2008 Winner: Shawna Sweeney

Dakota State University Online

Online Degree:
Master of Science in Information Systems Management

GetEducated.com has awarded a Scholarship for Excellence in Online Education and Distance Learning to Shawna Sweeney, of Waukon, Iowa.

Sweeney, a working mother of two young boys, is enrolled with Dakota State University’s Online Master of Science in Information Systems Management. She is currently employed in her area of study, as a health systems analyst at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

“When I decided to continue my education the main item I had to consider was cost,” says Sweeney. She chose Dakota State Online because the university, a GetEducated.com Best Buy, combined quality name-brand recognition with low cost.

Sweeney’s dream job, after earning her master's online, is “to teach online for a community college or university in either a health information technology or information systems program.”

The working mother credits online education with allowing her to advance in her life and in her career. “As a working mother of two small children, online learning is the only option for me. If I could not obtain a degree online I would not have gotten my bachelor's degree or be working toward my master's.”

Sweeney sees higher education as something to value, and is glad she is able to model continuing education for her sons.

“I want to instill in my children the importance and power of a great education. I want to show them that that if you work hard in life you can go anywhere and do anything you want.”


Previous Distance Education Scholarship Winners

Glenn Amundson



College:
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Degree Sought:
Master's in Criminal Justice

GetEducated.com is pleased to partner with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to award Glenn Amundson a $1,000 Excellence in Online Learning Scholarship.

“Glenn’s scholarship application immediately surfaced to the top,” says Sara Davis, Outreach Specialist and Scholarship Coordinator at UW-P. “Along with working full-time and going to school, Glenn is very active in the community and carries his dedication through to his family life.”

Attending college online has allowed Glenn to stay connected to his family and his career while studying toward his graduate degree.

“The assignments are challenging and the teachers are easily accessible,” says Glenn.

Glenn, who is employed as a social worker by the State of Wisconsin/Mendota Mental Health Institute, first enrolled in the distance degree program in January 2007.

“With the criminal justice major, I would like to work in the victim services field, helping inmates or patients return to the community,” he says.

At age 57, Glenn sees the master’s degree as important to his career and personal development in several ways.

“I would like to think I can still learn, and that I still have something to offer. I would like my granddaughter to see me graduate from UW-Platteville. I hope that I can watch her graduate from college someday, hopefully UW-Platteville.”


Ken Wiegman



College:
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Degree Sought:
Master's in Criminal Justice


GetEducated.com is pleased to partner with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to award a Distance Education Scholarship to graduate student Ken Wiegman.

Ken is a computer support specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Aside from working at the university, Ken is also a 20-year member of the Wisconsin National Guard. For 13 years, he served with the 229th Engineer Detachment in Platteville. Presently he is enlisted as a Master Sergeant in the 115th Fighter Wing Air National Guard in Madison.

"I have both a working background in law enforcement and more recently in the information technology field," says Ken. "Presently I am working on a master's degree in criminal science and I hope to use my background to teach and possibly develop coursework framed around technology and law enforcement.

Ken says that working on his master's degree online "has proved to be more challenging and rewarding than I had anticipated. It takes a lot of discipline to stay on top of the coursework."

Joining student activity groups at UW-Platteville, such as the Student Advisory Board and the Graduate School Council, has been important to his online student experience.

Says Ken: "Getting involved in these extra activities has helped to build a sense of community with fellow online students and faculty."


Related Resources

GetEducated.com Online Education Scholarship Program
Great Online and Distance Learning Scholarships


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