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Kyla Johnson-Curtis Earned Her Degree After Retiring From the Military

Kyla Johnson-Curtis, a 2025 SNHU grad who earn her bachelor's in operations management with a concentration in logistics and transportation holding her diploma in front of a yellow background.

Meet Kyla

SNHU Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Operations Management
Graduation Year: 2025
State: Tennessee
Fun Fact: She recently retired after more than two decades of military service

Kyla Johnson-Curtis '25 didn't let retirement slow her down.

After serving more than two decades in the U.S. Army working in logistics, the Tennessee native decided to earn her bachelor's in operations management with a concentration in logistics and transportation at Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ (SNHU).

Kyla Johnson-Curtis, a 2025 SNHU grad who earn her bachelor's in operations management with a concentration in logistics and transportation holding a Tennessee flag in front of a yellow background.

Fresh out of the military and still mulling over her next chapter, Johnson-Curtis needed a program she could complete on her own time and on her own terms. “I was kind of trying to figure out if I wanted to go back into the workforce, (or) just stay home and take a break from doing 22 years in the Army,” she said. “(SNHU) just gave me the ability to get my degree without any hassle.”

She chose her course of study to complement her on-the-job knowledge, and because she knew she would enjoy it. “Logistics is near and dear to me because I did it for 22 years,” said Johnson-Curtis. “Knowing both sides of the coin — whether it's doing it for the military or in the civilian world — it was very beneficial to learn a wide range of courses in the business operations management field.”

She said she also appreciated how SNHU approached its military students. “I definitely feel like SNHU understood the needs of military service members," she said. “It affords us the opportunity to earn our degree, whether we’re here in the United States or overseas, abroad, at war.”


How Kyla earned a Business Degree after 22 years in the military

 


What's Next

Kyla Johnson-Curtis, a 2025 SNHU grad who earn her bachelor's in operations management with a concentration in logistics and transportation holding a SNHU flag in front of a yellow background.

Now, Johnson-Curtis is ready to put her business knowledge to work in a new direction. She said she plans to open her own hair care products business, focused on providing natural, healthy options for Black women.

Looking back, she said earning her degree changed her. “I would say what has changed about me from the start to the finish is my confidence in knowing that I can do anything and knowing that I have a wide range of people that stand beside me, in front of me and behind me,” she said.

For Johnson-Curtis, the journey was worth it. “I didn't have the confidence that I have now,” she said. “And I finished. I did it.”

A decorative dark blue and yellow icon of a book with a lightbulb in front of it.

With no set class times and regular weekly deadlines, earning your degree online can offer you the flexibility to fit your studies around personal and professional commitments. Learn more about what flexibility looks like in an online degree program.

Rebecca Cahill '26 is a content marketing assistant and writer at Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ (SNHU). She completed her bachelor’s in creative writing and English at SNHU and is now pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Based in Ohio, she has also written for FreshWater Cleveland and The Land and serves on the board of Literary Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you'll most likely find her nose in a book, dogs at her side, surrounded by way too many houseplants. Connect with her on .

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About Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ

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SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs. Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.