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Student Spotlight: Rebekah Sarmiento, M.Ed. Instructional Design

Rebekah Sarmiento student spotlight

Current occupation:

Operations Management

What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?

I decided to pursue the degree as an adult because I wanted to progress in my career and serve as a role model for my daughter.

Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?

Tiffin University offered the degree program I was interested in that worked with my life circumstances. As a military spouse, mother, and a woman who is neurodiverse, I was drawn to Tiffin University’s options for online classes and their extensive support services that have helped me ensure my academic success.

Describe your experience with the program so far.

My experience with the program has been a positive one. I was anxious about going back to graduate school since it had been about ten years since I finished my last degree program. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the support I have received before and during my course of study. Additionally, the technology has been easy to use and applicable to my courses and career.

The faculty at Tiffin University have been responsive and supportive. I feel like they are there to help me in my academic journey and that they want me to succeed. My cohort has been fun and engaging to work with. Some of our classes have had required group work which gives me a chance to communicate with my peers and work together on large projects. Doing so has given me an invaluable experience.

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How are you juggling work, life and going back to school? Any tips?

Juggling school, work, and family while also going to graduate school has been an exercise in time management. Before beginning my degree program, I was extremely nervous about how I would handle it all. Luckily, Tiffin University organizes their online classes so that each week’s assignments build towards a final project. Because of the way the classes are structured, I am able to set aside time each week to complete assignments. I also appreciated the availability of the writing lab where I could receive feedback on assignments before turning them in.

What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?

My motivation for staying in the program is my daughter. I want to be a positive role model for her as she grows up.

What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?

The advice I would give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school is that Tiffin University can work with you to help achieve your personal and professional goals. There are a lot of support services, including disability services, that are in place to help you do your best.

TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?

I am generally a risk-averse person so the decision to go back to school gave me extreme anxiety. In fact, I had trouble sleeping for several days before my first class started and I considered withdrawing. Yet, taking that risk of going back to school was worth it because it helped me secure a better job during the process and it showed me that sometimes it’s important to take risks that will help improve your life.