Meet Scott

“It has been my focus to graduate as a Cougar—for 45 years,” says Scott Smith of Queen Creek, Arizona. “I’m not letting go!” Scott’s BYU story began when, as a kid growing up in Alaska, he visited Brigham Young University’s (BYU) campus when his older brother was a student there. “I got exposed to the students and the culture, and I have been in love since I was ten years old,” he says. After serving a mission for the Church and getting married, in 1992, he transferred to BYU from Arizona State University.  

Scott and his wife, Amy, who were already parents to one child, arrived in Provo ready to study together. But after their second child was born, they experienced unexpected financial troubles, and Scott was forced to choose between completing his degree or supporting his family of four (and growing). He and Amy chose to move on, but he says he always regretted not finishing his degree. 

Over the years, Scott built a career and had seven children with Amy, who, tragically, passed away in 2010. Scott explains that “as rough as it was” to lose his wonderful wife, he feels blessed that he eventually met and married Robin. Robin, who came to the marriage with four children of her own, is also “an incredible woman, says Scott. “How lightning strikes twice, I don’t know. I don’t ask questions.” 

As they began their marriage, Robin was finishing her Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree through BYU Continuing Education. After she graduated—and gave birth to a son, completing their family of 12 children—she was inspired to earn two master’s degrees from home. As Scott says, “I have to give Robin complete credit for inspiring me to [finish my degree].” With his life and family now in a more stable place, Scott realized “I have to step up my game!”  

Scott’s Bachelor of General Studies Experience

Scott enrolled in Continuing Education’s BGS program and chose an emphasis in Management. After dedicating his career to management, he was eager to expand his knowledge through his BYU courses. He says, “I was using the management things that I was learning to grow and increase and improve my management skills because I'm really good at that already.”  About a year ago, Scott started his own business, Akhada Consulting, where he puts his experience to further use.  

The decision to earn a BGS degree through BYU Continuing Education wasn’t a difficult one. He explains, “It was the only option that I really seriously considered because I couldn’t fit anything else in. This works with my schedule, it works with my family, it works with my wife’s support, it works with my kids’ support.” But just because it was easy to decide where he should apply doesn’t mean his path has been easy.  

Since beginning the program, Scott has worked to balance his business and education. He describes the experience using a saying by Confucius: “The person who chases two rabbits catches neither one.” He doesn’t allow this to dull his determination though. “It’s hard. It’s really, really hard,” he says, “and I will catch both—I’m going to prove Confucious . . . wrong.” 

Scott says that performing this “balancing act” has developed his practical skills and is something he’s learning from the BGS program: “I’m learning balance, and I’m learning how to—even at this point in my life—I’m learning how to commit and to see it through.”  

As Scott has made this effort, he has adopted skills that bless him in all aspects of his life. He’s excited to see the fruits of his labor, mentioning that building a career and business without a bachelor’s degree has “hampered” him. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t know things—far from it. But, as he says, “Just having [a degree] is a sign that ‘Hey, you can accomplish this. You’re willing to see it through.’” Scott is grateful for the BGS program: “I love the BYU Continuing Education program. It fills such an important role for people like me.” 

Scott’s Impact on the Community

Working on his degree and management abilities has benefitted Scott’s volunteer work with school districts in his community. Scott served for a time as a chairperson of the Queens Creek High School Site Council. That experience led him to work with the local school district, consulting with leaders on “everything from transportation routes to school expansion and school boundaries.” 

Scott is excited to see what other directions his degree will take him once he graduates in April 2025. He feels that his degree’s emphasis in Management has already opened doors for both his business and his volunteer service, and this is only the beginning.  

Final Thoughts

Scott is beyond grateful for the opportunity to earn a BYU degree while strengthening his management skills, and he doesn’t miss an opportunity. “This may sound silly,” he says, “but I work every class meaningfully.” He knows that with hard work and determination, paired with the flexibility of the BGS program, he can open doors that have previously been closed to him. 

Scott is not alone in this determination to pursue education despite a full work schedule and busy family life. In 2023, BYU Continuing Education served over 1,800 students and participants in the Tempe, Arizona, area. If you relate to Scott’s story, don’t hesitate to initiate the change you want to see in your life. As Scott says, “Dive right in. The longer you wait, the longer it takes. . . . So, what are you waiting for?”