Andrea with SDSU Global Campus Dean Ian Gibson
Over the next few years, we’ll be following a group of new SDSU Global Campus students from the start of their academic journeys in the fall of 2024 all the way through graduation upon completion of their programs.
Meet Andrea Vosti, a dedicated professional in the public school system, who decided it was time to expand her impact by furthering her education. Balancing her role as a full-time employee, wife, and mother of two, Andrea is pursuing a BS in Child Development through SDSU Global Campus. We asked her about her motivations, goals, and challenges as she works toward achieving her dreams.
1. What motivated you to go back to college, and why was now the time you chose to resume your academic journey?
I currently work within the public school system, and it quickly became apparent to me that to make a difference in even more students’ lives than I presently work with, I would need to further my education. I discovered SDSU’s asynchronous, online Global Campus’ degree completion programs about a year ago. I realized that a bachelor’s degree and beyond was attainable for me while still keeping my employment with the district I work in.
2. What are your academic and career goals and how do you hope this program will help you achieve them?
Eventually, I would love to be a school psychologist. I’m pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Child Development via SDSU Global Campus, and I hope to gain acceptance into SDSU’s Masters of Science in Early Childhood and Family Clinical Counseling program upon graduating from the Global Campus program with my bachelor’s degree. The chance to already work with professors within the Child & Family Development Department at SDSU through the Global Campus program will hopefully better prepare me for applying to their master’s program upon my graduation.
3. What are you most looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to walking across that stage at Viejas Arena on graduation day and accepting my degree, knowing my husband, two boys, and closest friends and family are in attendance and cheering me on.
4. What challenges do you think you’ll face?
It’s not easy working full time, taking a full load of classes, and balancing being a present mother and wife simultaneously. My husband, who also works full time, has stepped up to take on most household duties to support me. There are plenty of nights I’m up until midnight or after finishing my homework, and plenty of social engagements I have to turn down because my homework has to come first. It’s so much work and dedication, but it’s worth it. I want my boys to know it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and chase your dreams!
5. What types of support or resources do you think will be most beneficial for you throughout the program?
My husband’s unceasing support and encouragement make this journey possible for me now. He’s a graduate of SDSU, and he’s living proof of what opportunities a degree from SDSU can bring someone living here in San Diego. Direct Subsidized Federal School Loans, and hopefully one day the PSLF program, have helped fund my Global Campus admission. I’m thankful for the responsive academic advisors the Global Campus has available, as well, because they’ve already proven to be a big help for me as I try to map out the best course for me to graduate at my own pace, and hopefully go on to be accepted into a master’s program.
6. What kinds of interactions and collaborations are you hoping to have with your program peers?
I enjoy the opportunity to engage with my classmates and peers through the Canvas Learning Management System that SDSU uses to manage its courses. Discussion boards posted to Canvas and group projects have allowed me to remain involved with my classmates at the Global Campus despite the fact that we might reside thousands of miles apart.
7. How do you see your program impacting your long-term personal and professional goals?
I can only do the work I desire to do with at-risk and underprivileged students within our public school system if I further my education. SDSU Global Campus’ asynchronous, online model has allowed me to keep my job in public schools while working towards a more impactful position there. This wouldn’t be possible for me at this time without SDSU Global Campus.
8. What do you hope to be doing immediately after completing your program?
I hope to have already been accepted into SDSU’s Master’s in Early Childhood and Family Clinical Counseling program upon completing my bachelor’s through Global Campus and be gearing up for 2+ more years of full-time school. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve realized, “If not now, when?”
9. You’re juggling many roles (parent, spouse, boss, employee, etc.); what’s your plan to juggle it all?
Organization and perseverance are key to completing online classes, and let me tell you something: I am not, in any way, a typically “organized” person. The previously mentioned Canvas, the Learning Management System that SDSU uses, has a fantastic calendar feature that 99.9% of professors utilize. It lays out what assignments are due and when for each individual student’s schedule and is my saving grace for these online classes. I check the calendar on Canvas two or three times a day- no joke. It does the organization part for me, and I just work to check off each assignment each week in the order they’re due. It’s made all the difference for me. And, as mentioned before, the ceaseless support and understanding of my wonderful husband, children, and closest friends and family make juggling it all possible while centering the pursuit of my education in my life at this time.
