just a part of my personality. I have always felt older than I am, and when I do lack motivation, I always end up finding it again. It has made pursuing my degree that much easier, and I know that I am lucky to have grown up that way. I have always held myself to a high standard and I believe in pursuing my education, I have been able to trust myself in the fact that I will not allow myself to fail. Everyone gets off track sometimes, but I am always able to take a step back, assess, and adjust from there.

How has working at UPS contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Working at UPS has contributed immensely to my personal and professional growth. I knew from the moment I first started working there as an Admin, that I wanted to eventually get promoted. After the first month, I felt like I already knew my job thoroughly and that there was more for me there. After my promotion, I have been able to hold a management position at a young age and learn vital skills. UPS has given me the tools to become a great communicator and a great leader.

What person(s) has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
I can't say that I have one person who has been the biggest influence in my life, rather it has been a culmination of all the experiences I have had with different individuals that has been my biggest influence. For example, I have had people who didn't think I was ready for the things I have taken upon myself. It’s in those moments, when others have doubted me, that I have worked that much harder to get where I am now. Of course, I have always needed the support of my friends and family to get me here, but I have always been motivated and influenced by those who have doubt in me, because I know I can accomplish whatever I want to accomplish, as long as I am willing to work for it.

What is an interesting or fun fact about yourself?
An interesting fun fact about me is that I love to sew. When I attended the Governor’s Scholar Program, I was taught how to hand-sew by one of the teachers there. It sparked a passion in me that I did not know existed, and from there, I bought a sewing machine and have made quilts, keychains, scrunchies, and more.

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We are proud of our current students and alumni and their incredible accomplishments! The MC Spotlight is a way for us to highlight the amazing things our current students and alumni are doing. As you read their stories, you will learn how their Metropolitan College experiences helped to shape their futures and influence their careers.

We are always on the lookout for inspiring MC Spotlight stories. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing a story with us, contact us at askmetro@kctcs.edu.

Note: At Metropolitan College, we consider our alumni anyone who has ever completed coursework and received tuition benefits with us.