UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year marked the 25th anniversary of Penn State World Campus, which began offering education online in 1998. To celebrate this milestone, a monthly series of articles highlighted the success of World Campus students and alumni.
Check out the lineup of articles that were featured this year.
The anniversary celebration began in January with an article that focused on the history of Penn State World Campus. What started as a course in turfgrass management in 1998 evolved to an institution that is part of the core fabric of the University.
For the next several months, the spotlight turned to the wide selection of degree programs that are available online.
The first part of the World Campus portfolio to be featured was its degrees in communications in February. One student, Nate Abdo, sought out a master’s degree in strategic communications after being out of the industry for 10 years.
In March, the focus was on the variety of engineering degrees that are offered online, from software to electrical to mechanical. Renee Dorer is one of the graduates who said what she learned in her mechanical engineering courses has helped her in her work.
Penn State has a long history of training future educators, and its selection of degrees in education continue that legacy. In April, the series focused on the success of educators like Jeni Kocher Zerphy, who said her master’s degree has helped her become a better teacher.
World Campus has a comprehensive selection of health and nursing degree programs. In the article published in May, Jackie Velilla talked about how she used the master’s in health administration when she started her own business in the health care field.
In June, the series featured the business and management degree programs with testimonials from students like Alexia Kirkwood. She wanted to be able to help clients market their products, and she enrolled in and completed the master’s in marketing analytics and insights.
Students and alumni say the degrees in the liberal arts have given them a well-rounded education that has helped them be successful and achieve their personal goals. In July, students like Kim Reiker, who completed a bachelor’s in history as a springboard to a new purpose and career, talked about how their liberal arts degrees are helping them advance their personal and professional goals.
In August, the spotlight was on the partnerships with businesses and organizations through the Penn State World Campus Education Alliance. Alan Love, who works for partner Bell Flight, chose an MBA to give him the skills to be a better collaborator across his global company.
World Campus offers a variety of public policy and law degree programs, which were featured in September. Students like MarielAnne Sacayan, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, said she was able to apply what she was learning toward her job.
In October, the series put the spotlight on the science and technology degree programs. Melissa Lopez is one graduate who said her degree is helping her work for what she is passionate about — protecting the Earth.
November’s spotlight featured military learners like Tim Kluska, who has had a successful career in finance since graduating with his bachelor’s degree in finance.
The last installment of the 25th anniversary series focused on the success of students who receive scholarships through World Campus. Kathy Burett said a scholarship program that helps students like her navigate their first two semesters of learning online was vital to her success.