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Adaecus Brooks ‘24, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant originally from Baltimore, Maryland, recently earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ (SNHU).

“Education has been part of my priorities since my beginnings in the Marine Corps,” he said. However, balancing it with military obligations wasn't always easy. When he finally had the opportunity, he took full advantage.

Brooks' passion for art started at the age of 5, and he carried that passion into the military. Initially working as a photographer, his interest in graphic arts grew while stationed in Iraq between 2006 and 2007.

When he discovered SNHU offered a degree in graphic design, he knew it was the right fit. “Once I found out, you know, they had a degree in it, I felt like that was my calling to get that particular degree,” he said.

One of the classes Adaecus took was the history of photography and digital printing. “That was very beneficial because it had me dig into programs that I've been familiar with before, but I was able to become more proficient in, like, InDesign and Illustrator,” he said.

Brooks discovered SNHU through a fellow Marine who had completed the program and recommended it. He said the university’s support for veterans was a major factor in his decision to enroll.

“They definitely support (military students), and I felt the support when I was going through the registration,” he said. The flexibility of the program allowed him to balance his studies with his responsibilities, even while being stationed overseas, he said.

Brooks has already begun applying his degree in his professional life. While graphic design isn’t a required part of his current job, he still finds ways to incorporate his skills. “Because I have that knowledge, I implement it and it works out very well,” he said.

On his education journey, Brooks sees his success as a result of good timing and opportunity. “Honestly, I think things have been consistent. It’s just that when I did the program, it was just at the right place at the right time,” he said.

For those thinking about furthering their education, Brooks has a clear message: It’s worth it. “I would say it's definitely worth it, especially when I've had my family there to support me,” he said.

Attending Commencement was especially meaningful, as his parents — who had never flown before — took a leap of faith to celebrate this milestone with him. “It’s beautiful,” he said.

Ollie Burkett is a writer at Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ, where he is pursuing his Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing. You can connect with him on .