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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.
Tiffin University
August 30, 2025
Shalonda Williams
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.
Global Passages Travel Agency- Independent Home Based Agent. I specialize in booking cruises, and resort vacations for families looking for travel.
What inspired you to pursue an online college education, and how did you get started?
In December 2023 my son Camaren graduated with his Masters Degree from his online program, and one of my favorite cousins graduated with hers in June of 2024 from her online program. They both encouraged me to return back to school to complete my Masters online.
I asked them thousands of questions with hesitation, my work, my age, the usual excuses. Then my son stated to me "why are you making excuses". Angel helped me search for different programs I was interested in, and here I am today. No excuses.
What challenges have you faced while pursuing your degree online, and how have you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was maintaining my health. I was spending long hours on the computer, and up very late at night trying to adjust to my schedule. I was often drained mentally, and physically. It became harder to focus at work in the mornings.
I overcame this by talking with my physician, and other online peers in my studies. Taking positive advise on how to manage my time, as this was my first time returning to school after 19 years. I learned to set boundaries for my personal time, and my study time. I no longer used my lunch breaks to study.
I now took my lunch breaks, making sure I was eating healthy, and I no longer stayed up to 3am trying to crame everything in. I took Mondays off from school work completely to let my mind and body rest. I studied only from 6pm to 8pm three nights a week.
I was no longer rushing for deadlines, or to cram readings in, and I started to retain the classwork.
How have you balanced your online coursework with other responsibilities, such as work or family?
I no longer did school work during my work hours, such as lunch. , I set aside specific hours to do homework and study. I made family time strictly for the weekends.
What have you found to be the benefits of pursuing a college education online, compared to traditional on-campus learning?
The flexibility if the biggest benefit. Being able to complete my coursework in a timely manner without the pressures of being in a fast paced classroom. My deadlines online gave more flexibility to jump around the syllabus and being able to refer back.
Online gives you a more diverse community, because there are students from all over the world with different backgrounds.
How have you stayed motivated and engaged in your online classes, and what strategies have you used to ensure your success?
My coworkers encourage me constantly as I work for a local police station. I know I can go to my officers with questions and scenarios, and I get real-world answers pertaining to my field of study. Discussion boards in the coursework are a hugh plus. The professors and student peers are always challenging your mind with the discussions and feedback.
To ensure my success, I use small achievable goals weekly.
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?
Online learners often miss out on traditional campus experiences such as networking, social events, mentorship, and that sense of belonging. These organizations recognize that gap and create opportunities for connection in a virtual setting.
It also reflects an understanding that as education changes, support systems must adapt too. By providing spaces for engagement, they acknowledge the unique needs of nontraditional students, many of whom juggle school with work, family, and other responsibilities. Their efforts show that community, leadership, and personal growth can still thrive, even without a physical campus.
What significance do socializing, networking, and participating in events focused on networking and community service hold for you?
For me, socializing, networking, and taking part in events focused on community service are very meaningful because they go beyond academics and help me grow in other important ways. Socializing allows me to build supportive relationships and connect with people who understand the challenges of balancing school, work, and personal life. Networking creates opportunities to learn from others, gain mentorship, and open doors that can positively influence my future career and personal development.
Community service, on the other hand, gives purpose to those connections by allowing me to contribute to something bigger than myself. It fosters empathy, leadership, and responsibility while also making a positive impact on others. Together, these experiences create a sense of belonging, accountability, and fulfillment that can’t always be gained through academics alone.
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.