Category: Education & Human Development Programs

Student Spotlight: BS in OLL Student Answers all of our Questions

Student Spotlight: BS in OLL Student Answers all of our Questions

It’s time for another incredible student highlight! Check out this interview with DeAnna O’Connell, a BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS OLL) student and CardinOLL Ambassador. We asked her some questions about her online BS OLL experience—let’s read her responses below!   

Q: Why did you select the OLL program?  

As a working mother I chose the OLL program because of the flexibility it offers, allowing me to balance my family responsibilities and work commitments while pursuing higher education.  

Q: What are you enjoying most about the program?  

The dedication I see from not only the professors but my advisors as well. I have always felt supported by the program. 

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

Yes, pursuing my degree in Organizational Learning and Leadership has equipped me with a diverse set of skills crucial in my role as a residency coordinator. Project management, and a deep understanding of organizational behavior and culture has helped me immensely in navigating my role.  

Q: Would you recommend the program? Why?  

The program offers the support and flexibility I needed as a working mother. I have enjoyed the benefits of achieving my academic goals without the burden of onsite commuting to the classroom.  

 

Q: Where do you call home?  

Louisville, Kentucky!  

Q: Who is your current employer, and what is your current title?  

UofL Health, working as a Title Residency Coordinator in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics.  

Q: Any additional information you would like to share?  

Being out of school for over 25 years and a first-generation student, I was extremely nervous at the thought of enrolling in college. The advisors and professors have supported me in a way that made it possible for me to not only pursue a degree but excel! I will be graduating in December with honors and have joined the National Society of Leadership and Success—none of which I could have achieved without the dedication of the faculty and staff in the OLL program! Go Cards!  

We are grateful to DeAnna for her thoughtful answers to our questions and for taking the time to share her experience with us!  

You can learn more about the BS OLL degree here. 

Breaking Generational Curses Through Education

Breaking Generational Curses Through Education

The fifth century Chinese philosopher Laozi once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For Kenovia Haggerty, that single step was more of a leap of faith.  

Kenovia lived in Houston, Texas with her husband, JaRon, and their two beautiful children, Kylah, and JJ. The two had built a good life together; respectable careers, thriving children, and a home. But what happens when “good enough,” is no longer enough? For Kenovia, that moment of self-discovery sparked one day, at her job right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenovia graduated college with a passing GPA and had accepted a job as a steppingstone to future opportunities. After spending some time in that role, Kenovia began to realize the limitations of what her current skillset could offer an employer, and where she could take that career with some additional human resources education. Knowing that graduate school was likely in her future, she began conversations with her husband (who was also preparing to start graduate school) about what the next chapter of their lives would entail. 

Their journey to success was a long, winding road that lasted about 2 years, fraught with trial and tribulation, taking them far away from their home state and any kind of family support. The beautiful result of these efforts was two highly accomplished individuals that together have cemented and solidified their manifestation of a lifetime of opportunity, both for themselves and for their family. 

Overcoming barriers 

Kenovia had some doubts; her undergraduate academic background was not the strongest when she began applying to master’s programs. With concerns about how her GPA could impact her acceptance into master’s programs, the application process to other schools was daunting. Kenovia said, “[I] had some transferable skills from being in banking and in management, but none in HR, so I saw the online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development (MS HROD) program at UofL as an opportunity to fill in some of those gaps. Then I thought that I would be able to log in when I needed to, and I’d have that support to get through it.”  

Kenovia did not receive a ton of initial support from her family; some in her extended family felt that graduate education would only lead to more student debt, and that pursuing additional education was not the wisest endeavor. Her biggest supporter was JaRon, who encouraged her to consider all options and choose whichever one would provide the most growth opportunity for their family. Though they would be studying at different institutions, they would be undergoing the journey together. “It was very important for us to find a program that was SHRM-aligned, because her goals were to circumvent this learning curve so that [she] can move up quickly, and become more marketable,” JaRon notes. 

Taking the first step 

For Kenovia, a pivotal conversation was with Ron Sheffield, Ed.D., and the program director for UofL’s online MS HROD program. Sheffield provided her with the comfort and knowledge that she would be supported throughout her endeavors to achieve an MS in HROD degree. “He was awesome. I just felt like, OK, this could be a little family here. If I need help, I’ll be able to get it and that this program could fit into the type of lifestyle I was about to have,” Kenovia notes. Another pillar of support in this journey was the faith in God the couple shared together. “Me and my husband believe in making sure that our decisions are led by us praying and taking our time with things. Our big prayer was to find a program that could fit our new lifestyle.”  

JaRon had already been accepted with a full-ride scholarship to an MBA program at a different institution in Bloomington, and with Louisville being located relatively close, the two packed up their lives in Texas and made the long journey north, arriving at their new, temporary home in Indianapolis. From there, the two settled into their new routine, juggling their education with the needs of work and their children. Kenovia, especially, had to manage life as a self-described “temporarily single parent,” except for instances where JaRon was able to return from Bloomington to spend time with the family.  

Getting to the goal line together 

Years of effort and hard work finally paid off this summer, when Kenovia finally graduated with a MS in Human Resources and Organization Development from UofL, and JaRon graduated with an MBA. Now, the two can look forward with confidence and momentum to all that is coming next for their family, with a world of opportunity in front of them.  

When asked about what they would recommend to others in a similar situation, Kenovia shared, “Prioritize your time, and if you do have a partner, keep the lines of communication open about everything that you’re feeling, because we had some really hard times trying to keep us together with trying to keep the goal at the forefront.” 

For the time being, the two are moving again, heading up to Chicago to take on this next chapter in their lives. Kenovia plans to work out of a Merchants Bank of Indiana branch near their new home. “I do feel like the program is helping advance my career. I started off as a HR analyst initially and then I just got promoted this year to HR generalist. Right now, I am helping with orientation, training, and all these different things that I can do. I feel like UofL’s online program gave me the confidence I needed.” 

We are grateful to Kenovia for sharing her story with us; she and JaRon have worked together to craft a life story they are proud of. “We feel like we broke some generational curses with both of us having the education that we have and our kids being able to see that and that is rewarding,” Kenovia and JaRon note. They are a living testament to the fact that, no matter where you are in life, you can dream big, accomplish your goals, and better your family’s future.  

If you want to take the next step in your life’s journey like Kenovia, you can click here and learn more about the Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development online program at UofL. 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: INTERDISCIPLINARY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: INTERDISCIPLINARY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

Meet Shiryuko Dennis! Shiryuko is a UofL Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS OLL) student with a track-focus in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE). We asked her some questions about her online BS OLL experience—let’s read her responses below!   

Why did you select the BS OLL program and IECE track? 

I selected the OLL and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education track program because I have a deep passion for working with children, and I wanted a program that would allow me to pursue my education while still being able to engage with them actively. The flexibility of the online learning format enables me to balance my studies with other commitments, including spending quality time with my husband, who is the love of my life, a major support system, and a fellow student in the OLL program. We are pursuing our educational goals together, adding extra motivation and shared experiences. Additionally, the program’s interdisciplinary approach appealed to me as it provides a broader understanding of early childhood education by incorporating diverse perspectives from various disciplines. 

What are you enjoying most about the program? 

What I enjoy most about the program is the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow students and faculty members through online discussions and group projects. The program has fostered a sense of community and shared learning despite not being physically present in a traditional classroom setting. I also appreciate the access to a wide range of resources, including research articles, case studies, and online learning materials, which have enriched my understanding of early childhood education theories and practices.  

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

Yes, the program provides the skills I need to succeed in my career. The curriculum is comprehensive and covers important aspects such as child development, educational psychology, curriculum planning, assessment strategies, and family engagement. The coursework is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which I believe will be valuable in my future role as an early childhood educator. Additionally, the program incorporates field experiences and practicum opportunities, allowing me to apply what I have learned in real-world settings and gain hands-on experience. 

Would you recommend the program? Why? 

Absolutely, I would highly recommend the program to others. The OLL and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education track program has exceeded my expectations in terms of flexibility, academic rigor and the support provided by faculty and staff. The program has equipped me with a solid early childhood education foundation and given me the confidence to pursue my career goals. The combination of online learning and an interdisciplinary approach has enriched my learning experience and broadened my perspectives. I believe that this program will prepare future educators to make a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families. 

We are grateful to Shiryuko for her thoughtful answers to our questions and for taking the time to share her experience with us! You can learn more about the BS OLL degree and IECE track here 


STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT STUDENT ANSWERS ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS

Meet Kelsi Lamberson! Kelsi is a UofL Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS OLL), student with a track focus in Human Resource Development (HRD). We asked her some questions about her online BS OLL experience—let’s read her responses below!   

Why did you select the BS OLL program and HRD track? 

I did a lot of research before deciding to go back to school and the BS OLL program was the best one that I found that would help me accomplish my career goals. 

What are you enjoying most about the program? 

I am really enjoying everything that I am learning and the different aspects that fall within the HR field. There are so many different types of specialties within the field that it’s becoming difficult to narrow down exactly what I want to specialize in.   

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

Absolutely, the program is expanding on my previous HR experience and is helping me upgrade my skills.   

Any additional comments you would like to share? 

I am very excited to see where this program takes me! 

Would you recommend the program? Why? 

Yes, I would absolutely recommend this program. The professors are very eager to help in any way they can and if you are a detailed and organized individual, this program is a dream.   

Who is your current employer?  

I’m not currently working; I’m prioritizing school so that I can complete my degree in a timely fashion. 

We are grateful to Kelsi for her thoughtful answers to our questions and for taking the time to share her experience with us!  

Kelsi also experiences a rare genetic eye condition called Stargardt’s disease, which can have an impact on various elements of one’s vision. She doesn’t allow this condition to affect her work, however. Kelsi continues to work hard and remains on track to graduate with her BS OLL degree soon.  

The Human Resources Development track is specifically designed for business professionals who would like to start or advance their career in the Human Resource field. Students develop fundamental knowledge of Human Resources as well as the analytical and strategical skills necessary for the modern HR role. Successful completion of this program will help prepare graduates for the Certified Professional Human Resources (PHR) exam.  

You can learn more about the BS OLL degree and HRD track here