Kelley McKee never intended to take distance education courses. She graduated from high school, went into the military, obtained a paralegal certificate, got married, had a son and worked as a legal assistant. However, her life was changed forever in September 1996 when she fell and broke her neck. She became a quadriplegic at age 27.

After her accident, she was unable to return to her job as a legal assistant.

"The accident changed my outlook on life," said McKee, "and I immediately looked to education, since I had no formal degree." Those efforts were put on hold after she found herself pregnant with twins in the spring of 1997.

Then in the summer of 1999, McKee contacted the World Campus, Penn State's Distance Education program, to begin a bachelor's degree in letters, arts and sciences.

"At first, when my children were younger, I started off slowly," she said, adding that the Penn State program allowed her to work at her own pace. "Now I have more time."

McKee will complete her degree this semester, and she hopes to go on to obtain a master's degree in clinical psychology. "The World Campus made it possible for me to get an education," she said.