Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems

Meredith Gabbard

Bachelors of Science in Information Systems

If I learned anything during my time here, it's that perseverance triumphs over everything. There will be periods of intense struggle and incredible ease. Through all of them, it's *vital* to never let yourself quit! I have changed so much in my time at Grantham, personally and academically. Looking back at the girl that began this degree program, things have been fuzzy at times. The number of times I thought, "why am I doing this again?" But, no matter what happened, I continued turning in assignments and discussion posts, completing labs, and collecting credit after credit, because I knew that I COULD do it, if I just kept going. I was right.

I sought this degree to prove to myself and my kids that anything is possible and to show them the value of perseverance. I was determined to break generational barriers and create a brighter path forward. The late nights, long hours, and sacrifices were worth it—not just for the achievement, but to demonstrate that women in tech ARE the future and that resilience can overcome obstacles. My husband, Ryan, and our kids were my constant motivation and guiding light, reminding me of my purpose when challenges felt overwhelming. This milestone is not only a personal victory, but also a message to my family and others: with determination, hard work, and support, the future can be rewritten.

Pursuing my bachelor’s degree while serving on active duty has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Balancing deployments, family responsibilities, and the demands of military service with academics required resilience, discipline, and sacrifice. This journey has shown me that persistence makes growth possible, even in the most complex environments. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn, and I look forward to carrying the lessons of this achievement into my future service and beyond.