Gaining Confidence and Moving Forward With COML 
“My plan when I came to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ was to put myself in a position to step up in leadership within my organization or to give myself the ability to really move forward outside the government if and when I chose to do that,” said Brian Heckard.  
Brian Heckard, had spent 25 years in government service, most recently as an Intelligence Analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 
He knew he wanted something more, so he decided to ready himself for his next move by earning his Master’s in Communication and Leadership (COML) from ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´. 
“I always thought of myself as a lifelong learner and that was part of my joy and I kind of let that go. So, part of my plan to move forward and start to challenge myself again was to earn a degree and to pursue education once more.”  
But that goal meant he needed to find a values-based program flexible enough for him to balance his demanding job, a long commute and family life. 
“To get the kind of education I was seeking, I really needed to be able to do it online. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ of course is highly regarded and known as a rigorous program and that intrigued me to start out with. Then of course the fact that it’s a Jesuit program which was really important to me because of the Ignatian model of experience, reflection and action. All of that within an ethically grounded program is at the heart of what I really was looking for,” said Heckard. 
Heckard built skills he says prepared him for both of the paths he was considering. Then, five months before completing the degree, his direction became clear.  
“As it turned out, it didn't work out in my organization, at least not immediately, to be able to step up in a leadership role. But I found that there's so many opportunities that have come out of this education and this credential worked out right,” said Heckard.  
As he looks forward to the future, Heckard reflects on what the program has taught him. 
“The leadership skills that I got here and learning about servant leadership, honestly, I didn't know much of anything about it and the fact that ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ really is a preeminent school for that was fortuitous. That is something I’m going to be able to contribute wherever I go next.” said Heckard. 
What surprised him most, however, were the technical skills he gained. 
“I didn’t go into it expecting or seeking out the technical skills that I ended up getting. I’m building my own website, editing videos and that kind of thing. I have a gray beard and hair, so I didn’t see myself having or needing those skills ever and it was really fun to learn them.”  
More than anything, Heckard leaves the program with a renewed sense of purpose.   
“The confidence that I went back to school at over 50 years old and not only succeeded but thrived, it reinvigorated my passion for learning. That's something I'm going to have regardless of the credential. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is exceptional insofar as giving me the confidence that I can move forward, that I can keep growing, and that being a lifelong learner is something that still really excites and motivates me.”  
Brian Heckard, had spent 25 years in government service, most recently as an Intelligence Analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 
He knew he wanted something more, so he decided to ready himself for his next move by earning his Master’s in Communication and Leadership (COML) from ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´. 
“I always thought of myself as a lifelong learner and that was part of my joy and I kind of let that go. So, part of my plan to move forward and start to challenge myself again was to earn a degree and to pursue education once more.”  
But that goal meant he needed to find a values-based program flexible enough for him to balance his demanding job, a long commute and family life. 
“To get the kind of education I was seeking, I really needed to be able to do it online. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ of course is highly regarded and known as a rigorous program and that intrigued me to start out with. Then of course the fact that it’s a Jesuit program which was really important to me because of the Ignatian model of experience, reflection and action. All of that within an ethically grounded program is at the heart of what I really was looking for,” said Heckard. 
Heckard built skills he says prepared him for both of the paths he was considering. Then, five months before completing the degree, his direction became clear.  
“As it turned out, it didn't work out in my organization, at least not immediately, to be able to step up in a leadership role. But I found that there's so many opportunities that have come out of this education and this credential worked out right,” said Heckard.  
As he looks forward to the future, Heckard reflects on what the program has taught him. 
“The leadership skills that I got here and learning about servant leadership, honestly, I didn't know much of anything about it and the fact that ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ really is a preeminent school for that was fortuitous. That is something I’m going to be able to contribute wherever I go next.” said Heckard. 
What surprised him most, however, were the technical skills he gained. 
“I didn’t go into it expecting or seeking out the technical skills that I ended up getting. I’m building my own website, editing videos and that kind of thing. I have a gray beard and hair, so I didn’t see myself having or needing those skills ever and it was really fun to learn them.”  
More than anything, Heckard leaves the program with a renewed sense of purpose.   
“The confidence that I went back to school at over 50 years old and not only succeeded but thrived, it reinvigorated my passion for learning. That's something I'm going to have regardless of the credential. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is exceptional insofar as giving me the confidence that I can move forward, that I can keep growing, and that being a lifelong learner is something that still really excites and motivates me.”