Aiken, SC –– Online degree programs through USC Palmetto College are transforming lives — and Keisha Nunez’s story proves it. On December 11, Nunez will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from USC Aiken, thanks to the flexibility and accessibility of Palmetto College Online.
Growing up in the South Bronx during the crack epidemic, Nunez faced challenges that could have derailed her future. Neither parent graduated from high school, and one could not read English. Raised by her grandparents, she learned resilience early on. “Many people thought I wouldn’t amount to much from where I began,” Nunez said. “But my grandfather pushed me and my brother to keep learning, which is probably why I am the first of my family to obtain a college degree.”
Now in her 50s, Nunez is not only completing her bachelor’s degree but preparing to start a Master of Mass Communication program at the University of South Carolina in the spring, with plans to pursue a doctorate. Her journey began with online community college courses during COVID and continued through Palmetto College Online, which provided the flexibility she needed as a working mother with a demanding full-time job.
“Keisha’s story illustrates exactly why Palmetto College exists,” said USC Palmetto College Chancellor Craig Wilson. “Whether caregivers or employees, students can receive a quality education through on-campus, online or hybrid delivery to help them balance their academic goals with family and work responsibilities. Her success shows that with the right support and access, dreams that once seemed out of reach can become a reality.”
Through Palmetto College Online, students can complete bachelor’s degrees online in partnership with USC Aiken, USC Beaufort, USC Columbia and USC Upstate. They can also earn associate degrees online or on-campus through USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, USC Sumter and USC Union. With nearly 40 online degree-completion programs in fields like business, education, nursing, criminal justice and communication, Palmetto College offers affordable, flexible pathways for working adults and nontraditional students.
For Nunez, the program’s adaptability and strong faculty support made all the difference. “My professors were always willing to hop on a call when I was stuck on an assignment,” she said. “Between their support and knowing Career Services is here to assist me, I have the tools to achieve my goals.”
“Keisha is a great success story and one of the reasons we have online degree-completion programs in both communication and emerging media through Palmetto College,” said Dr. Jason Munsell, chair of the communication and emerging media department at USC Aiken.
Nunez graduates with a 3.9 GPA, induction to Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society, and plans to launch a business focused on crisis communication and rebranding consultation. Her story underscores the mission of Palmetto College: to provide accessible, affordable, and flexible online degree programs for South Carolinians and beyond.
Ready to finish your degree online? Learn more at palmettocollege.sc.edu.