Phillip Howard finds his next career path at Ohio University Chillicothe

When Phillip Howard first stepped onto the Ohio University Chillicothe campus, he was not seeking a life‑changing experience. He simply wanted what he calls “a piece of paper.”

Last spring he earned his first “piece of paper,” a diploma for his Associate in Applied Science in Human Services Technology. This spring he will earn his second Ohio University degree when he graduates with a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Howard’s goal to earn a college degree opened a door for transformative learning and growth. Along the way, he found purpose, connections and a calling he never expected.

A retiree, disabled combat veteran and first-generation college student, Howard wanted to earn a college degree for himself, but also to set an aspirational example for his children.

“I never thought I would get here…I had done a lot of things, but I didn’t have a degree,” he said. “I wanted to show my kids that if I can do it with everything I have going on, they can do it too.”

Overcoming barriers 

Before Howard could enroll at OHIO Chillicothe, he had to overcome a decade-old academic setback from an earlier attempt at college while in the military.

“I had to beg to come to school,” he said, describing the “deficiency points” that nearly blocked his enrollment as a student supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.

With support from Ashlee Tatman, director of student services, he wrote letters, made his case, and was eventually admitted with funding from the VA. 

“She pushed so hard when I first got in… just her backing me meant a lot,” he said.

Finding his place in social work

Howard’s life has featured service in many roles. In his youth, he served as a paperboy for The Columbus Dispatch. He has served his community and his country as a mailman, a firefighter, in the military and as an officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. So human services and social work felt like a good fit for him.

As he began work on his associate degree, his classes began to resonate. Howard said when he began his internship last semester with Ross County Children’s Protective Services (CPS), everything clicked.

“I found a niche,” Howard said. “I really liked working as a CPS investigator,” he said. “I couldn't think of a more meaningful clientele than children. It (the internship) helped me realize that I have a lot of strengths when it comes to talking with children, being able to meet people on their level and to de-escalate a situation in person.”

Howard said his internship with CPS allowed him to apply and better understand some of the concepts he had been learning in his social work classes.

Nikki Newman, an assistant professor of instruction in social work, said Howard’s transformation has been remarkable to witness. 

“When Phillip first joined my class, he was quiet and often questioned whether he belonged,” she said. “Over the past year, I’ve watched him grow into a confident, capable social worker who truly understands the impact he can make. As a non-traditional, first-generation college student, he brings resilience, humility, and determination to everything he does. Through his internship with Child Protective Services, he is making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, while also lifting up and encouraging those around him.”

As part of the University Partnership Program (UPP), Howard takes special child welfare courses in addition to completing his field placement with CPS. He receives an experiential learning incentive for his work at CPS. A specialized training pipeline for future child welfare professionals, the UPP is a collaboration among the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, 12 of Ohio’s public university departments of social work, the Ohio University Consortium for Child and Adult Services, the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, and Ohio’s 85 Public Children Service Agencies. 

Balancing school, work and parenthood

Howard is the father of four biological children and three bonus children and gained custody of his youngest daughter soon after launching his college career. He said balancing his coursework, internship and parenthood has been challenging, but he continues to prioritize family. 

Building a support system

Throughout his academic journey, Ohio University faculty members helped Howard navigate challenges and believe in his own potential. Howard said professors Matthew Smart, Alorah Henson, Nikki Newman and Stacey Saunders-Adams all played a pivotal role in his success as a student. From guiding him in his transition back to school to serving as a sounding board or supportive advocate, Howard said each of these professors made a difference and helped him persist in his journey toward degree completion.

Gaining global experience

One of the most transformative experiences of Howard’s college career came when he traveled to Thailand with a group of other Ohio University students as part of a study abroad experience led by several OHIO faculty members. He fed elephants, explored ancient temples, learned from local artisans and spent time in a mountain village he had only ever read about in a social work textbook.

“The trip taught me that things like age and cultural differences don't matter as much as people think they do,” he said, noting that interacting with the elephants was one of the most peaceful experiences he has ever had.

Collecting more than a degree

Tatman, who helped Howard through the admission process, says his journey illustrates the transformative power of an Ohio University education.

“He wasn't here to make friends…his goal was to get it done and get out,” she said. “Now he's about to graduate with his bachelor’s degree, having had some incredible experiences like studying abroad and a career‑shifting internship.”

Howard planned to be at OHIO Chillicothe for two years. Instead, he discovered a passion for social work, a global perspective and the confidence to consider graduate school. “I think I've come a long way,” he said.