Online Student Spotlight

What are you studying? 

I am currently pursuing my degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law through FHSU Online, while also working toward certificates in Pre-Law Studies, Paralegal, Political Management, Public Administration, and Criminal Justice. 

What made you choose FHSU? 

I chose FHSU Online because it provides the flexibility I need to pursue my degree while balancing a busy family life, professional responsibilities, and advocacy work. The program allows me to apply what I learn in real time, directly connecting classroom knowledge to practical experiences in the legal field and my legislative initiatives. Beyond flexibility, what has stood out to me most is the strong sense of support and community—even in an online environment. I feel connected to faculty and classmates who share a commitment to growth, leadership, and service, which makes my educational journey both inspiring and impactful.

What do you hope to achieve with your degree after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to attend law school and build a career focused on law and public policy. My passion lies in accountability, due process, and creating positive change in the justice system.

Alongside my studies, I work at a law firm to gain valuable, real-world legal experience. Before entering this role, I spent over a decade in the insurance industry, where I developed strong skills in client advocacy, case management, and problem-solving. These skills now serve me well both academically and professionally, as I prepare for the next steps in my career.

What is your favorite part about online learning? 

My favorite part of learning online is flexibility. It allows me to balance being a full-time student while also working two jobs and raising a family. I also really enjoy the connections I’ve made with classmates across the country. It’s incredible how we can collaborate, share perspectives, and support one another—even when we’re miles apart.

Is there a particular course or project you have enjoyed? 

One of my favorite projects has been working on policy and legislative initiatives through my political science coursework. These projects have not only been academically enriching but also connected directly to advocacy efforts I’m passionate about in real life. Having professors encourage us to apply what we’re learning to real-world issues has been very meaningful to me.

What has been one of your biggest challenges when it comes to online learning and what have you done to overcome it?

The biggest challenge has been time management. Between school, work, and family, it can feel overwhelming. I’ve learned to overcome this by creating detailed schedules, setting aside dedicated study times, and staying consistent. I also give myself grace—some weeks are harder than others, and that’s okay.

What strategies have you used to connect with instructors and classmates? 

I make it a point to regularly participate in discussion boards and reach out to instructors whenever I have a question. I’ve found that professors at FHSU are incredibly responsive and supportive, which makes it easier to stay engaged. With classmates, I’ve connected through group projects, online study sessions, and the Online Student Government Association.

Are/were you a part of any organizations/clubs?

Yes! I’ve been involved with the Online Student Government Association (OSGA), which has been such a great way to build community and stay engaged beyond coursework. It has allowed me to connect with peers, share ideas, and work toward improving the online student experience.

Anything else you would like to share? 

I want to express how thankful I am for FHSU and the opportunities it has given me. The encouragement from professors and the online community has shaped not only my education but also my professional path. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here and use it to advocate positive changes in the justice system.

To bring in the new year – do you have any "resolutions" or specific goals you want to achieve this semester?

My biggest goal this semester is to finish strong. I want to maintain my streak of making the Dean’s List every semester while also completing my five certifications along with my degree. Achieving that milestone will be a huge accomplishment, especially while balancing school, work, and family. After graduation, I plan to take a semester dedicated to studying for the LSAT so that I can perform at my very best and pursue admission to law school. My long-term dream is to use my degree and legal training to be a voice for reform and fairness in the justice system.

 Beyond academics, I would also like to focus on advancing the legislative bill I have been working on in Kansas. Seeing this bill passed would be a powerful step toward creating due process protections and transparency for law enforcement officers, while also maintaining accountability to the communities they serve. It’s an area I’m deeply passionate about, and the progress we’ve made so far has been encouraging.

This semester, my resolution is not only to meet my academic goals, but also to keep momentum on the advocacy and legislative work that gives my education real-world purpose. I want to finish my time at FHSU on a strong note while building the foundation for the next chapter—law school and continuing the fight for meaningful change.

What are you studying? Online Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) in Information Analysis and Communication. I will be graduating after I complete the 2026 Spring Semester.

What made you choose FHSU?

Excellent accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and competitive tuition

fees comparable to other institutions. Additionally, the degree matched my career focus with regards to information analysis and communication.

What do you hope to achieve with your degree after graduation?

Using the knowledge gained from my FHSU experience is my number one priority. Also, I

consider myself a lifelong learner, so this may be a step towards enrolling in a PhD level

program.

What is your favorite part about learning online?

Frankly, receiving input from instructors where I might have improved with my research

and writing. The input from each instructor has been a tremendous help.

Tell us about a course or project you particularly enjoyed.

I have enjoyed all of my courses; however, the position paper that I wrote for Public

Policy, Law and Ethics in Telecommunications was particularly enjoyable. It afforded me

an opportunity to examine the Fourth Amendment and defend the position that

government surveillance programs over telecom networks is a violation of citizens’ right to privacy.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced with online learning, and how did you overcome them?

Biggest challenge: working a full-time job that is demanding and attempting to juggle

academic deadlines. This is pretty common for graduate level studies. I overcame this

one by sleeping less during the semester. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,

or more exhausted.

What strategies do you use to connect with your instructors and classmates?

Instead of responding to the minimum number of discussion posts per module, I try and increase the number of classmates that I reach out to. This has helped establish a

greater sense of connectivity and participation.

Have you participated in any online student organizations or university events?

I would have liked to, but my work schedule combined with my courses was what I

could handle. I went into this degree knowing that I would not be able to do everything

and learn everything that I wanted to.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the university community?

Just that FHSU is a superb place to study. Top notch instructors, and incredible material

to advance my knowledge base and writing/research skills.

To bring in the new year - Do you have any "resolutions" or  specific goals you want to achieve this semester? 

My main goal for the new year is to co-author and illustrate a book that I’ve worked on

for a couple of years. It’s a communication manifestation that I think I’m ready to

accomplish. Some things take time. All good things take hard work. So, I expect 2026 to

be a productive year along with my graduation from FHSU.

What are you studying? 

I am a senior and will complete my Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance in December. 

What made you choose FHSU? 

I chose FHSU based on 4 things: 1) I really liked the flexibility of the HHP program. I could pick my electives from a diverse group of courses. 2) affordability 3) the number of credits that were accepted from transfer 4) the ease in enrolling and accessing courses and professors.

What do you hope to achieve with your degree after graduation?

I want to continue on and get a Masters of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma and teach one day. I have a desire to deeply understand the human body and mind. The more I learn, the more I realize I still don’t know. 

What is your favorite part about learning online?

I really appreciate the flexibility with asynchronous online courses. It has made returning to school possible for me since I have a business, too.

Is there a particular project or course you have enjoyed? 

In cognitive psychology, we had to do a creative project. I built a brain out of clay. I enjoy any project that pushes me to work harder in an area that I need to improve like research and writing projects. After all, I am here to grow. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced with online learning, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge with the online format is we are basically teaching ourselves. If someone is an auditory learner they may struggle. I’ve always been an avid reader and this format has relied heavily on that. For some people, time management may be an issue. Once you develop a system that works for you and stay on top of things you will be ok. 

What strategies do you use to connect with your instructors and classmates?

Most of my classes have had mandatory discussion board participation. I email  the professor directly if it is a particular question.

Have you participated in any online student organizations or university events?

I have not participated in any activities. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with the university community?

I would like to address older people who are considering returning to school. I am 53 and feel like going back in my 50s was perfect. Don’t ever think you are too old to learn new things. This experience has taught me that no matter how hard or challenging something seems at first, I can always figure it out. I’ve been amazed at my personal growth through this experience. 

To bring in the new year- do you have any "resolutions" and/or specific goals for this semester? 

I have achieved a 4.0 in all of my classes at FHSU and I hope to maintain this standard through graduation.