SPOTLIGHT: DECEMBER 10, 2024

Laura Pavlus (2022)

Organizational Management

SJR State honors one of its own in an alumni salute, celebrating the career milestones, community contributions and personal reflections of those who began their collegiate journey as SJR State Vikings.

Congratulations SJR State alumna Laura Pavlus! She earned her Bachelor Of Applied Science In Organizational Management in 2022 and is now the new President of the Putnam County Chamber.

As a military spouse for 16 years, Pavlus said she was never in one location long enough to finish her bachelor’s degree. It was a huge frustration, but her priority was to support her spouse’s career first and foremost. “When I started working in Florida, I quickly understood the necessity of finishing my degree to be competitive in the local market,” Pavlus said. “Add to that, my boss at the time had just finished his through SJR State and I was inspired by his success.”

Pavlus said her career was getting to the point where she was casually asked where she earned her degree. “I was sick of giving the explanation and feeling insecure that I hadn’t finished,” she said. “Finally, I made a promise to myself that if there was an area of my life that made me insecure, I would handle it instead of trying to just cope with the insecurity.”

“I like to say that college degrees are like doorways, not ladders,” Pavlus continued. “I had reached a point in my career where I was hitting a glass ceiling without a degree. This degree has made it possible for my career to advance and I am looking forward to the next challenge.”