When Jessica Wheeler walks across the stage at PennWest California in May, it will mark more than the completion of a degree. It will represent a decision she made years ago to change course — and invest in herself. 

At 38, after nearly two decades working in newspaper circulation and distribution, Wheeler began to see her industry shifting. 

“I saw the writing on the wall,” she said. “People will always need news — but they don’t need paper.” 

What followed wasn’t uncertainty, but clarity. 

“I didn’t want to be bored. I wanted to do something meaningful,” she said. 

Now 43, Wheeler is graduating with a degree in English education, preparing for a career shaped by both experience and intention. 

A path shaped by family 

Wheeler’s journey didn’t follow a traditional timeline. While raising her two children, she built a career — often with her kids along for the ride as she delivered newspapers — and later played an active role in their education through cyber schooling. 

“I really enjoyed working with my kids and education,” she said. 

With her family’s support, she made a plan — knowing it would require sacrifice. 

“This is going to be difficult. I’m going to be busy. I’m going to be tired,” she told them. 

She started at the Community College of Allegheny County, where her involvement led to a competitive transfer scholarship to PennWest California. 

Finding her place at PennWest 

At PennWest, Wheeler stayed focused while still pushing herself to grow. She served as editor-in-chief of the Cal Times student newspaper, an experience that helped her build confidence and rediscover a connection to writing. 

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could be a writer,” she said. 

Her PennWest experience has also been personal. Her daughter Alivia, a sophomore, chose to attend PennWest California as well. 

What began as a plan for independence became a shared journey — even placing them in the same class at one point. 

Today, both are pursuing careers in education. 

“We thought she should go somewhere else and have something of her own,” Wheeler said. “But PennWest just made sense — financially, academically, everything.”   

Through student teaching, Wheeler has gained experience in both traditional and online settings. She taught ninth-grade English in the Charleroi Area School District and completed a placement with Commonwealth Charter Academy. 

Those experiences have helped shape her goals while reinforcing what she values most: helping students succeed in environments where they feel supported. 

More than a degree 

For Wheeler, returning to school has been about more than preparing for a career. 

“It’s never too late,” she said. “The sacrifices I made were worth it . . . The experience alone has been so fulfilling.” 

Returning as an adult brought a new perspective. 

“I don’t think I would have appreciated it the same way in my 20s,” she said. “Now, when I accomplish something, I feel proud of myself.” 

As she prepares to graduate, Wheeler carries that sense of pride — and a renewed confidence in what comes next. second act, years in the making, is just beginning.