Ruby Kumari, a 2003 graduate of Homestead High School, wanted to get her bachelor's degree in business administration, and being stationed overseas was not going to slow her down.

While deployed for nine months in Kosovo, Spc. Kumari, a member of the Indiana National Guard, earned 20 credits toward her degree, which she hopes to complete next year.

“I was taking two to three classes at a time, but we needed something to keep us busy so the time would fly by,” Kumari, 23, said.

So after eight to 10 hours of working daily in her unit - the 178th Finance Unit out of Indianapolis - and completing her other required activities, she hit the books, working toward a degree she hopes will further her career in the Guard and beyond.

“It wasn't bad. It kept me busy,” she said.

Kumari was, and still is, taking her classes through DeVry University, which offers undergraduate and graduate courses through various locations across the country and online.

In particular, the university offers a program catered toward those in the military - even those serving overseas.

“All of the military resources at DeVry make it possible for military students to access education before, during and after deployment,” said Bill Coit, dean of DeVry University's Indianapolis location, in a statement. “In addition to flexible online courses, DeVry has locations in 26 states across the country, so military students can continue their education at one of our physical locations if they are reassigned.”

Kumari said she can complete nearly all of her undergraduate degree online, except for the four classes she will need to take next year to graduate.

After completing her degree, she hopes to go to officers school and on to a medical or military intelligence career in the Guard.

“I want to do 20 years (in the Guard),” she said.

After that, the sky seems the limit for Kumari.

“I want to run my own business,” she said.