Grad Profile: Dejanai S.

Bachelor's of Science - Criminal Justice, 2025

Dejanai didn't go back to school for a title. She went back to challenge a system she believed was broken. There's a lot of problems going on with our legal system at the moment, she explains. So I decided to be a lawyer.

After earning her associate's degree at AIU in 2023, Dejanai returned for her bachelor's in criminal justice with a clear sense of purpose and a drive to create real change.

Balancing school with the demands of daily life wasn't easy. Dejanai was working full time, managing a household, and caring for her family, all while pursuing her degree. Juggling those responsibilities tested her focus and endurance, but she stayed committed to her long-term goal, helped by AIU's flexible format which let her manage coursework on her own time.

She also found support in the discussion boards, where interaction with classmates made the online experience feel more human and motivating. Even solo projects like essays and intellipath^® tasks felt more collaborative. There was a lot of discussion about our essays, Dejanai says. Everyone was trading ideas with each other. I loved it. I love doing it. One classmate in particular showed up every week with encouragement and feedback. She was amazing, Dejanai says. I loved her.

Now, with her bachelor's complete, Dejanai plans to pursue a master's degree and ultimately her law degree to become a criminal defense lawyer. You have to go and reach for the stars, she says. Because at the end of the day, when that star's in your hand and you see it, it is always worth it.