Jan and Paul Bradburn are business people. They met in New York City in 1986 when Paul worked on Wall Street and Jan was at Fidelity. They owned the international franchise for Subway and TCBY for Ireland and ran those stores in Kilkerry.

When Jan’s mother got ill in her native Clovis, Jan returned to care for her. She got involved with the Workforce Training Center to educate and train unskilled workers. The Ireland business turned unsatisfying; they sold out. Paul came to Clovis, sight unseen, to live permanently. “This is not the place I would choose to live, but it grows on you. The people are so good.”

Jan’s work led to teaching at the local community college. Paul got an MBA at Eastern New Mexico State; he was offered a teaching position upon graduation. “What’s incredible about my journey is that I thought I was a big deal on Wall Street, then in running companies, but I’m happiest the past twelve years teaching.”

Jan shifted to teach at ENMS as well. She’s developed a course in ‘Social Economics’ to explore the economic implications of what people really care about: healthcare, sports, the environment, education. She’s also a fan of the dual-enrollment system that allows high school students to take college level courses, for credit, for free, while still in high school. “Students can get up to 45 hours of general education credits before they arrive on campus. That is a big savings.”

Last year, Paul had a large tumor removed from his brain: a twelve-hour operation, followed by another to thwart a hemorrhage. His recovery is excellent, but his memory has gaps. He stopped classroom teaching but still teaches online classes. Jan has also shifted to teaching only online.

Paul explained the differences between teaching online versus in person. “I prefer to teach face-to-face. Business is about the numbers. If you don’t know the numbers you can’t control the business. Teaching math online, the students only get the book. Now, ENMS is offering combination classes where I go into a studio and record a lecture. Students can attend live in person, or watch real-time, or watch later. Some classes, like global business, are better suited to online application.”

The Internet not only allow ENMS students more options about how to learn, it enables people like Jan and Paul, both past age 65, to keep involved in their work at a level better suited to aging. They have converted the formal living room of their home to a work office and online teach at their own time and pace. Paul’s brain surgery has changed his habits; he’s become a regular afternoon napper. Working online allows him to accommodate that change. “When you’re young, sleep is your enemy. As you age, you embrace it.”

How will we live tomorrow?

“With naps.” – Jan

“I am just proud to stand up and be here. What I’ll do tomorrow is what I did today.” – Paul

“Our goal is to teach better business and better ethics.” – Jan