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

By Conner Mackowiak | April 7, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

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!

is online mba worth it - value of MBA blog post UofL Online

[INFOGRAPHIC] Is an online MBA worth it? The value of the MBA in 2021—and beyond

By admin | June 17, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Busy business professionals around the world without a master’s degree often find themselves at this exact crossroad, wondering, “Is an online MBA worth it?”

Here’s the short answer: unforeseen and problematic challenges will always face businesses and those that lead them—as proven by 2020 more than ever before in modern times. This past year, we faced a business landscape that had to operate in an almost entirely virtual space, an unprecedented challenge for many businesses.

And a challenge that unfortunately not every business was equipped to overcome.

Preparing your business and career to tackle unforeseen challenges that arise, global pandemic or not, remains the number one reason to earn your MBA in 2021.

FOUNDATION FOR STABILITY AND SUCCESS

The education provided by an MBA lays a foundation for students to stay ahead of advancements and unpredictable issues. MBAs deliver a set of proven business tools and skills that help leaders better anticipate change and lead the charge in adapting to it with ease.

Is an online MBA worth it?

Online MBAs take that critical preparation one step further, giving students the added benefit of a flexible learning environment, arguably the most important condition driving education decisions for working professionals today.

But the added value and student benefits of a 100% online MBA certainly don’t stop at flexibility, especially at the University of Louisville.

DOWNLOAD THE “VALUE OF THE ONLINE MBA IN 2021
AND BEYOND” INFOGRAPHIC TO LEARN MORE

Prepare for the Future of Business at UofL

UofL’s College of Business, under the leadership of Dean Todd Mooradian, is committed to innovation and forward-thinking. These principles are found within the very foundation of our online MBA and continue to guide decision-making as we:

Continuously refine courses to incorporate the most pressing issues facing organizations
Offer an evolving suite of electives that address the demands of employers, along with one-of-a-kind graduate certificates in specialized areas like Managerial Analytics, Distilled Spirits, Horse Racing Industry Business and Franchise Management—which students can earn at no extra time or cost
Refine our choices for the program’s included international business trip, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many students and a significant differentiator for UofL’s online MBA program
Rapidly expand our student services to provide a variety of resources and opportunities that will enhance professional development, including lifelong career services

LEARN MORE

Even in the wake of COVID-19, earning an MBA remains now what it has always been: a proven way to gain the expertise and skills needed to effectively lead your business and employees through any great unknown.

Online MBA programs make this opportunity more readily available for those who need it.

UofL’s online MBA program is designed for that very purpose, while also still delivering a high-quality and student-focused educational experience.

ARTICLE | READ ABOUT ONE OF OUR ONLINE MBA COURSES: Managing in the Future: UofL’s Online MBA Prepares Students for the Future of Business [Video Q&A]

Life is full of challenges. Your online education doesn’t need to be one of them.

By admin | February 7, 2019

Julia Parsons (pictured above) wanted to go back to school for her family, in addition to realizing her dream of becoming a mentor and guiding force for college students. “I work full-time, I’m a mom and I’m a wife,” Julia says. Returning to school for her master’s degree was about “supporting my family and showing my daughter that I’m going to do what I set out to do.”

When Camille Jones graduated with her associate’s degree, she was pregnant with her daughter. “I worked for 15 years or so and I wanted to go back to school, but really didn’t have the time because I was a wife and mother of two kids.” She never gave up on her dream of going back to school, though, and she knew it was time when she kept hearing potential employers tell her the same thing. “I had interview after interview,” Camille explains, continuing that each time they would say, “We want to give you this job but you need a bachelor’s degree.”

For Troy Marables, the first in his family to go to college, it was about realizing his full potential. Troy received a promotion at work after 20 years of service, but felt he hadn’t gone as far as he wanted to go. “I needed to go back to school and get my degree in order to move to the next level of management.”

You may have dreamt about earning a college degree or going back to school, too. And each time you thought about it, you came up with reasons it wasn’t possible.

Like Camille, Troy and Julia, it’s time to turn your “why” into “how.”

Whether you want to earn your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or obtain a specialized certificate, you can make your dreams come true through an online degree or certificate from University of Louisville (UofL) Online. UofL Online provides the support, expertise and student-driven focus needed to help you reach your goals.

It’s about you

Everyone has a reason for wanting to go back to school. They have their own unique set of circumstances that may have kept them from taking the first step. UofL Online has a team of trained counselors, faculty and support staff to help you throughout the discovery and decision process.

This is your dedicated team. They’re available to listen to your concerns, answer questions and guide you to the resources you need. They are truly dedicated to your success and will work with you every step of the way on your journey.

It’s about excellence

The faculty teaching at UofL Online are thought leaders and researchers actively contributing to the advancement of their fields through their work—and the same world-class instructors as the traditional, on-campus programs. For online students, this means exposure to new research, an environment of innovation, a culture of excellence and forward-thinking ideas. Because UofL is a tier 1 research institution, you have the opportunity to learn from the best and the ability to be directly involved in making a difference, even before earning your degree.

UofL faculty are preparing students today for the challenges of tomorrow, empowering them to be leaders and influencers in their chosen professions and their communities.

**It’s about time—and your time is now.**

UofL students come from all walks of life, all stages of career, with various backgrounds and from diverse cultures. Chances are you already know someone who has a degree from one of their programs. Now it’s your time to join UofL’s learners’ community.

With most of the online programs available at UofL, you won’t need to attend classes at set times. Choose the time that’s right for you to get your work done and meet course deadlines. You’ll also be able to work on your assignments and collaborate with classmates from any location.

Take the first step. Visit UofL Online to see what programs are available and start your journey. UofL currently has 32 online degree and certificate programs, with even more coming during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Turn your “why” into “how”. Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to knock down the barriers holding you back professionally. Become an inspiration to your family and friends. Most importantly, earn a sense of pride and accomplishment as you move past your hesitations, and embrace a future of possibilities.

“You can do it,” says Julia. “If it’s something that you want, that you have a passion for, and it’s where you see yourself in the future, then go for it.”

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.

UofL Online Storytelling Team Strikes Gold!

By admin | September 26, 2018

The story of Rachel McClain, first graduate of UofL’s Healthcare Leadership competency-based education (CBE) program, won first place in the national CBExchange Digital Storytelling contest. The video was produced by UofL Online marketing team led by Laura Dorman, marketing manager, in partnership with VideoBred Production, and with the contribution of Dr. Lee Bewley, BS OLL – Healthcare Leadership, CBE program director.

Watch the award-winning video now.

The Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) is a group formed of colleges and universities working together to address shared challenges to designing, developing and scaling competency-based degree programs across the United States. C-BEN brings together educators and staff who work in competency-based education and witness the transformative and innovative nature of CBE on a daily basis. Many have seen first-hand the ways CBE impacts students’ lives—enabling them to fulfill lifetime goals and pursue new opportunities.

To help others see the power of CBE, C-BEN issued a call to share these success stories. The CBExchange Digital Storytelling contest evaluated short digital stories combining video, photography, music, animation, etc., that focused on the impact of CBE on students’ journey and opportunity for higher achievements. Winning first place, Rachel’s story stood out as the most powerful and well-presented.

Her success story also launched the “What’s Your Why?” video testimonial series, created by the UofL Online marketing team. This series aims to share inspirational student and faculty stories with potential UofL Online students, the online learners community-at-large, employers and beyond.

Read more about Rachel’s journey at uofl.me/cbengold.

Category: Testimonials & Student Stories