National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) was created to generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning while recognizing leaders and best practices in the field. This method of learning has taken center stage with the pandemic as it has been the only solution for students to continue with their education.
CW has known the benefits of Distance Learning for a while and has been evolving to improve our system. We offer our students high-quality education with the flexibility to balance their studies with work and home life. In honor of #NDLW2021 we celebrate with some of our students who have found CW as a resource to successfully obtain a bachelor's degree.
We begin with Shemin.
Who or what inspires you to earn your degree at CW? Why?
Going back to school to earn my degree was something I always wanted to do but never had the courage to take that leap. The one person that did inspire me is Avery. I’m her nanny. I’ve been taking care of her full-time for the past 8yrs. She’s the most loving, kind, and beautiful person. She was always telling me how smart I am. So when the pandemic hit in 2020, that summer, I signed up to go to college. After my husband, she was the only one that knew about me going back to school. She was so proud and wanted to tell everyone but I told her that she couldn’t say anything yet. I thank God I’m in my second year and a two time dean’s list recipient and recently have been nominated for membership in Beta Pi Gamma, The Westchester Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. I am so proud of myself for doing this because I’m 44 and going back to school, and I was so afraid to even pick up the phone to call the college.
How will earning your college degree change your life and the lives of your family members?
Getting my degree might not change my life drastically but as my Senior Admissions Counselor Mrs. Tandrie Jones said to me, “I have to invest in myself.” Getting this degree is one of my longest dreams that I had and I’m fulfilling it.
Who do you hope your story will inspire?
I hope to inspire anyone who is working a full time job that they can actually go back to school and be very successful at it.
How has online learning influenced your opportunity to earn your degree? Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
Personally, if I couldn’t do fully online classes it would have been very difficult for me to go back because I need to keep my job full time and I didn’t want school to interfere with my work schedule. I don’t think I would have gotten a degree if online was not available.