A Dedication to Public Service: Rhon Glasgow’s Journey At Empire State University

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — MAY 16, 2024) Rhon Glasgow, like many Empire State University students, was seeking a change of direction and looking for a school that would provide him flexibility while he worked long hours in restaurants and retail.

“I remember my high school principal went back to school to get his master’s degree and doctorate of education and the school he graduated from was SUNY Empire,” Glasgow said. “It was a no-brainer.”

Glasgow wanted to go back to school and work in the public sector. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business management and economics, Glasgow said he was presented with multiple opportunities. Now, he serves as the campus director of operations for KIPP D.C. in Washington, D.C.

“I chose to work in the charter school world because I wanted to work with children,” Glasgow said. “My strengths were around finances and building systems. It wasn’t aligned with being an educator, but I can be in a role that supports your educators.”

Upon completing his bachelor’s degree in 2022, Glasgow continued his academics by working toward his master’s degree in business administration and a graduate certificate in project management. He will walk across the stage in Empire State University’s Manhattan Commencement Ceremony on May 17, 2024. Glasgow said he felt his decision to go back to school helped prepare him to be successful in his new career.

“I’m around people who are highly educated and it’s important that we are aligned,” Glasgow said. “Going back helped me speak a common language with my team and learn the underlying reasons about how plans came about, who created it, and how to teach other people how to implement it. I got the finite details to be able to communicate those things to other people.”

Glasgow received the Richard L. Brodsky Scholarship for Public Service in 2021 for his commitment to a career in public service and his past volunteer work in New Orleans and communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Glasgow said he is especially motivated to continue working in public service because he did not feel represented by the adults around him growing up.

“I think every student should have at least one safe adult in their school building they can go and talk to,” Glasgow said. “Growing up in New York, I think the first time I met a male educator was seventh grade. Can you imagine going seven years in school and never seeing anyone that looked like you?”

Glasgow said he wanted to avoid that experience for other students and be someone they can identify with and then visualize themselves in a similar role. Glasgow said he’s achieved that dream through his new role and degrees at Empire State University.

“When I show up to campus every day, I have students that looked just like me and my little brother,” Glasgow said. “It reminds me every time why I do this. Every time I see them, my face lights up.”

Glasgow said when it comes to his academic journey, he proved it’s never too late to get a degree and change course.

“If it’s really what you want to do, there’s a way,” Glasgow said. “It may be hard. There’s a lot of 20-hour days, but don’t give up and don’t let other people talk you out of doing it.”