Credit for Prior Learning: Kaylan discovers the value of her career 

When Kaylan Mumford's youngest son graduated from high school, she found herself with something she hadn't had in years, time for herself. A wife and mother of three adult children, Mumford decided to use that time to pursue her Master of Business Administration at the University of Memphis. 

As a longtime corporate professional and international tax advisor at FedEx, Mumford had years of experience behind her. Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), she chose the portfolio pathway, documenting the knowledge and skills she had developed through her career and providing evidence of her learning for academic evaluation.  

“I didn’t realize how much I had accomplished until I started writing about all of those professional experiences,” she said. “It added up quickly for me.” 

Her portfolio grew to more than 100 pages before she began cutting it down. The process gave Mumford a chance to step back and recognize the impact of her work. She saw systems and programs she had implemented, documents and reports she had created, and contributions she had made over the years.  

“You don’t realize how much you’ve contributed to an organization,” she said. “You start looking at the systems and programs you’ve implemented and realize, ‘Wow, I did a lot.’”  

Now, with graduation planned for May 2027, Mumford has a message for other adults considering a return to school: “Every day you wake up, you have time. You’re never too old.” She encourages working professionals to keep a record of what they learn and accomplish throughout their careers, then take the time to recognize its value. “It does matter when you’re contributing to an organization,” she said.  Her advice is simple, "Don’t minimize what you do." 

To learn more about Credit for Prior Learning and explore whether your learning could count toward your degree, visit www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/

Navy veteran turns 23 years of service into a head start on college

After 23 years in the U.S. Navy, Brian Balleza has a new mission: earning his college degree. Through the University of Memphis Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, he is turning years of military leadership and management experience into college credit, shortening his path to graduation by approximately a year.

Originally from Merced, California, Balleza enlisted in the Navy at 18 to see the world and pursue a different future. His career took him to 22 countries and multiple duty stations, including Millington, Tennessee. Along the way, he built a career in administration, human resources and leadership, eventually retiring in September 2026 as a Chief Petty Officer.

Memphis became more than another duty station. After returning to the area three times, Balleza decided to make it home. As retirement approached, he earned his real estate license and began considering his next steps. He ultimately enrolled at the University of Memphis to pursue a degree in business administration and management, beginning a new chapter before his military transition was even complete.

“I just decided, I’m just going to go to school,” he said.

Balleza discovered CPL through his own research. After submitting his military transcript, he learned that his Navy experience in management and leadership qualified him for college credit.

The award made a tangible difference in his degree plan. Combined with traditional courses he had completed during his service, the CPL credits put him approximately a year ahead of where he otherwise would have been.

“That’s time I get back,” Balleza said. “To know that I don’t have to do that very long because of the time I’ve gotten back is a blessing.”

His military experience has proved valuable beyond the credits themselves. Balleza said the time management, routines and practical knowledge he developed in the Navy have helped him navigate his first college semester. Concepts introduced in class often connect to work he has already done, giving him a different perspective on what he is learning.

Now, he plans to build on that foundation. While gaining experience in residential real estate, he is looking toward commercial real estate consulting or corporate development. He hopes to earn an MBA after completing his undergraduate degree, combining his education with the leadership and professional experience he already brings to the field.

Balleza is also breaking new ground in his family. Although several generations of his family served in the military, he is the first to attend college. His younger brother is among the first in the family to retire from military service, and Balleza's own daughter is attending the University of Alabama while he pursues his degree.

For other military-connected students considering college, Balleza recommends starting with the resources already available to them.

“Use their resources, like the University of Memphis Veterans Office, they really helped me out,” he said. “Talk to your advisors, talk to the CPL coordinator, don’t be afraid to take that first step.”

For Balleza, the end of a distinguished military career has become the beginning of something new. His service gave him years of experience. CPL helped him put that experience to work toward his degree.

“I’m feeling really accomplished and I’m just starting.”

professionals to keep a record of what they learn and accomplish throughout their careers, then take the time to recognize its value. “It does matter when you’re contributing to an organization,” she said.  Her advice is simple, "Don’t minimize what you do." 

To learn more about Credit for Prior Learning and explore whether your learning could count toward your degree, visit www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/

 CPL helped Destiny make education fit her outside the classroom

When Kaylan Mumford's youngest son graduated from high school, she found herself with something she hadn't had in years, time for herself. A wife and mother of three adult children, Mumford decided to use that time to pursue her Master of Business Administration at the University of Memphis. 

As a longtime corporate professional and international tax advisor at FedEx, Mumford had years of experience behind her. Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), she chose the portfolio pathway, documenting the knowledge and skills she had developed through her career and providing evidence of her learning for academic evaluation.  

“I didn’t realize how much I had accomplished until I started writing about all of those professional experiences,” she said. “It added up quickly for me.” 

Her portfolio grew to more than 100 pages before she began cutting it down. The process gave Mumford a chance to step back and recognize the impact of her work. She saw systems and programs she had implemented, documents and reports she had created, and contributions she had made over the years.  

“You don’t realize how much you’ve contributed to an organization,” she said. “You start looking at the systems and programs you’ve implemented and realize, ‘Wow, I did a lot.’”  

Now, with graduation planned for May 2027, Mumford has a message for other adults considering a return to school: “Every day you wake up, you have time. You’re never too old.” She encourages working professionals to keep a record of what they learn and accomplish throughout their careers, then take the time to recognize its value. “It does matter when you’re contributing to an organization,” she said.  Her advice is simple, "Don’t minimize what you do." 

To learn more about Credit for Prior Learning and explore whether your learning could count toward your degree, visit www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/www.memphis.edu/cree/cpl/