Category: Featured

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

Meet Nick Gowan! Nick is a UofL Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS OLL) student with a track-focus in Project Managment. We asked him some questions about his online BS OLL experience—let’s read his responses below!    

Why did you select the BS OLL program/Project Management track? 

I have always been a part of large projects, both individually and as a team, throughout the early parts of my career. I knew I wanted a future in capital project management, so this track aligned perfectly for what I was looking for to advance my career.   

What are you enjoying most about the program?  

The accelerated courses and the flexibility of the online format are great attributes of the OLL program. Although I prefer “in-person” courses, I work a very demanding, full-time schedule which makes the online format much easier to manage. And although this program is only online, the instructors are very flexible and they are always there when you need them—willing to meet via Teams whenever needed throughout the semester. They have been, as well as my advisor, incredible throughout my time in the OLL program. 

Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career? 

I absolutely believe that the OLL program provides me with the necessary skills needed to be successful and allows me to continue to grow and advance my career. The courses that I have taken have proven to be very relevant to professional challenges that I see daily, whether it is related to Leadership, Project Management, Organizational Challenges, etc. Every course that I took in the OLL program allowed me to either reflect on past situations and analyze them or take what I have learned and apply it directly to my day-to-day professional situations. 

 

Would you recommend the program? Why?  

I would recommend this program to anyone (which I have). Especially to someone that is in a similar situation to myself when I entered the program. I went through a four-year tool and die apprenticeship after high school, which was full-time work and full-time school. During that four-year period, I knew I wanted more out of my career, so once I graduated as a Journeyman Tool Maker, I went back to school to complete an associate degree and started to plan for a bachelor’s degree. This is much harder to do once your career has started and you are working a very full and quite hectic schedule. My boss at the time, who is an alum of the OLL program, recommended the program to me and I have not looked back since. I intend to pursue an MBA after graduation with UofL’s Professional part-time MBA program. 

Where are you from?  

Taylorsville, KY.  

Where do you currently work, and what is your role?  

Diageo, as a Distillation Supervisor. 

Any closing thoughts?  

Being a UK fan my entire life, the OLL program and the OLL/UofL staff made the decision to enroll at UofL much easier than I ever could have imagined! As I continue to further my education with UofL in the OLL program and beyond, I genuinely feel that I have made connections and found resources that will last a lifetime.  

 

We are grateful to Nick for his thoughtful answers to our questions and for taking the time to share his experience with us! You can learn more about the BS OLL degree and Project Management track here.   

Sodaba Rahmaty: Refugee, Tornado Survivor, UofL Online Student 

Sodaba Rahmaty: Refugee, Tornado Survivor, UofL Online Student 

We have a powerful student story to share with you today. Sodaba Rahmaty is a refugee, tornado survivor and a UofL online MBA (OMBA) student. Sodaba’s story is one of challenge and hardship, but also one of profound strength, courage, and the indomitable power of the human will. Learn more about Sodaba’s journey by reading our interview with her below.

UofL Online: Please tell us about yourself: who you are, where you are from, and anything else you would like to share.

SR: I am Sodaba Rahmaty, raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. Despite being aware of the limited opportunities for women in Afghanistan, I was determined to fight for gender equality and worked toward this cause. I started working with international organizations such as the United Nations of the world food program and finished my bachelor’s degree in finance.

I was very concerned for my safety while working in Afghanistan due to the ongoing threats of targeted killings, kidnappings, and suicide bombings. Every day, I lived with the uncertainty of whether I would be able to return home safely or not.

In August 2021, on the morning that Ashraf Ghani (former president of Afghanistan) left, and the Taliban took over Afghanistan, people were rushing and looking stressed. There was huge traffic congestion and a sense of confusion and uncertainty in the air. At that time, I was in contact with a couple of rescue organizations overseas and one of them listed us to evacuate.

With a heavy heart and a sense of hopelessness, I left my homeland behind in search of a safer place to live peacefully. The uncertainty of life in Afghanistan had become too overwhelming, and I knew that I needed to seek refuge elsewhere.

The Taliban were truly dreadful, and their presence was scary. Witnessing their brutality firsthand, including beating civilians, was truly disturbing. Additionally, experiencing the tragic events at the Afghanistan airport was deeply traumatic.

After a week-long journey from Kabul to Doha, Doha to Germany, and Germany to Virginia, our cases were assigned to Bowling Green, Kentucky, a place I had never heard of before. Despite this, I was content with the thought that at least our safety would be guaranteed there. Unfortunately, our journey was not without further difficulties. Just a week after we settled into a government-rented house, a tornado struck and damaged our home. Once again, we were forced to relocate and find a new place to stay temporarily.

Sodaba while getting into a military plane from Kabul airport heading to Doha.

Sodaba’s picture was taken at her office in Kabul AFG.

Sodaba in the Kabul airport.

This is a photo of a motor bomb explosion close to Sodaba’s home a few days before the Taliban took over Kabul.

This was during Sodaba’s interview with The New York Times.

This photo was taken while working in Afghanistan, during a training.

This was Sodaba’s street in Bowling Green, KY after the tornado happened. It was “unrecognizable.”

This is Sodaba at the base in Germany waiting for the flight to the USA.

A photo of Sodaba in the USA. 

UofL Online: What prompted you to pursue an advanced degree?

SR: I have always been highly motivated to learn, and I strongly believe that pursuing an advanced degree will provide me with access to better resources and educational opportunities. This, in turn, will help me to advance both my career and personal growth. While being very new to driving, I drove 2 hours to meet with my recruiter at UofL, which can explain how passionate I am about it. As I believe the best investment is investing in yourself.

UofL Online: How did you hear about the UofL Online program/classes? How did you decide that UofL is right for you?

SR: I was fortunate enough to receive some valuable advice from a lady who serves as a board member of the International Center of Bowling Green. She recommended that I explore graduate programs at the University of Louisville, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that their programs aligned closely with my interests. I promptly emailed the graduate program director and was fortunate enough to receive a quick response.

UofL Online: What degree are you currently working towards?

SR: I am pursuing an MBA degree, focusing on financial analytics. This program combines my interest in finance and data analysis and will equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in this field. I am excited to learn and grow through this program and to apply the knowledge and skills I gain to real-world scenarios.

UofL Online: What are your interests, dreams, passions, or goals? Do you have a dream job or career that you would like to pursue one day?

SR: My goal as an MBA student focusing on financial analytics is to become an independent and stable woman who strives to live a fulfilling life for herself and make a positive impact as a human being. With the skills and knowledge gained from this program, I aspire to be a leader in the financial industry and use financial analytics to create value for businesses and society at large. I also aim to prioritize equity and advocate for the voices of underrepresented groups, including refugees. Ultimately, I hope to leverage my education and experience to make meaningful contributions to the world around me and help those who are most in need of support. Additionally, I aspire to be an example of resilience and demonstrate to others that they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their goals with hard work and perseverance.

UofL Online: How has UofL’s online program helped you to advance toward your goals/dreams?

SR: Before starting school, I was lost and uncertain about which path to take. The University of Louisville’s commitment to providing a flexible and supportive learning experience is truly commendable. By offering the opportunity to balance my work and studies and providing access to online classes and resources to navigate any challenges, the university’s staff and professors are very responsive and most of the time I forget it is distance learning. On the other hand, I have classmates who check on me and are my study partners in some cases, I enjoy my learning journey.

The fact that I also have the option to take electives on campus is fantastic as it offers a more hands-on and engaging learning experience that complements the online coursework. The university’s dedication to ensuring that I have a clear plan and feel supported in my studies is a testament to its commitment to student success.

Feeling overwhelmed during my academic journey can be discouraging, but with the University of Louisville’s resources and support, I can feel confident and empowered to succeed. By taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the university, I can make the most of my academic experience and pave the way for a bright future.

UofL Online: What would you tell other students who are thinking about pursuing an online education, but are not completely ready to take the leap?

SR: I would advise others who are reluctant about pursuing OMBA that online education can offer many benefits, including flexibility, convenience, and the ability to learn at your own pace. However, being self-motivated, organized, and committed to staying on top of coursework and deadlines is important.

My experiences show other students the significance of having a concrete plan for one’s future with a UofL degree, as it can provide direction and motivation to overcome difficult times, the value of education, and the need to take advantage of available opportunities.

From all of us at UofL Online, thank you Sodaba for taking the time to share your story and experiences with is. 

Student Spotlight: Counseling and Human Relations Student Answers All of Our Questions

Student Spotlight: Counseling and Human Relations Student Answers All of Our Questions

Meet Mike Clark! Mike is a UofL Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BSOLL), student with a track focus in Counseling and Human Relations. We asked him some questions about his online BSOLL experience—let’s read his responses below!  

Why did you select the OLL program? 

I choose the OLL – Counseling and Human Relation track after realizing I could do no more for an unlucky situation I was in. I graduated from St. Catharine College right before it shutdown then found out I had a transcript discrepancy that made it tough to get into grad school. With the school shut down and nobody to talk to fix it (and only able to prove my associate’s not my bachelor’s) I had to bite the bullet and start my undergrad over; I even went out somewhere to wrestle again and became an All-American which gave me more confidence to pick this program up to help me forge a career in coaching student-athletes. OLL was really good for a guy like me, in that the program basically transferred almost all my school and work experience in through PLA and I don’t have much left to do outside of core classes to finish again but with something more tangible. It’s a very friendly and flexible program for adults that need another chance at college.  

What are you enjoying most about the program? 

I like the content that I am learning and how accessible the online modules are, being that you can do the work from just about any device from anywhere with other options for accommodations. I also am grateful to be in a counseling program so that I could apply it to my coaching in wrestling which makes more sense for me than what I finished in school with the first time being fine arts and early ed—thought I’d be a music teacher! 

Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career?  

Each course teaches me more about different kinds of counseling and approaches to working with all kinds of people: emotional intelligence, human resources, management, leadership skills, the coaching process, running a program, ethics, and more. These and other topics involved in OLL are some of the very core skills needed to be a good coach in wrestling where, more and more these days, you need to have all the skills of a CEO to run a proficient program.  

Would you recommend the program? Why? 

I would recommend the program to adults who need a second chance at a degree or need to just finish. This program is made for them and there a several more tracks then when I first found out about it which makes it to where more people can find their niche in leadership be it counseling, early ed, or tech, etc. I’ve even recommended for my emphasis specifically, the HR Leadership certificate offered by the university that ties into the OLL counseling and HR track as a way for some to do school at an even lighter level while learning about the program. So, if they finish the cert and choose to continue then at least they already got a head start. 

Who is your current employer?  

I’m self-employed but… 

I do run the Cardinal Wrestling Club (CWC) at the University of Louisville (we wrestle collegiately in the NCWA) which takes up a good bit of my time. 

What is your current title?  

Self-employed outside of being the President of CWC at UofL.  

Thanks, Mike, for the great responses!  

If you’d like to learn more about UofL’s online BSOLL program, click here and get started today!  


UOFL RECOGNIZED AGAIN BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT FOR TOP ONLINE PROGRAMS

UOFL RECOGNIZED AGAIN BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT FOR TOP ONLINE PROGRAMS

For a seventh consecutive year, the University of Louisville has been ranked among the Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Of our fully online programs, the following were recognized as some of the top U.S. programs in 2023: 

  • Online Bachelor’s
  • Online Undergraduate Business
  • Online Undergraduate Psychology
  • Online Criminal Justice
  • Online Computer IT
  • Online Engineering
  • Online Graduate Education
  • Online Master’s in Business Administration

UofL is also ranked as Best Online Programs for Veterans across all of the same categories.

Notably, our Undergraduate Business ranking is among the top 30 programs in the country, with Undergraduate Psychology and Criminal Justice ranking in the top 20!

UofL has almost 60 fully online programs across the graduate and undergraduate level available including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and a wide variety of certificate programs. As part of the University’s commitment to online learning, more programs are added regularly to ensure UofL’s place among the top Online Programs in the country. We are committed to helping others advance their education on a schedule that works with them to promote their success.

Click here and learn how you can advance your education with and online degree from UofL today!