Emerging collegiate scholar is making her comeback in cybersecurity with Purdue Global

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Business owner Chelsea Bollinger uses technology on a daily basis with her business, Sugar Coats Nail Artistry, in Melbourne, Florida. But a new life goal has her looking deeper at a career in cybertechnology, exploring ways to keep people and businesses safe online.

The 31-year-old entrepreneur has spent the last 10 years growing her salon. The demand for more cybersecurity workers and her interest in technology had her change her trajectory, especially with a cybertech career being more financially solid than owning her own shop.

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“Since childhood, I have had an interest in technology, so I started to research various careers in the field, and after months of contemplating, I decided cybersecurity was the best fit for me,” Bollinger said. “Purdue Global sounded like it would be the best choice for my new journey.”

Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults, offers several cybersecurity degree pathways through its School of Business and Information Technology and its Cybersecurity Center. A member of the Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, Purdue Global has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for the Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity and Master of Science in cybersecurity management.

Chelsea Bollinger. (Photo provided) Download image

Bollinger, who is now in her third term of classes to earn her bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with Purdue Global, is already seeing the fruits of her labor in her comeback. She was recently invited to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, an honors organization that recognizes high-achieving first- and second-year college students, and she received an invitation to the National Society of Leadership and Success.

“I am truly surprised and honored to be invited to both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Society of Leadership and Success. I’m so grateful to be acknowledged for my academic success,” Bollinger said. “Being a part of these esteemed societies will help me strive to be even more successful on this new life journey.”

Bollinger says her decision to explore and expand into the technology field that she has dreamed of since she was young will change her life.

“I am very proud of myself for deciding to return to school and taking the exciting steps toward a career change,” she said. “Purdue Global has provided me with the opportunity to make this comeback a successful one. Although this decision to return to school was initially intimidating, Purdue Global and its wonderful staff and numerous resources have made me feel more confident than ever before. The hardest step is making the decision to change your life. I know Purdue Global will be here for me the rest of the way.”

While still working full time as a small-business owner, Bollinger plans to graduate in the summer of 2025.

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://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

Writer/Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Source: Chelsea Bollinger