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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.
University of Arizona
July 9, 2025
Giovanni Rios Vega
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, airbnb
What inspired you to pursue an online college education, and how did you get started?
My kids, my wife, my family is my Inspiration on why I decided to pursue higher education. I wanted to establish not only with experience, but with education to better attain financial success. I also wanted to show my kids that anything you do you can achieve.
What challenges have you faced while pursuing your degree online, and how have you overcome them?
One of the challenges, I faced well pursuing my degree was the multiple deployment and the training environment that I had while I was in the military. And sometimes I was just lazy I didn’t like school. But like I said above my family and my kids, my wife they’re just inspiration to me to keep going, and I knew I had to reach the goal.
How have you balanced your online coursework with other responsibilities, such as work or family?
At first, it was very tricky trying to balance my life with additional requirements for school. But it became fairly easy as I grew in my relationship with my wife. And the fact that my kids can go to school for eight hours, come home do chores, play games, and spend time with us. I think as a grown adult I could do it too that was one of my biggest motivations.
What have you found to be the benefits of pursuing a college education online, compared to traditional on-campus learning?
The benefits for online enables me to live my day-to-day life, and still having the ability to pursue higher education. I was able to go to University of Arizona in which I love that school, It worked very well with my education benefits.
How have you stayed motivated and engaged in your online classes, and what strategies have you used to ensure your success?
Always motivated because of the goals that I want to achieve financially for my family. Some of the strategies that I used We’re listening to some TED talks, Involving my family and what I do daily And spiritually, just reminding myself why I’m doing this.
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 believe established in programs to which Bridging the social gap for all online students just amazing. I believe everybody has a chance to join a fraternity or Sorority that they please, and just to represent their higher learning education and have the ability to network.
What significance do socializing, networking, and participating in events focused on networking and community service hold for you?
The position that I hold currently was because of networking. I believe meeting new people and gaining knowledge of their experiences is very Important because it allows you to tackle similar experience that may occur in the future.
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.