2012 OSU Ecampus graduates

Amie Davis – Taste of academic success leads to desire for more

B.S. in Liberal Studies
Snellville, Ga.

What does earning your OSU degree mean to you?
I became a mom at 15. I'm now 36. My kids didn't start their lives under the best circumstances, but I have done my best to make it as "normal" as possible. This degree means setting an example to my five children. It means showing them that they need to focus on their educations and futures rather than getting caught up in choices that will detour them. It also means showing them that it's never to late to follow your dreams no matter the circumstances life has thrown your way. I'm finishing my degree that I started dreaming about when I was 8 years old and received a manual typewriter to "play" with.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Extended Campus? What did you like about this method of education?
I picked OSU because of flexibility in terms of the degree I wanted and the quarter system. Liking the quarter system may seem silly to some, but having been on the semester system, I hated how long and dragged out the semesters always seemed. I wanted to work at a faster and more aggressive pace. And the flexibility was the best part. I was able to create my major using classes that would fit me and my career goals, rather than some prescribed formula that may or may not work for me.

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student?
Kelly Kneece was my original advisor. She was amazing at helping me get my transfer credits straightened out, getting my degree plan approved and just being there as my advocate when I needed her. My son was seriously injured during one of my terms and I needed to take incompletes. Kelly was there to help me make sure I could still come back to those classes and not get off track.

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before?
I just received my acceptance yesterday, so graduate school here I come this fall! I plan to go on to get my master's in English so that I can open up opportunities for teaching on the college level. Since my kids are all getting older now, I would like to do things like focus on some adult education or even help to tutor young girls that are home-bound because of being a young mom. My family was such a huge support to me that I would love to give it back.

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