An inspiring exploration of how women can reclaim their dreams and pursue meaningful growth at any life stage, challenging societal timelines and embracing reinvention over regret through education and lifelong learning.
Influential Woman · Higher Education
Shelly Bishop MA
Admissions Process Advisor III, Nightingale College
Tollesboro, KY
2021Years experience
1Article published
Her Story
About Shelly
Shelly Bishop serves as an Admissions aprocessor at Nightingale College, an all-nursing institution, where she has worked remotely for nearly five years assisting students from diverse backgrounds pursuing nursing careers. She earned her bachelor's degree in positive psychology with a focus on life coaching from Liberty University and her master's degree in the same field from Indiana Weslyen University. Currently, she is enrolled in a PhD program in Integrated Health with a concentration in Herbal Medicine at the American College of Healthcare Science. Bishop holds certifications in mental health coaching, life coaching, and beekeeping, and is pursuing Apitherapy
, Hive Air Therapy and Bee Venom certifications. Her professional interests include positive psychology, holistic health and wellness, and integrated health practices. She is a member of the American Herbalist Guild Association and Hives to Heros, and she is developing an apothecary honey business alongside her role in higher education. Bishop attributes her drive to family sacrifices and a commitment to empowering others, and she aspires to transition into faculty or curriculum development roles focused on integrated health.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
My motivation stems from reflecting on the women in my family and the sacrifices they have made. Their strength and resilience inspire me to keep pushing forward. The doubts and negativity of others have only fueled my determination to prove that I am capable of achieving my goals. However, one of my greatest sources of motivation is witnessing my students succeed. Receiving pictures of them during clinicals or celebrating their graduations reminds me of the purpose behind my work and the impact I have on their journeys. Above all, empowering others rather than competing with them ignites a passion within me. Helping others recognize their potential, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals is what truly inspires me to continue making a difference.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from the CEO of Nightingale College when I first started: “Everybody feels like an imposter, but you have to make your place in the world.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my professional journey. It reminded me that even accomplished, successful people experience self-doubt, and that feeling like you do not belong does not mean you are unqualified or undeserving of your place. The key is to believe in your abilities, embrace opportunities for growth, and step confidently into spaces where you may initially feel out of place. Over time, you will find yourself sitting at tables and engaging in conversations with people who once experienced those same doubts. Never let imposter syndrome keep you from pursuing your goals. You belong in the rooms you have worked hard to enter, and sometimes you have to believe in yourself before others recognize your potential.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up on your goals, and do not let imposter syndrome undermine your confidence in your abilities. Continue applying for opportunities, even when the responses are discouraging or you receive emails saying, “Maybe next time.” If there is an institution or organization where you truly want to work, remain persistent and continue pursuing opportunities there. Every application is another chance to demonstrate your qualifications, dedication, and passion. Eventually, your persistence may catch the attention of the right person and open the door to a meaningful conversation. Believe in your value, trust your journey, and remember that rejection is not always a reflection of your potential. Sometimes, success simply requires the courage to keep trying.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Transitioning from an administrative role to a faculty position in higher education can be challenging, even for individuals with extensive experience and advanced degrees. Many institutions prioritize candidates with prior faculty experience, creating barriers for those seeking to make this transition. Persistence, patience, and a commitment to professional growth are essential throughout the process. Faculty positions may not become available frequently, but this can also reflect a positive aspect of the academic environment: faculty members who are satisfied in their roles may be more likely to remain in their positions. Ultimately, staying focused, continuing to build relevant experience, and remaining prepared for the right opportunity are key to making this career transition successfully.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values are rooted in family, faith, and integrity. I believe in making decisions based on what is right, even when those decisions are difficult, and having the confidence and peace of mind to stand by them. Treating everyone with fairness, dignity, and respect is essential, regardless of their background, status, or circumstances. Above all, I believe in keeping family close, cherishing those relationships, and allowing faith and integrity to guide both my personal and professional life.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Shelly
It's Never Too Late: Why More Women Are Choosing Reinvention Over Regret
Discovering Your Purpose: Why It's Never Too Late to Pursue Your Dreams
Many women spend years putting their dreams on hold while caring for others, building careers, or navigating unexpected life changes. Yet some of the most inspiring stories of growth begin when women decide to invest in themselves again. Returning to school, changing careers, or pursuing a long-forgotten goal is not about starting over. It's about discovering what is possible when you choose growth over regret.
There comes a point in many women's lives when a quiet question begins to surface:
What about me?
For some, that question appears after years spent raising children. For others, it emerges after supporting a spouse's career, caring for aging parents, or dedicating themselves to a profession that no longer feels aligned with who they are becoming. The common thread is often the same: somewhere along the way, personal dreams were placed on hold.
As someone who has worked in higher education and studied positive psychology, I have had the privilege of witnessing countless women rediscover those dreams. What inspires me most is not simply their decision to return to school or pursue a new career path. It is their willingness to believe that growth is still possible.
The Fear of Starting Over
Many women considering a return to education share similar concerns. These are questions I have asked myself as well.
"Am I too old?"
"Can I balance school, work, and family?"
"What if I fail?"
These fears are understandable. Society often celebrates early achievement, creating the false impression that there is a timeline for success. Yet some of the most remarkable stories I have encountered involve women who returned to school in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
What they eventually realize is that they are not starting from scratch. They are bringing with them years of life experience, resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. These qualities often become their greatest assets in the classroom and beyond.
Many adult learners return to school with a level of focus and determination that comes from lived experience. They are often pursuing education with a clear sense of purpose because they know what matters most to them. I often tell my students, "When I graduated high school, my age may have said I was an adult, but I had no idea what I truly wanted from life." That clarity often comes from experience, not age.
Psychologist Angela Duckworth's research on grit found that perseverance and passion for long-term goals are strong predictors of achievement, often outweighing natural talent alone (Duckworth, 2016). Adult learners frequently embody this perseverance because their educational journeys are deeply connected to purpose.
The Power of Lifelong Learning
Research in positive psychology suggests that people flourish when they continue to grow, learn, and pursue meaningful goals. According to psychologist Martin Seligman's PERMA model, positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment all contribute to overall well-being (Seligman, 2011).
Lifelong learning is about much more than earning a degree or credential. It creates opportunities for personal development, increased confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. My philosophy has always been simple: if you are not learning, you are not growing.
I've seen women transform when they begin to recognize their own capabilities. A student who initially doubted her ability to write a college paper discovers a passion for research. A mother who worried she had been out of school too long graduates with honors. A professional seeking a career change finds herself leading initiatives she never imagined possible.
Education often becomes more than an academic journey. It becomes a journey of self-discovery.
Psychological well-being researcher Carol Ryff identified personal growth as a key component of overall well-being, emphasizing that individuals thrive when they continue developing their talents and expanding their potential throughout life (Ryff, 1989). With this in mind, I plan to remain a learner for the rest of my life.
Choosing Reinvention Over Regret
One of the greatest lessons I have learned from working with adult learners is that regret is often rooted not in failure, but in never trying at all.
Reinvention requires courage. It requires stepping into uncertainty and trusting that growth can happen at any stage of life. It means being willing to become a beginner again while recognizing the wisdom you have already earned.
The women who inspire me most are not necessarily the ones with the most impressive titles or accomplishments. They are the women who decide that their dreams still matter.
A Message to Women Considering Their Next Chapter
If you have ever wondered whether it is too late to return to school, pursue a new certification, start a business, or move toward a long-held goal, consider this your reminder:
- Your timeline is your own.
- Your previous experiences are not barriers. They are strengths.
- Your aspirations remain valid, regardless of age or circumstance.
For me, the journey of reinvention became deeply personal when I realized that motherhood was not in the cards for me. Like many women, I grew up believing there was a prescribed path to success: graduate, build a career, start a family, and devote yourself to caring for that family. When that vision of my future changed, I felt lost. I questioned my purpose and struggled to redefine what a meaningful life would look like.
Over time, I realized that my worth was never dependent on whether I became a mother. My value comes from how I choose to show up in the world and the impact I have on the lives of others.
That realization led me to ask a different question:
How do I want people to remember me?
The answer was simple. I want to be remembered as someone who helped others recognize their potential. Someone who encouraged people to pursue opportunities they thought had passed them by. Someone who changed lives for the better.
That purpose has fueled my own educational journey and my career in higher education. Every day, I have the privilege of watching learners, many of them women, overcome self-doubt and pursue goals they once considered impossible. Their courage continues to inspire me.
The decision to pursue growth is not selfish. It is an investment in your future and an example for those who are watching. When women choose to learn, grow, and reinvent themselves, they create a ripple effect that extends far beyond their own lives.
There is something incredibly powerful about a woman who decides that her story is not finished.
Because sometimes the most meaningful chapter is the one she is brave enough to write next.
About the Author
Shelly Bishop is a higher education professional, positive psychology practitioner, holistic wellness coach, and advocate for lifelong learning. She is passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths, overcome self-doubt, and pursue meaningful personal and professional growth. Through her work, she encourages others to embrace reinvention, resilience, and the belief that it is never too late to create a fulfilling next chapter.
Sources
Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being. Free Press.
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