Leaving the hills of the University of Arkansas for the lights of New York City did not stop Alissa Farina from earning her U of A bachelor’s degree in communication. She took classes online.

Farina, who grew up in Rogers, spent her freshman and sophomore years studying on campus, but she left in 2016 to take advantage of internships in New York’s fashion industry. She wanted to gain that unique job experience, but she still wanted to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the U of A.

“I’m so thankful that I switched to the online program,” Farina said. “I love the freedom. It gave me the opportunity to live where I wanted to live and go to school.”

While fulfilling degree requirements online, Farina gained priceless experience in New York’s fashion industry through paid internships with designer companies Tom Ford and Stuart Weitzman.

“I got my foot in the door,” Farina said. “It’s only because I could continue school online. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Farina graduated in May 2018.

“It was two years of really hard work,” Farina said. “Now, I’m graduating. I’m excited about that.”