INA, Ill. (August 21, 2026) — For Rend Lake College graduate Jonathan Gulley (Pinckneyville), earning his Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees this past Spring 2026 came down to a mix of practical job experience, personal accountability and knowing when to keep moving forward.
Gulley’s journey started at Pinckneyville Community High School, where he took advantage of dual credit courses to get a head start on his education. Those early classes gave him an early expectation of what higher education requires.
“Dual credit courses can provide an outlook to what actual college will be like,” Gulley said. “They show you what is expected in college, and you can get a feel if continuing in that direction is right for you.”
When he transitioned into a full-time RLC student, the flexible course options made stepping up to campus life smooth. Evening and online classes allowed him to build a schedule that worked for him. The real adjustment, he noted, came down to self-discipline.
“The biggest obstacle was being more responsible than I had been in high school,” Gulley said. “For me, college wasn't challenging, but it required more attention than high school. The first challenge was taking the initiative to study just a little more and take time to do the homework correctly after learning the material.”
During a stretch away from campus, Gulley gained valuable real-world perspective working at a factory, a gas station, and eventually a local coal mine. That time in the workforce helped him see the bigger picture and reshaped his mindset on finishing his education. As his career interests evolved over time, Gulley decided to shift away from his original degree path and pivot toward a program better suited for university transfer. Thanks to the solid foundation built through his early dual credit coursework, he was able to make that transition seamlessly without delaying his path to graduation.
“What changed my perspective is that the jobs out there without a degree, while they can pay well and have good benefits, they are just jobs,” Gulley reflected. “You might find something you like, but a degree can help you find something that you want to make a career out of.”
Jonathan Gulley (left) with his diploma at the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony along with Andrea Banach (center) and his sister, Autumn Gulley, who also graduated the same day.
Determined to cross the finish line, Gulley returned to RLC this past year to complete his remaining coursework. Along with his own drive, key support on campus helped him navigate the final stretch. He credited Andrea Banach, Dean of Pinckneyville Campus Advancement and Outreach, for helping him recognize how close he was to achieving his goal.
“Other than showing up, and simply doing the work, the one thing that helped me finish was Andrea showing me that the finish line was right there if I just did the work that needed to be done,” Gulley said.
Crossing that finish line also brought a special family milestone. Driven in part by a friendly sibling rivalry to earn his degree ahead of his younger sister, Autumn, Jonathan achieved his goal just in time for the two siblings to walk together in the Spring 2026 RLC commencement ceremony.
Now, with both his AA and AS degrees officially in hand, Gulley isn't slowing down. Driven by his recent success, he plans to keep the momentum going by pursuing a bachelor’s degree program.
Whether you're starting fresh or returning to finish your degree, RLC is here to help you start your journey. Explore flexible scheduling in our A.M.P. program, dual credit opportunities, short-term certificates and degree options today. Contact RLC Advisement at 618-437-5321 ext. 1266 or email advisement@rlc.edu.
