Rodney Holton, MLS ’25, proves that with the right balance of discipline, innovation and strategic thinking, it’s possible to advance your career while being present for what matters most.
For much of his time in William & Mary Law School’s online Master of Legal Studies program, Holton was up at 5 a.m., helping his two boys get ready for school. By 6 a.m., they were on the bus, and he’d be logging into his workday as an employee relations business partner at RELX–UK. This early morning routine represents more than just good time management—it’s the foundation of a carefully orchestrated balancing act that allows Holton to pursue his Master of Legal Studies at William & Mary Law School while maintaining his responsibilities as a single father and full-time professional.
The Art of Strategic Scheduling
“It’s all about scheduling,” Holton explained when asked about his secret to success in the online MLS program. “You have to make time for your studies.” For Holton, that means a disciplined routine: work from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., then transition to student mode from 5 to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesdays are sacred—his designated break day. Weekends are for getting ahead.
“I usually try to stay ahead,” he noted. “If any classes allow you to work ahead, I would usually try to take the weekend and work a week or two ahead to give me grace in the event that something happened with one of the kids.” This forward-thinking approach has proven invaluable, creating flexibility when family needs arise while maintaining academic momentum.
The strategy extends beyond his home office. When traveling, Holton carries two bookbags—one for work, one for school. An avid bowler, Holton often finds himself traveling for the sport. “When I’m done bowling or whatever, if I’m out for the weekend and I have work that needs to be done, I just put up my laptop at the hotel and do what I have to do.”
Perhaps most importantly, Holton’s academic journey serves as a powerful example for his children. “I would always tell them there’s no excuse. They’re like, ‘I’m tired.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m working, I’m tired, I’m working and going to school, and you just have to go to school. So if I can have my GPA that I have, then you can at least have a 3.0 or better.’” With both boys having graduated (his youngest just finished this past year), Holton’s modeling of perseverance and educational commitment has clearly paid dividends beyond his own career goals.
Pioneering Spirit: Embracing the New
When William & Mary Law School reached out to Holton about their new online MLS program, his response wasn’t hesitation—it was excitement. “They were talking about it being a new program that they were launching,” he recalled, “and I like to be a part of things that are new. So I was like, I’ll do it.”
This willingness to be an early adopter speaks to both Holton’s adventurous spirit and his strategic thinking. Rather than waiting for a program to establish its track record, he saw the opportunity to help shape something innovative while meeting his own educational goals. His decision to join the inaugural cohort of the MLS program demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking approach that has characterized his entire academic and professional journey.
The choice to pursue online education wasn’t just about innovation—it was about practicality. “I’m a single parent, and I have two boys who were in school at the time,” Holton explained. “So it just made it easier for me to be able to attend online versus going on campus. And we didn’t live in Virginia, so it just made my life easier.”
From Classroom to Boardroom: Immediate Impact
One of the most striking aspects of Holton’s experience has been the immediate applicability of his coursework to his professional role. “Pretty much every class that I’ve taken has touched on my role in some type of way,” he reflected. This isn’t just theoretical learning—it’s practical skill-building that’s transforming how he approaches his work in employee relations.
“My writing has changed to be more strategic when dealing with reduction in forces and when we’re looking at the broader picture of events to take place,” Holton said. The program has given him “a better understanding of why the decisions are made or where they came from, or what they’re thinking when they’re planning on making some adjustments in-house.”
This enhanced strategic perspective is exactly what Holton hoped to gain when he decided to pursue postgraduate education. His goal was to develop more experience and a higher-level understanding of how businesses operate. He also wanted to gain a better understanding of legal challenges while working with compliance departments.
The timing couldn’t be better. As Holton looks toward his post-graduation career goals, he has his sights set on a specific target: aviation compliance. “I want to go into aviation,” he stated confidently.
Holton recognizes the strategic value of his MLS concentration in Compliance and Risk Management. “I think it’s versatile enough where I could go different places,” he noted. “You have multiple areas of compliance. You have health compliance, legal compliance and other areas within different organizations. If I want to go into the airline industry, there’s a compliance division there.”
The Home Stretch
As Holton approaches his Fall 2025 graduation, he’s already seeing the return on his investment of time, energy and early-morning discipline. The program has not only prepared him for his next career move but has also provided a powerful example of lifelong learning for his children and a model for other working parents considering graduate education.
For prospective students wondering if they can manage the demands of online legal education alongside work and family responsibilities, Holton’s advice is clear: “The biggest thing is time management. There’s going to be times when you’re not going to want to do the work. Take the first two weeks of school, and if the professor allows you to work ahead, then work ahead for at least a week or two to give you that breathing space you may need later on.”
His journey through William & Mary’s MLS program proves that with the right combination of strategic planning, innovative thinking and disciplined execution, it’s possible to advance your career while staying present for life’s most important responsibilities. As he prepares to transition from employee relations to aviation compliance, Rodney Holton exemplifies the kind of strategic career development that the MLS program is designed to support—and the kind of balanced success that makes both professional achievement and family commitment possible.
Expand Your Career Horizons With the Online MLS Program
Ready to explore how William & Mary Law School’s online MLS program can fit into your life and career goals? Learn more about our Compliance and Risk Management concentration and other program offerings.
An MLS equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a go-to professional who understands both the operational realities of compliance management and the legal nuances that underlie them. The online MLS in Compliance and Risk Management is designed specifically for working professionals who want to lead in this space without becoming attorneys.
The comprehensive curriculum blends legal theory with practical application and is taught by expert faculty with extensive industry and academic experience.
To get started, review our admissions requirements and connect with an admissions outreach advisor today to learn how you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling career with an MLS.