Royal Oak, MI – For Detroit native Raphael Mostyn, going back to college was a decision he made for himself. Finishing his degree wasn’t originally on his radar, but as a business owner and someone determined to keep growing, he eventually decided it was time to complete what he had started.
What began as a personal goal has become one of the more fulfilling chapters of his life. His previous college credits transferred seamlessly, and Baker also recognized his real-world work experience toward his degree requirements. The experience has given Mostyn the flexibility he needed without taking away from the purpose behind his education.
“The ability to take fully asynchronous, online classes and work at my own pace, all while pursuing my degree in Business Administration, made the decision an easy one,” Mostyn said.
Baker’s accelerated pace was another factor that appealed to him. Being able to take twice as many classes in the same timeframe has allowed Mostyn to keep moving toward his goal of earning his degree.
The value of the experience has gone beyond simply making progress toward graduation. As a business owner, Mostyn has been able to immediately connect what he learns in class to the work he does every day.
“My classes have been immediately relevant to what I do every day,” Mostyn said. “The emphasis on practical application has given me the skills and confidence to continue successfully running and growing my enterprise.”
For Mostyn, that connection has made the journey especially meaningful. He isn’t simply learning about business in a classroom. He is taking those lessons back to his own business, putting them into practice and seeing how they can help him become a better leader.
Along the way, he has also found encouragement from the people at Baker who have helped him stay on course. Dr. LaTasha Ellis, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, has been especially influential, providing support and accountability throughout his journey.
“She was instrumental in making my transition seamless, offering constant support and holding me accountable every step of the way until I was fully prepared and ready to run the race,” Mostyn said.
As he works toward graduation, Mostyn plans to continue growing his business and apply what he has learned to become a stronger business leader, entrepreneur, and supervisor. But perhaps the most meaningful part of returning to school has been realizing that his journey can mean something to other people, too.
“I originally went back to degree completion just for myself,” Mostyn said. “But experiencing Baker showed me that this journey is also for the people around me and showing them what’s possible when you partner with an institution that genuinely works for its students and offers real pathways to succeed.”
For Mostyn, earning his degree is about more than finishing something he started years ago. It’s about recognizing what he is capable of, growing into the next version of himself, and showing others that it’s never too late to keep moving forward.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at Baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.
