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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.
Strayer University
January 20, 2024
Joyce Powell
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.
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What inspired you to pursue an online college education, and how did you get started?
As a young lady growing up in Rocky Mount NC I always achieved academic excellence in all areas of my education, despite the abuse that was going on in my home. I am the daughter of an Disabled Army Veteran who along with my mother, instilled the greatest values and once my mother remarried I never forgot them. My home life was a catalyst for me to get away from the sexual abuse of my siblings by my stepfather and his family. At age seventeen I reach out to my guidance counselor and favorite teacher and decided to leave home for good, but soon after was sexually abused and pregnant. I had my son, at the request of my father, who help me to support my son whom I loved dearly. He passed eleven years ago due to a pedestrian to car accident. He has been my inspiration, along with my other son and my daughter, to complete my degree. I always preached education to them all because before I was hurt I had a FULL Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill here where I currently have resided for the last 20 years as DV survivor and much more. I most recently have had to deal with Breast Cancer and had a double mastectomy. Cancer changed my life for the better and gave me an opportunity to work on my degree through the pain of chemotherapy, surgery, and emotional pain, but I never gave up. I obtained a 4.0 for two terms and a 3.8 my last term. I am determined to be a successful Civil Rights Lawyer working along with the likes of Attorney Ben Crump and the EJI Project. I have my own dreams! I will be what I aspire to be. I never gave up. I have so many who look up to me for my strength and tenacity. I am a fighter despite what life has thrown my way. John Lewis is another one individual who has inspired me to keep moving forward and to never give up.
What challenges have you faced while pursuing your degree online, and how have you overcome them?
There have been quite a few challenges that I have had to overcome in my life, but the once that has affected me the most was Alcoholism. I am a recovering closet drinker who many did not knew drank for many year. My family knew especially my children. They were always critical of my drinking and I knew why. I was much more successful and happy without it. I have been through so many traumatic experiences in my life that effected me emotionally, and mentally. I have always sought therapy and med management to help, but at time I did not. I am now, after over 20 plus year, sober with no inkling of thinking about drinking a drop of alcohol. There is a reason for that too. For the last five years or so my body has felt very different and off and that was due to my Breast Cancer which I defeated. The alcohol I drank made my tumors grow. I had nine tumors in my right breast. One my first visit to my surgical oncologist I say a sign that stated that "Alcohol is the number was cause for Cancer". I asked my Oncologist why is this not advertised. She said, "It is. People just don't read the fine print on the bottles and cans". This is the reason I will never drink again. Before leaning all of this and while dealing with the stress of not knowing whether I had cancer or not, I got a DWI the day before I was to be evicted due to me being in the hospital. I had never had a ticket a day in my life. I was furious with myself, but decided to take the opportunity to do what I had always wanted to do while being a single mother, with no support who did not have time to go to rehab. I attended DWI classes where I inspired others to remain sober. I am currently in the process of being certified as a Peer Support Specialist here in the state on NC soon, and I am grateful to be me. Me overcoming alcoholism opened my mind and allowed me to see all I had missed out on while suffering through, pain, trauma, and addiction. I am grateful because it too allowed me to get back to being a student in college online to obtain my degree in Criminal Justice so that I can one day pursue my JD.
How have you balanced your online coursework with other responsibilities, such as work or family?
My online coursework and responsibilities balance has been done by me recognizing what self control is and by setting boundaries for me and other in my life. I have doctors appointments, a disabled Veteran who is my Fiancée, my job, and my service to my community to keep me busy. I have always been very good at multitasking as a mother and that helps in other areas of my life each day. I allow myself time, even thought there are times when things get behind or I have to stop a project, but I do come back to it. At my age of forty seven I am also learning to make many list and organize myself even more.
What have you found to be the benefits of pursuing a college education online, compared to traditional on-campus learning?
The benefits of pursuing my college education online is that I am not in a classroom which keeps me in place for a certain amount of time. Right now my time and my life are very valuable to, and being able to obtain my education online affords me the space and time I need for other areas of my life.
How have you stayed motivated and engaged in your online classes, and what strategies have you used to ensure your success?
Just being myself and my struggles in life have motivated to remain engaged in my online classes. I am so tired of struggling. I am going to be successful and able to show my twenty plus nephews and nieces what it means to overcome any obstacle and remain positive while doing so. I am the oldest of four and my family has told me how proud they are despite me feeling no one cared. This has made me work even harder for a cause dear to my heart.
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?
I am so excited because for years I wanted to be a part of Greek Life to be of Service and to have Sisters who believe as I do. I come from a very diverse background as a army brat who grew up in Germany for many years of my young life up until third grade when we moved to NC. As I attending other Universities and Community Colleges over the years I never applied because I did not feel like I belonged to any of the others sororities I had seen. Sigma Chi Psi Sorority is the type of sorority I have envisioned myself being a part of. I searched online for a sorority for online learners like myself, and found Sigma Chi Psi Sorority.
What significance does socializing, networking, and participating in events focused on networking and community service hold for you?
The significance socializing, networking, and participating in events focused on networking and community service will allow me to share myself with other and be a beacon of light many. I have a purpose and here I can help to live out some of my purpose by being a part and serving each and individual. I am a positive and grateful individual looking to give back because so many helped me along my journey. It is now my turn.
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.