10/15/2026
“Somewhere along the way, I stopped asking myself, ‘Can I really do this?’ Now I ask myself, ‘How far can I go?’”
That’s how Alyssa Wowk explains her decision to pursue an master’s in social work at Keuka College while working full-time at Children’s Home.
Alyssa, who supervises the agency’s child and family treatment and support services in Sullivan County, has always been passionate about empowering youth with complex needs.
“Children don’t get to choose the circumstances they’re born into,” she says, “but those circumstances don’t have to determine who they become.”
Alyssa, a native of Roscoe, N.Y., earned her bachelor’s degree in human services (summa cm laude) while balancing her professional role and family commitments. She’s now working on her through Keuka College’s Business Partnership program, which offers discounted tuition and other benefits to participating employers across the region.
“I’m gaining the clinical knowledge and skills to show up for the kids who are the hardest to reach,” she remarks. “I’m becoming a stronger advocate and leader.”
Her advice to other busy professionals who are contemplating the next step: “Life isn’t going to clear your calendar and tell you it’s time to chase your goals. Sometimes you have to chase them in the middle of the chaos.”
Find out more about Keuka College’s flexible online and hybrid master’s programs for working adults at keuka.edu/grad.
