When Alysia Hernandez moved back to California in August to be closer to family, she carried with her a renewed sense of purpose. Her journey has been anything but easy. Growing up with a teenage parent, Alysia faced financial instability, attended 15 different schools, and often cared for her younger siblings. At 18, she left college after becoming a parent. In 2023, the passing of her grandmother and her unwavering faith reignited her determination. “I can do all things through God who strengthens me,” she says.
Since returning to school in October 2023, Alysia has earned an associate degree from WSU Tech and is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree at WSU, with graduation planned for 2027. With nearly a decade of experience in the promotional products industry, Alysia is investing in her education to grow personally and professionally—and to set an example for her daughter. “I want her to know it’s never too late,” she says.
Currently serving as a Key Account Manager at Ball Pro, Alysia has been part of the promotional products industry since 2016, gaining extensive experience in building strong client relationships and bringing creative ideas to life. Now, she is excited to deepen her knowledge of business and management as she works toward a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Management, with the ultimate goal of advancing into an operations management role.
Why did you choose an online program?
As a single mom with a full-time job, I really value the flexibility that an online program offers. It allows me to balance my work, family, and education while learning at my own pace and on my own schedule.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge or benefit of online learning?
The most unexpected benefit of online learning has been the wide range of resources available to me. My professors go above and beyond to share videos and materials that align with our coursework, and they also connect us with additional programs and groups within WSU that enhance the overall learning experience.
How do you stay connected with your classmates and instructors in a virtual environment?
One of my professors introduced us to Yellowdig, which has been a great addition to the class. It allows me to engage in meaningful conversations with my peers, even though we don’t meet in person. I’ve also found Blackboard and email to be excellent tools for staying connected with my instructors and keeping communication consistent.
What advice do you have for prospective online students?
My advice would be to find a strong support system—whether it’s friends, family, or fellow online students who can encourage you along the way. And don’t be afraid to ask questions! There’s truly no such thing as a dumb question. I’ve discovered so many helpful resources simply by reaching out and asking.
How do you balance work, family, and school?
During the fall, my job tends to be slower, so I can get some homework done while at work. In the spring, I usually wait until my daughter is asleep to focus on my studies. For bigger exams or projects, I let her know ahead of time if I need some extra quiet time to get work done.
What's your go-to way to recharge after a long day balancing everything?
There are a few things I enjoy doing to unwind. On a day-to-day basis, I like to grab an iced coffee and take a drive. When I have a little more time, like on weekends or after a big exam, I love going to the beach and listening to the waves.I want to highlight things that the system does that fail homeless and drug addicts. Things homeless people need most, lockers!! They constantly have to fight to keep what little they have. I also believe I can make a huge difference as someone who once was homeless due to a legal system that criminalizes poverty and takes away people's only means to work over traffic citations. It makes no sense and I want to get to the heart of it and make some noise. Too many people needlessly struggle and are punished because they have no money to pay fines and astronomical court costs. Enough is enough.
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
I plan to grow into an operations manager role, either within my current company or elsewhere in the promotional products industry.
Meet Ashleigh!
Ashleigh is originally from Pittsburg, Kansas, and works full-time on campus as a dispatcher for the Wichita State University Police Department. Guided by a lifelong passion for helping others, she has found that serving in law enforcement is the perfect way to make a meaningful impact. When she’s not busy with work or school, Ashleigh loves spending time outdoors with her family and relaxing with a good book.
What has suprised you along your educational journey?
I was most surprised by the opportunities I have received. I thought life had to happen in certain steps like graduating high school, then graduating college before getting a job. Wichita State has completely changed my mindset on this because I was able to immediately get employed in the field I want to work in through WSU. This university has so many opportunities for people to apply what they learn and get experience in what they want to do. I'm a firm believer that you'll learn more in the field than you will in a classroom and WSU has really helped me get that boost.
What advice do you have for prospective online students?
Embrace the opportunity that online classes provide, but understand taking online classes may take more discipline to log on to a computer for the required timeframes. Traditionally, most classes are offered on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Friday format and you can develop a routine based on your class schedule. With online classes, it is more of a self-paced or self-driven learning style. You are given the learning material and assignments, but have to rely on yourself to utilize the material available to learn and complete the work. Despite not being face to face with any instructor or professor, they still want you to succeed. If you find you are struggling or need help, just ask. Everyone has some topic or situation they will struggle with, but knowing when you need clarification or assistance is crucial, and when you reach out and ask the instructors are there to help.
How do you balance the myriad of responsibilities you have?
Good time management is necessary but taking care of yourself has to be a priority. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get a degree, but taking the time to work on hobbies or do something you love will make it so much easier to handle. One thing that helps me, especially with being away from my family, is to be present in the time I have with them. This helps reduce the stress that comes with constantly working a lot but it also helps me build stronger connections with those whose support I rely on. Being a first responder, having a good support group and taking care of myself really goes a long way in keeping me happy and healthy.
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
I've always wanted to work in patrol somewhere but I've found myself wanting to work in a more investigative position. I love the idea of helping the people in my community by keeping them safe and making sure they are getting the support they need. However, there's a lot of investigative work that I get to do as a dispatcher and I've come to love doing the research and hard work that comes with making the connections that solve a case.
Meet Brandon!
What made you decide to get your bachelor's degree as an adult learner?
I began outgrowing my career. My income wasn't growing with my skills and I was already in a high percentile of industry earners. I didn't have any opportunities outside of what I was doing, frustration grew, and I felt it was time to move on.
What have you found to be an advantage of being an adult learner?
Traditional students I quickly realized have very few, and sometimes no, soft skills. I've also found that myself and adult peers are more intentional.
What has suprised you along your educational journey?
I'm not the smartest, and I came in thinking I need to work harder than everybody else to keep up. There's is truth to this, but more than you might think don't even do the bare minimum. Work ethic is so much more important than anything else.
What advice do you have for prospective adult learners?
It's easy to make excuses but it is important to work past them to find what is possible. Start somewhere. There is a quote I really like along the lines of "how do I fix my life when it is a dumpster fire and everything is wrong? You put out one dumpster fire at a time. Good choices accumulate. Eventually the dumpster fires become manageable."
How do you balance the myriad of responsibilities you have?
I don't. Sacrifices are a part of it. Sometimes I have to cancel appointments, sometimes I forget, but I make an effort to show face and many people know me. I have received comments from classmates because they feel like they seem me everywhere. I don't always have time to do the homework or study for that test tomorrow, but the homework isn't due until tomorrow and I studied for the test a couple days ago. I can't always go out and have fun or spend time with my wife but I have regular times to consistently give to relationships. Maybe I get a headache this day, fall I'll, or receive a concussion (yes, this happened).
I communicate, and have a good attitude. It has never been an issue. It is also a
great testament to spreading out workloads, and managing time, throughout the week.
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
I'm leaving doors open. If I had told myself a year ago where I was and what I was doing today, I would t believe me. That's is the beauty of opportunity. It happens fast and where you least expect it.
However, I think getting into management like project managing, program managing, manufacturing operations are broad goals right now I'll refine through my degree. I enjoy engineering but I have a business mind and a sales background, I would like to deal with money and business at some point next to engineering responsibilities. How I get there? Well, I can't predict the next year I'm afraid to predict the next ten.
Meet Lawson!
Why did you choose an online program?
I chose an online program because it gives me the flexibility of learning without being tied to a classroom. It allows me to partake in internships/employment during "normal office hours" and studying later in the evening.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge or benefit of online learning?
The best benefit of online learning is that you can truly drill the material by rewatching lectures or learning at your own pace. I am able to rewind and replay recordings, and there is much less distraction compared to sitting in a giant lecture hall.
How do you stay connected with your classmates and instructors in a virtual environment?
As you progress through your major, you begin to recognize classmates progressing with you. I've connected with an OAL student who lives in Kansas City and we've kept in touch for several semesters now! I reach out to my instructors by email and schedule virtual office hours. I've been told that online students tend to not communicate with their professors, and in doing so, my name and face sticks. I was able to establish mentee-ship with several faculty members.
What advice do you have for prospective online students?
A fully remote, asynchronous learning environment is perfect for you if you dislike traditional lecture formats. You must be steadfast and disciplined in your studies as no one is telling you "come to class at xyz time." Self-advocacy is key.
How do you balance work, family, and school?
I came to Wichita State University knowing that I wanted to complete my degree in the shortest amount of time possible, and this translated to heavy course load semesters. There are seasons in life where you have to sacrifice certain parts of yourself in order to achieve your goals.
Whar's your go-to way to recharge after a long day balancing everything?
I take a bath.
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
I would like to give back to my community by volunteering my expertise.
Meet Pam!
Pamela (Pam) Nelson is a 55-year-old student, wife, mother, sister, and proud MS warrior. Born and raised in Kansas, Pam cherishes what she calls the most wholesome childhood imaginable. Originally from rural Salina, she first attended Wichita State University years ago, where she loved living in the “big city” and met her future husband.
Together, they built a full life and raised two children—now thriving adults, with her daughter working as an attorney in Arkansas and her son serving in the Army learning Russian. Although Pam never finished her degree at the time, she recently decided it was never too late to chase big dreams. Inspired by her family and faith, Pam returned to WSU to complete what she started over 30 years ago. She couldn’t be more excited to finish her degree and pursue her dream career, proving to herself and others that perseverance makes anything possible.
Why did you choose an online program?
I chose this program to sync the credits I have already earned as a former WSU students. I am currently out of state so online was my option!
What’s been the most unexpected challenge or benefit of online learning?
The most unexpected challenge for me was getting to know Blackboard! It threw me for a loop at first! The benefits of online learning for me are many! First, i can get things done at any time that works with my schedule. Also, I need extra time on most things due to my Multiple Sclerosis, so being online let me go over assignments and lectures multiple times to get the optimal comprehension.
How do you stay connected with your classmates and instructors in a virtual environment?
I stay connected with my classmates and instructors virtually, by checking in and responding to emails and making sure to post to the group discussions when they are presented.
What advice do you have for prospective online students?
My advice for prospective online students is to not let fear take hold, but take action. I truly wish I would have done this years ago!
How do you balance work, family, and school?
Honestly, I was hard for me, at first to balance work, family and school. My children are grown, but I have made it a priority to really take care of may husband and pets. I have traded all home cooked meals from scratch to some premade meals and I have let myself know that is okay! My daughter also asked my husband to be sure to step up his game as far as housework, and he does!!!
What's your go-to way to recharge after a long day balancing everything?
I recharge by going to bed early, before my husband. I check my calendar for the next day and then take some time to read or watch TV with my sweeter cat, Duffy!!!
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
Well, my first plan is to have my family, especially my children witness me getting my diploma! Secondly, I plan to work somewhere in the Aging Community system, just not sure which opportunity I will choose!
Meet Patrick!
Why did you choose an online program?
The online program gave me the flexibility I needed for my family and my job.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge or benefit of online learning?
The benefit of online learning was the independence of handling my studies in my own time where I could be ahead of schedule when I could versus on time.
How do you stay connected with your classmates and instructors in a virtual environment?
I use email, but as I am a bit of a homebody and introvert, I don't utilize the available communication tools very often.
What advice do you have for prospective online students?
Advice I would offer to online students is to stay motivated, remember your "why," and stay focused. It's easy to get off track, but if you stay organized, keep a schedule, and even try to get ahead on the assignments you can, you'll be in great shape.
How do you balance work, family, and school?
Since school is online, I'm able to work on assignments before, on breaks, and after work. My husband has been integral in balancing chores and taking care of ourselves while we both work hard.
What's your go-to way to recharge after a long day balancing everything?
I do love a little bit of reality tv. Recently, I watched the American and UK versions of "Love is Blind." Also, I am catching up on video game backlog in my free time to decompress.
What do you plan to achieve with your degree?
I am looking to become a counselor and therapist who works with families, couples, and individuals to navigate life's challenges. More specifically, I plan to focus on couples counseling, sexual concerns, LGBTGIA+, and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, cluster B personality disorders, and eating disorders.