Name:  Sheena Reimer
Hometown:  Meade, KS
Major: BGS Concentration in Information Networking and Telecommunications

The dream that I had of completing my Bachelor’s Degree seemed impossible to accomplish when I looked at the facts of living in a small town with no college, as well as having six small children that needed me at home. I knew I could never leave them and travel to school because I wanted to be there for them while they were little. I had already tried doing some online college courses, but was a bit discouraged as I could not get the degree or classes that I wanted through these schools. Then I saw the FHSU online schooling and was very happy about the degrees and courses they offered, as well as with their prices. They are ahead of many of the online colleges I have seen, with their entire setup in online schooling. I have been thrilled so far to be able to pursue my degree, and I am enjoying the classes as well. The help that the staff, teachers, and my advisor have given me has been great! They have been very patient in helping me to decide what classes I need to take and what major would be best for me, as well as helping me with the struggles I have had in my classes. I have had more help and interaction with the staff through this school than any of the others I have attended.
I have been able to take all of the classes I need right here in my home and have not needed to leave my children behind at all! I can attend my classes on my own schedule (or my kids’ schedule) instead of on anyone else’s. This allows me to be there for my children whenever they need me, and I don’t miss out on any of their special moments because I am gone at school. My sons and daughters have even joined in with my learning experience at times, by watching some of the videos with me that I have in my classes. It has become a learning experience that we do together making this twice as enriching as it normally would have been!
I have attended different schools on campus as well as off campus over the years, and have found the online experience through FHSU to be the best learning experience for me above all of the others. I have completed a year of schooling at FHSU by going online part-time and will be moving up to full time this fall.  In the next two years, I will be carrying on a family tradition by graduating at the same university that my Father has graduated from, only I was able to do it all at home with my children joining in with me. Thank you FHSU! 

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Name: Jeanne Billings.

Hometown: Hays, Kansas

Major: MLS Concentration in Educational Leadership and Instruction

The thought of going back to school to earn a Bachelor's degree seemed out of reach until I heard about Fort Hays State's Virtual College program. I needed a program that was flexible with my schedule since I was working full time and fulfilling my responsibilities as a wife and mother of three. Fort Hays State had just what I was looking for. After inquiring about the process of studying at the Virtual College, I enrolled. An advisor, who would support and guide me throughout the entire process of enrollment up to graduation, was assigned to me. This person was invaluable to me, always patient in helping me understand the procedures to follow and requirements to fulfill. She was only an email or phone call away.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Sociology in December 2007. By continuing my education even further, I felt the possibilities for further advancement in my career were possible. I enrolled in the FHSU Virtual College masters program immediately after graduation. I am pursuing a Masters of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Instruction. Fort Hays State has been an important player in my recent appointment as Registrar at our local 2-yr Christian College. I am proud to say I am a graduate of FHSU and would highly recommend the Virtual College as an excellent source of continuing education.

Name: Danny B.

Hometown: Mystic, Connecticut

Major:  Information Networking & Telecommunications

I wanted to complete my Bachelor Degree prior to retiring from the United States Navy.  I needed an on-line environment that provided me the flexibility to complete my studies outside my daily responsibilities. 
In 2002, I began my lifelong goal of obtaining my college degree.  While on active duty in the United States Navy, I started the research to find the right program for me and came across Fort Hays State University (FHSU) through my Navy Career Counselor.
I made my first contact with Ms. Joleen Briggs and Ms. Debbie Staab.  Both were true professionals and assisted me with enrollment requirements, helped me determine and gain college credits for my Navy-related training, and finally developed a degree roadmap that I could understand and execute.  I enrolled within a month of my first contact with FHSU.  I spent the next three years completing my bachelor’s degree in Information Networking and Telecommunication (INT) and graduated in December 2005. 
My experience at FHSU was very positive.  It is an experience that I’m glad to share with many of my shipmates, and now my civilian counterparts.  I was able to package my Navy technical training and leadership skills with a challenging curriculum in INT to earn my degree.   Throughout my program, I could pick up the phone at any time and seek advice, guidance, or assistance from anyone associated with the Virtual College, particularly in academic advising and the INT department.  The cost associated with my degree was very reasonable, and the online environment allowed me to schedule my studies around my very hectic job requirements. 
Finishing my degree was a challenge, and although stressful at times, it has been one of the most rewarding periods in my life.  FHSU afforded me the opportunity to not only achieve my education goal, but to find my dream job in my second career as a civilian.  I am now a Principal Analyst at Sonalysts, Inc. in Waterford, Connecticut, where I manage the development of online interactive multimedia (IMI) courseware as a contractor for the United Stated Navy. 

I would “HIGHLY RECOMMEND” FHSU to anyone seeking higher education!

Name: Bach H.

Hometown: Dodge City, Kansas

Major: Elementary Education

I wanted to become a teacher for a very long time, but there isn’t a college in my home town, so the Virtual College was perfect for me. I love the flexibility. I have two children—a daughter who is 8 and a son who is 3— and I work as a substitute teacher, so my schedule is very full.

The Virtual College lets me study when I have the time instead of when the school has the time. And the teachers are really supportive. Whenever I have a question, I just email. They answer almost instantly. They even help with things that aren’t exactly course work. For instance, last semester I had two courses that had to be taken together, but I’d only signed up for one. My professor spotted the problem right away, called my advisor, and fixed my schedule before I even knew I had a problem.

Some of my Virtual College classmates live here in Dodge. We get together and trade notes and work together on projects. It’s like our own little Virtual College study group.

Most of my coworkers have kids the same age as mine, and I recommend the Virtual College to them all the time. I tell them it’s flexible, they don’t have to leave their home, and they don’t have to pay a babysitter to go to school. I have a teaching job all lined up for when I graduate. I’ll teach fifth and sixth grade—all subjects, but my favorite is math.

Name: Paula L.

Hometown: Western Kansas

Major:  Special Education (Graduate)

I want to get my Master’s degree but also want to continue teaching full time.  I need an education solution that fits my work schedule and lifestyle.  The Virtual College through Fort Hays State University (FHSU) gives me what I am looking for.

The Virtual College allows me to take classes around my schedule without having to travel.  I am completing a Master’s degree in Special Education while teaching full time at a special education cooperative.  To work as a special education teacher in Kansas, it has become the norm for a teacher to have a Master’s degree.  Getting my Master’s degree through the Virtual College will give me a broader understanding of education principles and how students learn.

Another factor in choosing the FHSU Virtual College was cost.  After checking on other options for distance learning in special education, the Virtual College was the best value.  Cost is not the only factor, but it is certainly important.

Virtual College teachers are very conscientious and understand that many virtual students have full time jobs in addition to their school work.  I have referred and will continue to refer others to the Virtual College because the faculty are genuinely interested in student success.

I look forward to completing my Master’s degree and encourage any teacher to look into the Virtual College as an education opportunity.

Name: James C.

Hometown: “The Road”

Major: RN to BSN program

I want to get my Master’s degree and eventually a PhD, but I need to work as well.  Right now I am finishing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the RN - to - BSN program.  The program is offered by the Fort Hays State University Department of Nursing through the Virtual College. 

The program is perfect for me.  I am a traveling nurse and need an education that can move with me.  I can’t be “on campus” because one week I might be in Kansas and the next week I might be in California.  With the Virtual College it doesn’t matter, they work around my schedule, not the other way around. 

Virtual College classes are affordable and the website is very user friendly.  I have enjoyed all the classes that I have taken and would recommend the Virtual College to any RN that wants to further their education.  For me, there is nothing better than completing my degree while moving about. 

The faculty are ready and willing to work with students and if you are considering a virtual education in any field, I highly recommend the FHSU Virtual College.