August 29, 2019, changed everything for Jason Herman, a 2023 Penn State Great Valley graduate.

He had been accepted into an Executive MBA program and received a promotion to global project manager at JP Morgan. He was working from home that day but drove to the office to attend a party being held for him.

Herman was on his motorcycle, going the speed limit and wearing proper protective gear. Then, a car pulled out in front of him, and they collided.

Among a litany of other injuries, Herman’s chest was crushed and he sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The severe TBI certainly changed Herman’s life, but he defied the generally poor prognosis. He was released after that and spent six months in a wheelchair, followed by three months using a walker.

After about a year of recovering, Herman decided he was ready to earn his MBA, but the school didn’t feel like the correct fit anymore. Instead, Herman decided to enroll in Penn State Great Valley’s MBA program to realize that childhood dream.

The social aspect of interacting with professors and classmates was difficult at times, particularly early on. Herman credited adjunct faculty member Rick Wall with being especially helpful in aiding him with adjusting to the program and to life after sustaining a TBI.

Wall, a former volunteer for the Brain Injury Association of New York State, has a family history with TBIs.

The two discussed TBIs and recovery extensively, with Wall offering advice on how to manage the social and emotional hurdles Herman faced, as well as how to relate to and work with his new classmates.

The injury and initial challenges didn’t hold Herman back, and he graduated this past May with a 3.6 GPA.

“I could not have been prouder,” Herman said. “Yes, for attending and graduating from my childhood dream school. I think most can connect with me on that. But overcoming a serious TBI to adjust, and even excel academically despite my setbacks, gave me reason to celebrate.”

Read more about the Penn State Great Valley graduate’s journey to recovery and achievement on Penn State Great Valley’s website.

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