U.S. parafencer in Guild and Team USA Learning Network becomes first to graduate through program from Purdue Global

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Lauryn DeLuca made history on May 3 by becoming the first Guild and Team USA Learning Network member to graduate from Purdue Global.

DeLuca received her human resources postbaccalaureate certificate during the online university’s commencement ceremonies. The certificate is awarded through Purdue Global’s School of Business and Information Technology.

Since the inception of the partnership with the Guild and Team USA Learning Network in April 2024, Purdue Global has been the preferred online university degree provider for Team USA athletes.

DeLuca, a parafencer who competed for Team USA during the Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, lives near Cleveland, Ohio, and was excited to participate in the commencement ceremony.

DeLuca registered for classes through the partnership while she was working through her LA28 Olympian and Paralympian Fellowship, a career development opportunity for retired Olympians and Paralympians provided by the LA28 Organizing Committee. Her fellowship rotations included human resources and venue infrastructure/accessibility.

The timing couldn’t have been better. She sees the Guild and Team USA Learning Network partnership with Purdue Global as an opportunity to help herself and other retired athletes navigate their various comebacks.

“One thing I’ve learned is just to acquire as many tools as you can and pay it back,” DeLuca said. “I’m looking at how I can use these tools to further the Paralympic movement and athletes.”

DeLuca has cerebral palsy (CP). Wanting to be active in athletics, she saw a fencing competition in 2008 and decided that was her sport.

Not knowing parafencing was an option, having no role models or representation, and with no other parafencers in her club, she fenced in able-bodied bouts from age 9 to 13. Her CP limits the use of one side of her body, meaning she has one arm and one leg that function fully.

“I just couldn’t keep up with my able-bodied peers and fencing anymore. It’s a very demanding, long day of fencing on your feet during an able-bodied tournament,” she said.

A USA Parafencing coach saw her at a competition and talked to her parents about exploring parafencing. After several conversations about which type of disabilities can compete in parafencing and trips to training facilities, she began fencing as an adaptive athlete, qualifying as the youngest parafencer competing at the Rio Games.

“The one thing that I love about the Paralympic movement is that there is a shared identity of being disabled, so we understand something about each other,” she said. “We may not speak the same language, but we understand what it means to be in a world that’s not built for our success. The Paralympics is a celebration of that.”

DeLuca continued her fencing career in college, becoming the first parafencer on her collegiate team, until she had to retire at the age of 20 due to shoulder injuries. She continues to give back to the fencing community by serving on the USA Fencing board of directors and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.

She believes her Purdue Global education provides additional resources that she uses in her board and commission work. “This certificate helps with what I’m saying in committees,” she said. “It adds more weight to what I’m saying. It makes you more established.”

DeLuca appreciated the virtual learning environment, especially as she worked on various projects for LA28, traveled for commitments with the USA Fencing National Governing Board and visited family – even moving twice. Another benefit was the online accessibility aspect, especially not having to address the physical barriers to attending a class.

She watched her friends compete in the Games, then returned to working on her discussion posts and homework.

“That flexibility made it possible. It was a grind, but I always say where there’s a will, there’s a way,” DeLuca said. “I really think Purdue Global sets up working adults.”

DeLuca currently works as a financial aid advisor at a Cleveland-area college. She also assists with training and updating systems and procedures for an organization that specializes in accessibility. Learning in-depth knowledge on benefits, rules and regulations, training, and onboarding helps everyone in the organization succeed.

DeLuca encourages people who have access to education benefits to use them.

“If you’re a retired athlete like myself who hasn’t continued the sport over the years, this opportunity is like training. I’m going back to the gym and I’m going to exercise, and the muscle I’m exercising is my brain. I’m setting myself up for success,” DeLuca said. “If I did it as an athlete, I can do it as a student and as a professional. My comeback is ever-changing, but it’s also always here, always present.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.