2010 Ecampus Graduates

Marla Christensen

B.S. Liberal Studies- Cum Laude
West Linn, Oregon

What does completing your degree mean to you? How do you feel it will improve your life and career? Completing my degree fulfills my long-term goal of finishing what I started in 1973. Setting this goal, working hard to complete my degree, and establishing my next goal of earning my Masters degree in Counseling, gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Earning my degree will allow me to change my current career in aviation and work toward my aspirations of counseling homeless teens and their families. Counseling those less fortunate and helping mentor youth into positive, productive lives has been a desire of mine since I had children of my own. Following my dream to help others will enhance my life through the intrinsic rewards, which I have already experienced, after working with many of the homeless teens in downtown Portland as an intern.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Extended Campus? What did you like about this method of education?  I chose OSU based on the positive reputation of a high quality education and the diverse classes that were offered through Ecampus. Since I was employed full-time in the aviation industry and traveled frequently, my schedule varied each month. The only possible opportunity for me to earn my degree was through an online program. After looking at several different universities, it was obvious OSU had the best program available. Hence, it was only through Ecampus I was able to complete my degree. Without this online program my dreams of becoming a counselor would never have become a reality.

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student? Professor Rachel Dilts. She was instrumental in my education through several of her psychology classes. In addition, she was informative and supportive with my internship working with the homeless teens in downtown Portland. I gained knowledge and understanding through her direction.

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before? I will use my education to assist others with social and psychological needs. Without this degree, my insights and support would not be as valid. Although I have already been working with homeless youth, my education gives me several more resources to grow from, allowing me to use the information to assist those who do not have support elsewhere.

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