Learner Online Learning Innovator Scholarship for Veterans

As a Navy veteran, I’ve grown used to adapting quickly, solving problems under pressure, and finding unconventional paths forward. That mindset carried with me after I left the service, especially as I began to pursue higher education. I didn’t follow a traditional academic route. I worked full-time, navigated PTSD, and balanced mental health management while trying to reintegrate into civilian life. What made it possible for me to push forward wasn’t just determination. It was technology. Online education became more than just a convenience. It became a bridge to possibility. Virtual tools allowed me to learn on my own schedule, to rewatch lectures when I was struggling with focus, and to continue progressing even when I was dealing with mental health setbacks. I’ve used platforms like Coursera and edX to dive into advanced topics before I enrolled in formal academic programs. These platforms let me experiment, explore, and rebuild confidence in my ability to learn. I also relied heavily on Khan Academy when I was brushing up on quantitative skills before my MBA program and now use tools like Tableau Public, Python communities on GitHub, and Excel tutorials on YouTube to supplement my applied analytics coursework. Zoom and virtual collaboration platforms like Slack and Miro have helped me stay connected with classmates and colleagues even while juggling part-time jobs or traveling between states. It’s allowed me to study from airports, waiting rooms, and coffee shops, turning downtime into productive learning moments. More than that, it has helped me build a strong professional network despite not being physically on campus every day. Some of my strongest academic collaborations began on Slack threads or Zoom breakout rooms. But the most powerful part of online education is how it’s allowed me to apply my learning directly. After completing a course on data storytelling, I built a portfolio that landed me freelance work helping nonprofits make sense of their program data. After finishing a predictive analytics workshop, I created a model to help a local veteran-owned business better forecast seasonal demand. These weren’t hypothetical assignments. They were real-world problems I could help solve because I had access to high-quality learning, flexible enough to integrate into my life. For someone like me, whose academic path has been shaped by trauma, recovery, and transition, the flexibility of online learning isn’t just a perk. It’s the reason I’ve made it this far. And now that I’ve been accepted to Columbia University’s Applied Analytics program, I plan to continue integrating online tools into my education building skills not only for my own career but to help others along the way. I want to use my education to improve lives, particularly in underserved and veteran communities. Online learning has shown me that barriers don’t have to stop people from accessing education. With the right tools and support, anyone can learn. That’s the future I want to build toward where knowledge is available, accessible, and actionable, no matter who you are or where you’re starting from.

As a veteran and a graduate student balancing roles as a mother and an intern, online platforms have become my mission-critical tools for education and growth. My experience as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy taught me to adapt to complex environments and think critically under pressure. That adaptability now drives how I approach my studies in criminal justice and social work, and online tools like Google Scholar, Coursera, and virtual libraries play a pivotal role in that process.These platforms are more than just convenient, they’re transformative. During my military service, I often relied on rapid access to resources and efficient decision-making to deliver healthcare in high-pressure situations. Online learning mirrors that environment by offering me the flexibility to balance academic rigor with real-world responsibilities. For example, Coursera’s expertly designed courses provide structured modules that establish a foundation, while peer discussions and interactive components challenge me to think critically and collaborate with diverse perspectives. Recently, I used these tools to refine my understanding of restorative justice, which directly informed strategies I now implement during court observations and advocacy work with the Center for Children’s Rights. Google Scholar has become an indispensable tool in my research process, enabling me to access cutting-edge studies and evidence-based practices. This is critical not only for academic success but also for ensuring my work aligns with the latest developments in juvenile justice. By leveraging these resources, I can create actionable solutions that make a tangible impact, whether it’s through improving housing placement timelines for families or designing interventions that reduce the time children spend in coordinated entry systems. Virtual learning platforms have also revolutionized how I approach collaboration. Digital tools like Zoom and online libraries connect me with instructors and peers across disciplines, fostering a diverse learning environment. This global perspective enriches my work, ensuring that the strategies I develop are informed by a wide range of cultural and social experiences, something I’ve valued deeply since my time serving in Japan, Guam, and the Philippines. Flexibility is another critical advantage of online learning. These platforms allow me to tailor my studies around my son’s school activities, and my responsibilities as an intern. Whether I’m analyzing research papers late at night or reviewing coursework in the moments between court observations, I can maintain peak performance in all aspects of my life. This adaptability not only fuels my academic growth but also strengthens my ability to navigate complex challenges in my future career. What sets online learning apart is its ability to transform passive knowledge into active application. It’s not just about absorbing information; it’s about using that information to push boundaries, solve problems, and create meaningful change. For example, an online module on systemic inequality didn’t just help me understand policy nuances; it reshaped my approach to advocacy by giving me tools to break down barriers and drive collaborative solutions. Online platforms have become a vehicle for more than just learning, they’re a means of personal evolution. They allow me to bridge the gap between the rigor of academia and the demands of real life, ensuring I’m always operating at the edge of my potential. Just as my military training prepared me to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure, these tools equip me to approach education and advocacy with the same resilience and forward momentum. With online platforms, I’m not just pursuing academic goals, I’m building a foundation for lifelong impact. This scholarship would further fuel that journey, empowering me to continue pushing boundaries and applying what I learn to create meaningful change in the world.

As a law and policy major who tends to choose courses that I know will challenge me, online platforms, tools, and resources have been essential to furthering my understanding of what I'm studying. Until college, I often used Quizlet to help with memorization. The flashcards and memory games made vocabulary a breeze. But, now that my assignments are typically long-form writing assignments to demonstrate my understanding of a concept, I've found that YouTube and Coursera are the most beneficial to me as a student. Within academia, YouTube has garnered a reputation similar to that of Wikipedia. Professors warn against using YouTube because it is a platform where anyone can post anything, whether it is accurate or not. To me, this is unfair. YouTube has thousands of vetted experts posting videos on topics they are passionate about. For example, the channel The Amoeba Sisters is a collaboration between real-life sisters, one creating the art, and the other, using what she's learned from her MS in biological sciences, narrates. There are countless other examples, in almost every subject, of highly educated and talented people making videos curated for those who want to learn. If I am struggling in a class, there is surely some YouTube creator who will be able to explain the topic in a different way, which will help me succeed. Of course, sometimes I need to verify that the creator has experience in whatever field they're discussing. But, generally, people with educational channels post their credentials anyway, making it easier to tell who to trust. The other platform I use is Coursera. Coursera is a website/app where accredited universities can post online, self-paced versions of their courses. Right now, I'm taking a course on how law and ethics intersect in the context of running a business. Since the courses are self-paced, it is ideal for someone who wants to supplement their learning while already enrolled at a college/university. It is also ideal for anyone curious about a topic, especially as the courses are free. Earning a certificate for completing a Coursera course is possible but comes with a fee. However, the platform has granted me three full scholarships, meaning I have received credit for completing two courses (then, the one I am currently taking). The scholarship opportunities, and ease of application, make it clear to me that Coursera is truly invested in broadening access to education. Though I am quite wary of AI, it has been helpful to me when doing research. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard can process more complex search queries than a typical search engine. As an intern whose responsibilities often include finding specific and obscure pieces of information, AI has certainly been useful. In an increasingly digitized world, online learning is now more popular and extensive than ever. It has helped me understand subjects I struggle with and enhanced my interest in subjects I love. Though YouTube and Coursera are what work for me, there are many other educational platforms online to explore. As I work toward my degree, I'm sure to utilize more of these resources.