Avid Traveler Patsy Earned Her Online Bachelor’s with Honors

Meet Patsy G., an NMSU Global Campus alum whose academic success is as impressive as the list of places she’s visited. A frequent traveler for work, Patsy earned her degree online from airports, libraries, and hotels.

Balancing Studies, Gig Work, and Frequent Travel 

Patsy G. recently completed her online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program at NMSU Global Campus. She minored in Educational Leadership and Administration, earned an impressive 3.9 GPA, and graduated with honors as a Crimson Scholar. Her path to graduation was anything but traditional. Patsy balanced her studies with traveling to Native American festivals across the country for work.

“As long as I had my laptop, I could work on assignments while waiting in my hotel room or even at the airport.”

Patsy G., Class of ’24

“During my undergraduate studies, I was not a full-time employee,” Patsy shares. “I was a self-employed gig worker.” This flexible gig work combined with online courses allowed her to tailor her studies around her travel and freelance commitments. “As long as I had my laptop,” Patsy recalls, “I could work on assignments while waiting in my hotel room or even at the airport.” 

Navigating Online Learning in Rural Areas

Living on a rural Navajo Indian Reservation and traveling to other remote areas for work sometimes posed challenges with unreliable internet access. Patsy navigated those hurdles by taking the initiative to leverage every available resource.

“I sought out areas with good cell service,” she describes. “I used local libraries, utilized community centers with internet services, and took advantage of hotel internet services.” Patsy also secured a scholarship to help purchase a Starlink kit that provided high-speed satellite internet service to complete her coursework from remote locations.  

Students in Patsy’s situation may soon find even more resources available, as New Mexico has secured $675 million to expand high-speed internet access in rural and tribal areas. This initiative, which is part of a larger national effort, will help ensure that more students can access reliable internet.

Personalized Support and Customizable Learning

When exploring her college options, Patsy chose an online program at NMSU Global Campus that she could tailor to her lifestyle. “They offered programs that piqued my interest,” she elaborates. “The affordability, the overall coursework, and the support I received from professors and support staff all felt personalized and customized to my learning abilities.”

The awareness of her unique educational needs was a large factor in Patsy’s decision to enroll in an online program at NMSU Global Campus. As she explains: “The University’s commendable understanding of the challenges faced by Native American students from rural reservations has been a pillar of support in my journey.”

Another pillar was Patsy’s Student Success Mentor, who provided individualized guidance throughout her program. “[He] helped boost my confidence and self-esteem by reassuring me that I was on track,” she recounts. Patsy compliments her mentor for providing a trusting and caring environment to voice her fears, celebrate successes, and tackle Imposter Syndrome. “The impact he had on my success is not only significant,” she says, “but also one that I am genuinely grateful for.”

The Impact of Supportive Relationships on Success

Patsy’s instructors played a key role in supporting her academic success and personal development at NMSU Global Campus. “The smaller student-teacher ratios and the flexibility to reach out to my professors within 24 hours or less allowed me to form deep connections with them,” she explains.

Patsy credits her instructors with providing enriching learning opportunities, making themselves easily available, offering real-world experience and invaluable guidance. “[Their] recommendations for internships and encouragement to apply for a congressional fellowship were game changers in my professional journey,” she says. 

Patsy also points out how her success was bolstered by the steadfast support of her spouse, family, and friends: “The constant stream of encouraging texts, emails, and words of motivation made every late-night study session, deadline, and sacrifice worthwhile.”

Start A Unique Journey with NMSU Global Campus

As Patsy gears up to start her Master of Arts in Communication Studies, she is eager to pay forward the support she received during her undergraduate program. “I am deeply committed to serving as a mentor and role model for other Native American students at NMSU,” she says. “I am proud to be an Aggie alum.”

NMSU Global Campus provides an adaptable learning environment that makes higher education accessible to a wide range of learners. Our online programs cater to nontraditional students, offering flexibility for anyone who has to consider their job, family responsibilities, and other commitments while pursuing a degree. 

If you have unique circumstances and learning needs, turn them into academic success like Patsy did. Explore our 70+ flexible online degree and certificate programs, along with our supportive learning community – designed to help you thrive and achieve your goals.

Ready to start your own journey? Discover online programs at NMSU Global Campus and see how we can support you every step of the way.