Graduate Profile: Sheila
A conversation with Sheila Fowler Adams
Graduate, Bachelor's Completion Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice, UT Arlington; and
Graduate, Master of Public Administration, UT Arlington
UTTC: Sheila, like many of our students you came to the UT TeleCampus mid-career and midlife. Now here you are with not one, but two diplomas earned online. Congratulations! Tell us why you first enrolled in the CCJO program.
ADAMS: I had researched CCJO, among other online programs, and in my opinion the UTTC Criminal Justice completion program was my best option. I started the program and fell in love with it. The advisor and instructors were great. The program proved very challenging and informative. To my surprise, I was awarded a transfer student achievement award and had several stints on the Dean's list. Even though I was not on campus or in a formal classroom setting I always felt like I was part of the institution (UT Arlington). I was never made to feel different or 'less' because I was enrolled in the online program.
You transferred into the program from a community college. What had been your education and career history prior to enrolling in the program?
I've spent my entire life in rural Southeast Texas. I always loved education and was an honor student in high school, but secondary education opportunities were limited in my community. Shortly after graduating high school I went to nursing school at a local hospital and became a LVN.
Then I got married and had three sons, placing any hopes I had of earning a bachelor's degree on the back burner for a while. I worked as a nurse for more than 20 years.
Then, in 2000 I decided it was time to pursue my lifelong desire of obtaining a formal education. I enrolled in my local community college and after earning about 45 credit hours, applied to the CCJO program. I was accepted. Ergo, I began a journey that would ultimately lead me to the fulfillment of my lifelong dream.
Had you had any experience with online education prior to applying to UT Arlington?
I had taken a few online courses during my community college work. As a mature student I have the self discipline that online education requires. With where I live, the commute to a university would be an hour and a half each way - that's impossible.
A lot of people come into online learning with preconceived ideas about what it's going to be like. Was there anything that surprised you once you started learning via UTTC?
Yes! The other students were not what I expected at all. The classrooms were more diverse than I had anticipated. My fellow students were from all walks of life. They were from all over the U.S. as well as other countries. The diversity of the group brought a wealth of knowledge to the online learning experience for me.
What kind of support did you get along the way? Were your advisors or professors helpful to you as someone learning from a distance unable to just walk into various campus offices?
My advisor was great. Caryl Segal went above the call of duty and apparently does a lot. She's always looking out for the online students, helping us individually maneuver through the maze of higher education. She makes it clear that her ultimate goal is to see to it that your goals as a student are met, and that you graduate. She's a great asset to the CCJO program. She always made me feel like I mattered.
You put a lot of work into achieving your Bachelor's degree. What are some of the rewards you've realized from reaching that goal?
The greatest reward is how I feel about having accomplished this. This never would have been possible without the online program. Additionally, because of my education I've received a couple of promotions at work and now am in charge of my department. I graduated in 2004 with my Bachelor's and immediately applied to and was accepted in the online Master of Public Administration program. In May of this year I graduated with my master's degree. My greatest rewards are these accomplishments.
That's an impressive achievement! Were there any examples of interesting learning experiences or projects you could share?
Well one that comes immediately to mind was in the M.P.A.
program. We all participated in a mock Supreme Court hearing. We used a chat room setting and it was just unbelievable.
What advice would you have for students entering the beginning of this journey you've now completed? And for professors?
For students: do your research, talk to other students and share your experiences. For professors: remember how important it is for you to interact with your online students. I'd remind them to make sure they are available to their students.
What do you think, as someone who's earned two degrees online, is the biggest myth about online education?
That learning online is inferior to the face-to-face classroom. It
simply is not true.
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