2012 OSU Ecampus graduates

Lindzy Bivings – Education that pays immediate dividends on the job

Lindzy BivingsM.S. in Science and Mathematics Education
San Francisco, Calif.

What does earning your OSU degree mean to you?
Earning my degree at OSU means that I will be able to shape not only my career path, but also be an influence of change within my field of science education.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Extended Campus? What did you like about this method of education?
I'd been thinking about attending grad school for quite a while, but with being a bit older and having a husband and a home, it seemed challenging to get up and move out of town to get into a program that made sense to me.

When I became aware of the program at OSU and saw how perfectly it fit with my career goals, I couldn't help but apply. It has made returning to school so accessible and much more meaningful than it was as an undergrad. With this system I am able to participate in class, then try out the new ideas in my job, and so everything I learn can be immediately applied.

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student?
Jennifer Bachman has been extremely helpful in creating a more inclusive feeling with the department, which has been essential because I don't have the chance to meet people face to face.

Lynn Dierking has been a great champion and cheerleader. At times when I struggled, she helped infuse me excitement, and confidence in my research and passions. She also took the time to personally connect with me by meeting up for coffee or lunch when we crossed paths at conferences, or when she was in the Bay Area for work.

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before?
My current job is at the California Academy of Sciences, where I develop educational programs for teachers, students and their families from within San Francisco. It is incredibly important to connect people with science and sustainability in the classroom, and in their everyday lives. This degree gave me the tools to do that well, and as part of that process I have been able to create successful multilingual family outreach programs that are in alignment with national goals.

This degree will allow me to continue to progress within the field of science education. It has connected me with a rich array of resources and skills that will allow me to critically think about my teaching job. This degree has shown me not only how important it is to connect with professionals across the country, but also the ways of building those connections. In our global society it is important that we communicate what we learn and develop best practices in our field so that we can advance together.

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