Presenter: Alicia Fernandez is a Open SUNY Online Student and the 2015 NUTN Online Student Recognition  Award Recipient

Day 2 Presentation

In 2010, Alicia Fernandez decided to return to college to complete the bachelor’s degree she had started 1980.  Four years and twenty-eight online courses later, she is the proud recipient of a B.A. in Communication and Culture from CUNY, and an M.S. in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from the SUNY University at Albany (received in May 2014).

As a first generation American, Alicia experienced financial and time challenges which precluded her participation in traditional university offerings. In 2009, after 30 years in the corporate ranks, she became one of the millions displaced by the economic downturn, and the lack of a college diploma became a barrier to securing a new job.  Fortunately, she discovered online degree programs that were not only very accessible, but also affordable. This allowed her to finally attain the previously elusive higher education credentials.

Alicia’s online learning experiences afford a unique student perspective. She will discuss instances that either hindered or facilitated her learning. Her reflections can help online teaching and learning practitioners and those that support online learners better understand and serve online students, especially her former cohort, the over 34 million adults in the US who have completed some college, but have no degree.