• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

Twenty-five students studying online at the University of Arkansas received the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year. Below is an interview in question-and-answer format with one of the winners of the scholarship that describes the daily life of a student studying online, as well as providing information on how to be successful. This interview is one of a series focusing on knowledge you can use to advance your education and your career, too.

Q: Please give us some background information: where you live, your occupation and primary job duties, family.

I live in Little Rock and work as a program manager at the Arkansas Research Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports innovative research in our state. I am getting married to my fiancé, Josh, in April!

Q: How do you feel about receiving the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Award? How will receiving it help you achieve your educational and professional goals?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused me to lose the financial support my past employer had committed toward my degree. Having already accepted a position in the class of 2022, I didn’t want to postpone getting my education. This scholarship eased some of that unexpected financial stress.

Q: What is your degree and when will it be awarded?

I am in the Executive Master of Business Administration class of 2022.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a graduate degree?

I looked forward to going through the Entrepreneurial Track and the New Venture Development Program. 

Q: What made you decide to choose an online rather than in-person degree program?

I chose to pursue the EMBA program rather than a full-time program because I love the fulfilling work I do at the Arkansas Research Alliance and didn’t want to give it up.

Q: How does studying online work with your professional life and family needs?

The flexibility of online work allows me to complete my degree on my own time and at the right pace for me.

Q: What strategies and tools do you use to stay in touch with your professors and classmates? Do you use any non-university tools to communicate with your peers like social media or apps?

Our class uses the GroupMe app to communicate with each other. Additionally, we have used Blackboard’s discussion groups to chat about important issues pertinent to our classes.

Q: Did you complete a project, portfolio, thesis or dissertation? How would you describe the experience to prospective students? What do you wish you had known about it before you started it?

I launched a company, Horizon Health Solutions, through UA’s New Venture Development program, and we are going through the business plan competition circuit. It’s been an incredible experience.

Q: Would you recommend this degree program?

Yes!

Q: What advice would you give to someone who might be considering studying online?

You can still get a challenging, engaging education online as long as you put in what you’d like to get out of it.