Zhalda Penn, graphic design senior, is a non-traditional student at IU Southeast.

She is enrolled full-time, works two jobs on campus and helps raise two children.

Tyler, 9, and Jordan, 7, are the children of her boyfriend Jacob Knight, 34.

“It’s great,” Penn said. “They’re big balls of energy. They keep you young.”

Penn said the two children are very imaginative and have even mentioned they have imaginary friends.

Penn reconnected with Knight through Facebook but had known him from elementary and high school.

Knight is a resident of New Albany, and just finished his associate’s degree online through Phoenix University.  He is considering attending IU Southeast in the spring.

Penn said although she has her hands full with school, two jobs and two children, the biggest struggle is finding the right balance between everything.

Penn already has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from IU Southeast but will graduate in the spring with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
“I’m hoping the two will make me very marketable [to employers],” she said.

Penn lives in Georgetown, Ind. and used to work at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville as a graphic designer and communications associate, where she handled all graphic material, such as signs and advertisements from 2000 to 2009.

“It was really interesting,” she said. “I learned a lot.”

Penn started there as an intern and credits the job for her ability to become a stronger designer. She also credited the many different people she worked with and encountered in her time there.

Penn said the first time she met Muhammad Ali he performed a magic trick for her.

“[They] get my creative juices flowing,” she said.

Penn also helped out the communications director with fundraising, photo requests and autograph requests.

However, since it is a non-profit organization, she said they couldn’t always get autographs or photos.

In May 2009, Penn left to go back to school and pursue a degree in graphic design.

“She’s very driven,” Knight said. “When she finds something she wants to do, she does.”

Penn said she has already put her experience with graphic design to use by doing freelance design work, such as logos for companies.

Her most recent job was for Cypress Avenue, a local woodworking and custom furniture store.

She now works two jobs on campus, one in Admissions and the other in the University Grounds Coffee Shop.

In Admissions, Penn gives tours around campus to potential students.

She said she believes it helps to have a non-traditional student in that role to help guide future students.

Penn said the best thing about her job at the University Grounds Coffee Shop is all the different people she gets to see and encounter throughout the day.

“I love people,” she said.

Penn said with such a hectic schedule, she has to prioritize the right things, even though everything is basically a priority.

“I feel like I’m all over the place,” Penn said.

Knight said multi-tasking doesn’t seem to be a problem for Penn.

“It doesn’t stress her out like it would a lot of people, like I know it would me,” Knight said. “She’s an awesome individual.”

Penn said her friends work around her schedule so she can spend time with them, as well.

“I’m very blessed,” she said.

When it comes to Penn’s busy schedule, she said she admits it can be hectic but once she has a goal, she goes through with it.

By JOSH WILSON

Staff

wilsjosh@ius.edu