Like the rest of his family, Jace Nugier graduated from high school in 2012 and went straight to work, building experience across retail management and sales roles.
After several years, though, he decided he wanted more for himself and his career.
Nugier enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on campus in 2019 with goals of becoming a teacher, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans.
“During the pandemic, everything in my life just got crazy,” he says. “I had a change of heart and decided to take a break from school.”
With time, the idea of finishing his degree returned. By then, he was back to working full time in sales, and his career goals had shifted.
“I’m a big people person, and I decided I wanted a human resources role where I could recruit, train, and onboard new employees,” he says.
Nugier did some research and found UL Lafayette’s B.S.B.A. in Management online degree program. The program offers an HR Management concentration that’s recognized by the Society of Human Resource Management as meeting industry needs and standards.
Through the online bachelor’s degree in management, Nugier found the flexibility and knowledge he needed to keep moving forward in his career.
Finding Balance & Seeking Support
Nugier developed his time management skills to succeed as a student while working full time.
During the week, he used his lunch breaks to write discussion forum posts or watch his instructors’ lectures. After work, he went straight home, made dinner, and focused on larger assignments, like papers, quizzes, and exams.
“I always tried to give myself off on Saturdays so I could have a rest day,” he says. “Every Sunday, my family and I eat lunch together. After Sunday lunch, I’d try to give myself a headstart on assignments for the coming week.”
Support from his family and the online student support staff at UL Lafayette motivated Nugier to keep going.
“My parents were a huge support system for me,” Nugier says. “I could tell they were disappointed when I withdrew from college during COVID, and they were really encouraging and proud when I came back to finish online.”
Meanwhile, his academic advisor Lyric Randell helped him set a pace that worked for his learning style.
“I have a hard time keeping up with accelerated eight-week classes, and Lyric was always helpful with finding 16-week classes for me to take so I wouldn’t be as stressed,” he says. “Any time I emailed her, she was super responsive and got back to me within a few hours.”
Gaining New Skills & Knowledge
Nugier has felt drawn to human resources throughout his career, especially as he’s taken on HR-related duties in his retail management roles.
Courses like MGMT 365: Human Resources Management and MGMT 415: Employee Relations helped him build on that interest and sharpen his understanding of the field.
In those classes, he explored everything from core human resources functions to organizational development and contract negotiations.
Catherine Chauvin, senior instructor in the Department of Management, played a large role in Nugier’s success in the program and in the workplace.
“In both MGMT 365 and MGMT 415, Ms. Chauvin sent out a lot of course announcements encouraging my classmates and me to make sure we were submitting quality work for our assignments,” he recalls. “Her classes really helped me understand that in any role, you have to apply yourself at a high level, or people won’t take you seriously.”
Becoming a First-Generation Graduate
Nugier earned his bachelor’s degree in management in May 2026 at the age of 31. He’s the first in his family to earn a college degree.
But he’s not finished yet.
He recently transitioned into a human resources role with his current employer, an industrial workwear supplier. In August 2026, he’ll start classes in the University’s MBA program online.
“Returning to school for your degree at any age is an accomplishment,” he reflects. “I’ve taken classes with people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Having that hands-on work experience helped me see the bigger picture in my classes and connect the dots between what I was learning and how it plays out in real life.”
Though there may be bumps in the road, it’s important to keep moving, he advises.
“Don’t fear failure because it’s all part of the process. When I first came back, I wasn’t sure how to best manage my time, but eventually, I found a system that worked for me. It’s OK to step outside your comfort zone.”
Step outside your comfort zone and move forward in your career with a bachelor’s degree in management from UL Lafayette.