KU News Release

Graduation stories: Master’s student completes degree despite long commute

Jeff Woodward

LAWRENCE — No one doubts Jeff Woodward’s educational drive — it’s about 150 miles long.

Since 2004, the Belleville professional and graduate student has made a 300-mile round-trip commute to take classes at KU’s Public Management Center in Topeka. He completed KU’s Certified Public Manager program in Salina in 2003 and this month will graduate with a master’s in public administration.

“The CPM was such a good experience, I wanted to do something further,” said Woodward, an engineer with the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Last fall, Woodward added another 130 miles to his commute by taking a financial management class at KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

“I needed an elective, and that was an elective that really interested me,” he said.

To review for his weekly classes, Woodward sometimes would record lectures and listen to them while driving. He said it was a good way to study and save time, especially important for a husband and father of three.

Woodward said the logistics of his commute had been challenging but worthwhile. He said he had a gained knowledge relevant to his career goals and that his writing had improved.

“With the commute, it’s taken five years to complete my degree,” he said. “But it was a great experience.”

After graduation, Woodward plans to continue working for KDOT but is interested in city/county administration. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is married to Denise Woodward and has three children: Dylan, Maggie and Riley.

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