• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

Student Finds Flexibility and Opportunity in New Online Advertising and Public Relations Degree

For Chandler Perry, finding the right college major meant being willing to change direction. A native of Bentonville, Perry, 18, initially enrolled in the Sam M. Walton College of Business to study supply chain management, but after completing a public relations internship, she discovered a field that felt like a better fit.

Perry is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations through a new online degree program offered by the University of Arkansas. She expects to graduate in May 2028.

 

The Student

For Perry, the expansive nature of the degree is one of its biggest advantages, she stated.

"Honestly, I feel like it's a pretty broad degree," Perry said.

That flexibility is important to Perry as she considers her future. One of her goals is to work in sports communications and hopes to one day join a public relations team.

"I would like to end up being a director of communications for somewhere," Perry said. "I just didn't want my degree to be specifically communications because I feel like that's more specific. But public relations, I feel that's a broad degree."

Perry's interest in public relations developed through direct, hands-on experience. She completed a public relations internship last summer as part of her time in supply chain management and returned to the same consulting company in Bentonville for another internship this summer. Her responsibilities included creating social media posts, sending emails, developing graphics and assisting with day-to-day work.

Her internship experience helped Perry recognize that she enjoyed that type of work, and since "public relations" was in her job title, her new academic direction seemed clear, she said.

The online format has also given Perry the flexibility she needs to balance college while working several jobs. Having the flexibility of online learning allows Perry to arrange study times around her work schedule rather than the other way around.

"I really just need to work because I'm paying rent and tuition," she said. "I have no help with any of this. It's just me and scholarships. I want to do my jobs, have some time to chill and not worry about going to a set class with a set schedule."

Perry said her previous experience taking college-credit courses through Northwest Arkansas Community College while in high school helped her realize online learning was a good option for her. She became familiar with virtual education when classes moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic—a common experience among many in Perry's age group.

"I knew I liked doing online because of all the credits I got in high school through NWACC, because that was all online," she said.

 

Building Skills

As an only child raised by a single mother, Perry developed a strong sense of independence and responsibility at an early age. Those qualities carried over into her approach to online college. That independence has become an important part of her success as an online student. Perry's experiences juggling employment and academics have strengthened the habits she needs to independently manage her education, she said.

"I've always been used to holding myself accountable, being responsible, just getting my stuff done when I'm supposed to," Perry said. "Working while studying has strengthened my discipline and reinforced the value of earning what I achieve."

Online learning has helped Perry develop communication skills that will benefit her on a professional level, she said.

"My mom worked hard to provide for me, and she was also very hard on me growing up," Perry recalled. "At the time, I didn't always understand why she pushed me so much, but looking back, I realize she was teaching me the importance of working hard, advocating for myself and making the most of every opportunity I'm given. Those lessons have stayed with me and shaped the way I approach school, my goals and the opportunities that come my way."

Because she does not routinely meet with professors in person, Perry has learned to communicate clearly through email and explain questions or concerns in ways that give instructors the information they need.

"I feel like it taught me better ways of reaching out to professors, communicating effectively through emails and getting all my thoughts out so they can understand what I'm having problems with," she said. "It's like talking to them in person."

 

Support, Mentorship

The experience has also taught Perry that being an online student does not mean trying to navigate college completely on her own. She appreciates having access to resources such as Mullins Library as well as the U of A's Writing Studio, where students can receive feedback on their writing, she stated.

"I really liked the Writing Studio," she said. "You're able to access that online from wherever you happen to be. I would say that's my favorite university resource."

Perry credits mentors she met through a women's program she joined in high school with helping her stay on track. One mentor in particular, Twilla Brooks, encouraged Perry to continue when she considered leaving college during her first semester.

"She's the one who pushed me to keep going, to keep trying," she recalled. "She knew what I was capable of and she didn't want me to just settle for less than my very best."

As a first-generation college student, Perry has had to learn much of the college experience on her own. She said her family did not necessarily understand why earning a college degree was important to her, but she knew she wanted to pursue higher education.

That determination has shaped Perry's approach to college and her future, she said.

For other students considering an online degree, Perry said success requires commitment and a willingness to seek assistance when needed.

"I'd say if you're going to do it, you need to make sure you're actually focused and do it right, especially with being online," she said. "Don't be afraid to ask for help. There's all kinds of people on campus that would love to help you."

 

The ADPR Degree

Offered through the in Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the online BA in Advertising and Public Relations gives students an opportunity to complete the degree entirely online. The program prepares students for careers that rely on effective communication, strategic messaging and the ability to connect organizations with their audiences.

As part of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, the ADPR program is grounded in journalistic principles, according to Dave Bostwick and Jee Young Chung, faculty in the Journalism department. The curriculum includes heavy emphasis on media writing skills and ethical frameworks.

"The program requires a limited number of marketing courses, offered through the Walton College of Business, to provide our ADPR majors with a foundation in marketing principles," Bostwick, a teaching associate professor, said. "It also includes a separate course devoted to media law. Many of the required courses are offered each spring, summer and fall, which gives students ample flexibility to set their own pace for degree completion."

Originally offered as a concentration in Journalism, ADPR became a stand-alone major in 2020 in response to strong student demand. Since then, the program has continued to grow, and in response to increasing student and industry demand, the School recently expanded its offerings to include an online option.

"Our firmly established on-campus ADPR program gives students a connection to the unique business community of Northwest Arkansas, home to the headquarters of several leading multinational corporations." Chung, associate director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, said. "Although our online ADPR program is new and evolving, our goal is to provide online students with the same rigorous curriculum and distinctive skill sets that reflect the unique business landscape of Northwest Arkansas, including expertise in consumer-packaged goods, retail advertising, and influencer marketing for employers such as Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt. We also want online students to benefit from an alumni network that extends nationwide, so that they have access to industry-informed learning that distinguishes our ADPR curriculum from peer programs."

As for what types of careers might be available for someone with this degree, Chung stated, "Our graduates enter a variety of career pathways, such as social media managers, advertising account executives, content strategists, media planners and coordinators, and communications directors. Many of these positions exist in both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations."

 

The Scholarship

Perry is one of 39 students receiving the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarship was created in 2018 to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Recipients receive $1,000 for each upcoming fall and spring semester in which they are enrolled, for a possible total of $2,000.

"Financial need is a real factor in higher education," Perry stated. "Resources were limited, and I had no generational support or financial guidance to rely on, so I had to be proactive in planning my education path and funding it responsibly. Tuition, housing, and academic expenses add up quickly, and scholarships can directly determine how much debt I will carry into my professional life. Receiving this scholarship has helped reduce financial pressure. I can focus on academic performance and career preparation."

For Perry, the award provides meaningful support as she works to pay for college herself.

"I was just feeling super fortunate, honestly, super grateful to have received it," she said. "And it's definitely helped me a lot because, like I said, nobody is helping me with this at all. It's all on me so I really appreciate it, because every little bit adds up for sure."