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Jen Villalobos’s journey to her degree wasn’t a straight path—it was a story of persistence, determination and the belief that it’s never too late to take the next step forward.

After graduating high school, she began work in a clinical associate training program offered through a Philadelphia-area nursing home and affiliated with a local hospital. Working directly with patients, Jen began to carve out what she imagined would be a career in nursing. But not long into her hands-on training, she realized it wasn’t the path for her.

Then, one day, in the hospital cafeteria, she happened upon a job posting board for a human resources position. On a whim, she applied—and got the job. That serendipitous moment marked the beginning of a decades-long career in HR.��

Starting as a clerk, she gained hands-on experience in nearly every corner of the field. She worked her way up through several healthcare organizations, holding roles such as HR assistant, generalist, professional technical recruiter and HR consultant.����

Jen’s career was steadily advancing, but life took a new direction when she got married, blended families with her husband, and welcomed two more children. She made the difficult but intentional decision to step back from the workforce to focus on raising her kids—especially her youngest son, who had been diagnosed with autism and was navigating developmental delays. For eight years, Jen dedicated herself to her family, prioritizing therapy, consistency and care. “My stay at home lasted a little longer because I needed to be sure my son had the tools and support in place to get him ready for school,” she says.

When her youngest started first grade, Jen knew it was time to return to her career. Reentering the workforce after nearly a decade was daunting—but she was ready. “That was one of the scariest things in my whole life,” she admits. “Eight years is a long time to be out, and so much changed in that time frame.”

She eased back into her career as an HR generalist at a small utility company and soon after saw an opening for an HR manager at Providence Animal Center—just down the road from her home in Media, Pennsylvania. She got the job and quickly rose through the ranks. But even after returning to the workforce, one goal still lingered: finishing her degree.

With the encouragement of her family, Jen enrolled in Villanova’s College of Professional Studies to complete her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS), majoring in Human Resources.

“I’ve always held Villanova in such high regard,” she says. “I almost felt like I had to pinch myself when I received my degree. I was so excited that I was able to accomplish a goal that I set out to do.”

The road to receiving her degree wasn’t without its challenges. As a working professional, wife, and mother of six in a blended family, Jen juggled a demanding job with part-time coursework.

Late nights, weekends at the dining room table and carefully scheduled study sessions became routine. Her husband’s support—and the help of her older children—made it possible to find balance in the chaos. “One of the benefits of having a blended family with older kids is that they were able to help out with things like homework for the younger kids,” she says. “It was a huge help.”

Though challenging, her experience at CPS was transformative. Courses sharpened her strategic thinking, instructors brought real-world insights to life, and collaboration with classmates fostered professional growth. “Before, I had the work experience,” she reflects. “But now, I understand the theory behind it. That’s been such a powerful combination.”

Villanova’s supportive academic environment helped her navigate areas she initially struggled with—particularly research writing. She built confidence and developed new skills thanks to Falvey Library’s online tools and professors who offered one-on-one guidance. “I’m very good at business writing,” she says, “but research writing is new to me. There’s a lot of information out there, and I sometimes would get flustered. The library and the professors were really helpful.”

With her confidence growing and her degree complete, Jen is continuing to build on that momentum—both academically and professionally. She currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer at Providence Animal Center, where she brings together her years of HR experience with the skills sharpened through her studies. At the same time, she’s now pursuing a master’s degree in Human Resources at Villanova, taking the next step in her commitment to lifelong learning and leadership.��

For Jen, earning her bachelor’s degree wasn’t just about checking a box—it was about setting an example. Recently, while her son was studying for his CPA exams, she asked how things were going. “He told me, ‘It’s going okay—but your energy has given me the motivation to keep going and to do well,’” she recalls.

It was a full-circle moment—proof that her commitment, discipline and persistence weren’t just changing her own life, but inspiring those around her. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 40s,” she says. “You can go back to school and make a difference. It’s never too late. And it’s a powerful example to set.”

That legacy is already continuing. Her daughter was recently accepted into Villanova’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing and will begin her studies this fall—making Villanova a family tradition built on determination and new beginnings.

Jen’s decision to return to the classroom has had an undeniable impact. She’s set an example for her family and grown professionally. Earning her degree has not only expanded her knowledge—it’s deepened her confidence. “Now I feel like I have a seat at the table,” she says.��

Where once she relied solely on instinct and years of on-the-job experience, she now approaches challenges with a new lens—grounded in theory, shaped by research and sharpened by critical thinking. “When I’m tackling a problem, I stop and think—what does the research say? What are best practices? Villanova taught me to think that way.”

What’s on the horizon? Jen is looking forward to completing her master’s degree, earning her SHRM certification, and maybe one day returning to the classroom as an adjunct professor, sharing her experience and passion with the next generation of HR professionals.

For Jen Villalobos, the journey to Villanova wasn’t fast or linear. But it was hers—and she’s walking into this next chapter with pride, purpose and the momentum to keep going.