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The Digital Connection highlights students from various educational institutions and alumni. The opportunity to participate is optional and open to the public. Email support@scpandgsg.org for more information.
Campus Edu.
February 10, 2026
Tiffnie Harper
Thank you for taking the time to participate in our digital article series, The Digital Connection. Your willingness to share your journey helps bring greater visibility to the experiences of online students and highlights the growing need for inclusive opportunities, like fraternity and sorority involvement, within virtual learning environments.
Before we start, we like to highlight business owners as part of our commitment to supporting small businesses. If you are a business owner, we invite you to share your business name, website, or any relevant details, so we can help amplify your work alongside your personal story.
Yes, I have 3 business that I do, 1. Soul food which is a food business I started for my older children, 2 I am a Chaplin and a officiant , but for this one I provide services to people who can not afford the high price service, I allow them to get that feel of high price service but for only there budget .3. I am a pampered chef consultant
What inspired you to pursue an online college education, and how did you get started?
My daughter inspired me to do it. When she graduated from high school, she was set on not doing anything but working the same local job. Said that college is too hard. So I made a deal with her, if I go back to college at 49 years old, I am 50 now, she will have to apply to at least 5 colleges and pick one for her to go to. So I saw the commercial for Campus, with Shaq in it, and said, " Hey, let me try here. I filled out the application . got in and started . That said, my daughter will be leaving Virginia State for the University of Washington. And I have another daughter heading to Norfolk, VA, for an underwater welding school.
What challenges have you faced while pursuing your degree online, and how have you overcome them?
The main challenge I faced was people telling me I was too old to go back to school. I am to old to be president of campus clubs. I overcame them by just doing what I was told I was too old to do.
How have you balanced your online coursework with other responsibilities, such as work or family?
The main challenge is navigating family life, work life, and school. and writing biographies. I overcame it with planning, calendars, and understanding my mental health. And always putting my children first.
What have you found to be the benefits of pursuing a college education online, compared to traditional on-campus learning?
One is that I have the freedom to be home with the children that I homeschool. I still have 9 children living with me, so being online helps me with them. And since I have several girls in the Girl Scouts as a troop leader, I need to help them plan and stay focused on the big picture and the Girl Scouts' laws.
How have you stayed motivated and engaged in your online classes, and what strategies have you used to ensure your success?
The Professors are awesome; they are very motivating. Also, I am a welcome guide for new students; they keep me motivated, they tell me how their day went, and they discuss any problems they may have with an assignment. Hearing about there accompleshments and I love it. I love doing assignments and getting feedback on how I can improve my business. I enjoy the awards for getting As and some Bs . I am using everything they teach. A lot of the teachings are giving me deeper insights into my business and the mistakes I can easily change.
What does it signify to you when organizations like Sigma Chi Psi Sorority and Gamma Sigma Gamma Fraternity attempt to bridge the social gap for students who are pursuing their education online?
When I look at what Sigma Chi Psi and Gamma Sigma Gamma are doing, it doesn't just look like "networking" to me—it looks like belonging. For a long time, choosing an online education felt like a silent trade-off: you got the flexibility you needed for your life, but you gave up the "soul" of the college experience. You traded the bustling hallways for a quiet room and a glowing screen.
What significance do socializing, networking, and participating in events focused on networking and community service hold for you?
There is something deeply moving about people from different time zones and walks of life coming together around a shared ritual or service. It proves that the "bonds of blue and gold" (or any colors) aren't held together by brick and mortar, but by heart and intention.
Thank you again for being part of The Digital Connection. Your voice adds depth and meaning to this series, and we’re honored to share your perspective. We look forward to amplifying your story and continuing to build a platform that reflects the diverse journeys of online learners everywhere.