When Hurricane Laura struck in 2020, it forced Cerenity Malveaux to rethink her future.
Originally from Lake Charles, Malveaux was pursuing a nursing degree when the storm shut down her school. Relocating to Lafayette became a necessity, but it also gave her the chance to reconsider her path.
“I realized I was in nursing for all the wrong reasons,” she says. “It didn’t really suit me, and I began to wonder if I’d be happy in that career.”
Exploring her options led her to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s online Health Services Administration program. The blend of business and healthcare felt like the perfect fit — one that aligned with her natural leadership skills and long-term goals.
“I knew I’d be better suited for the administrative side of healthcare,” Malveaux says. “Once I found this program, everything just clicked.”
Adjusting to Online Learning
Starting a fully online program was a new experience. Malveaux quickly discovered that virtual learning didn’t mean learning alone.
Through study groups and GroupMe chats, she built a support system that helped keep her on track.
“I never felt lost,” she says. “Even online, I always had someone to reach out to. The professors in the health services administration program do a great job of making sure students feel supported and connected, and I ended up making some great friendships through the online program, too.”
Malveaux managed part-time work, church responsibilities, and school with an organized approach that kept everything in check.
With a calendar in hand and reminders set on her phone, she learned that success in an online program is all about accountability.
“You really have to stay on it,” says Malveaux. “You're not going to a physical class where you may be reminded about deadlines. It’s all about time management and learning how to prioritize.”
Launching a Career in Health Services Administration
Malveaux witnessed the real-world value of her education as she completed her program.
“I could see how everything I learned in the program was preparing me for a role in healthcare,” she says. “The program taught me discipline, professionalism, and to take my time and not rush the job.”
When she received an offer for the role of patient access representative at Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics, it felt like everything had fallen into place. The skills she gained in the program were directly applicable to her new position.
“I'll be dealing with patient insurance, records, and things like that, so the tech coursework will really help me in this role,” she says.
Through courses like LCHI 466: Health Information Technology, she worked with the tools and processes she’d soon be using in the field — from database architecture to cloud computing and system development.
Though the journey wasn’t always easy, Malveaux’s experience in the program taught her that persistence pays off.
“It will test you, but every challenge will be worth it in the end.”
Kickstart your healthcare management career with UL Lafayette’s health services administration online degree program.
