Julissa’s Journey to an Online EdTech Master’s Degree

Julissa R. persevered through homelessness and health issues while earning her online master’s in educational learning technologies at NMSU Global Campus. Through it all, the proud Global grad discovered her own resilience and determination to keep going.

“When I first started my journey to return to school, my youngest daughter was two years old,” she recalls. “Literally right when I first started, I ended up becoming homeless. And during that time, I knew that I did not want to give up. I did not want to drop out.”

Knowing she had to adapt, “Jules” — she goes by her nickname — found creative ways to navigate the challenges she faced.

Flexible Online Learning Helped Julissa Earn Her Master’s Degree 

While enrolled in NMSU’s online Master of Arts in Education: Educational Learning Technologies program, Jules recalls being involved in a motor vehicle accident that left her with six bulging discs in her spine. Additionally, she experienced a separate workplace accident that required surgery. During this period, she also escaped domestic violence in her personal life. At times, Jules and her daughter experienced homelessness, living and sleeping in her car while she continued her studies.

“I lowered my course load to just one class a semester for about a year and a half,” she explained. “And during that time, I was doing my homework in my car — anywhere that had Wi-Fi, pretty much — because I was determined not to give up.”

Jules felt that the asynchronous classes, flexible scheduling options, and supportive faculty made NMSU Global Campus the right place to complete her degree.

NMSU’s Supportive Faculty Made All the Difference

Professors Julia Parra and Melissa Warr from NMSU’s School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership (TPAL) connected her with resources, set up Zoom calls, and helped customize her schedule so Jules could keep attending classes. They continually encouraged Jules and helped her keep going through the tough times.

“I knew if I gave up, it was very unlikely that I would return to school, so I just kept pushing through until I was able to get back on my feet,” Jules recalled. “Then I started taking more than a full course load.”

There are times in life when we need a little support but don’t know how to ask for it. Jules shows us that it is easy to get stuck in our own heads, and while reaching out for help can be tough, you might be surprised by how many people want to help if you just let them know.

“You have what it takes,” she said. “No matter what comes your way, don’t be afraid to speak up. Reach out to everybody because staying quiet isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

Understanding Herself as a Neurodivergent Learner

Jules received an autism diagnosis later in life, which helped her better understand some of the struggles she had faced as a child. Noticing similarities between her own behaviors and the ways her daughters engaged with the world prompted her to seek an evaluation. She says the diagnosis helped her have more compassion for herself, supported her journey toward healing, and helped her better care for her two daughters with special needs.

The road to her edtech master’s degree was one of the hardest journeys of her life, she said, “but I keep pushing through because I have my two daughters cheering me on from the sidelines, and I have to stay strong for them.”

Despite the emotional abuse, physical injuries, and financial hardship she experienced, Jules kept going, motivated in part by proving wrong anyone who doubted her.

“You’re telling me that I can’t do it? Watch me. That’s a lot of my motivation.”

Julissa R., Class of 2025

Speaking at her spring 2025 commencement ceremony, Jules told the crowd about a passion project blog that offers resources to help others learn more about autism, ADD, and PTSD.

“I have a personal project called After the Wolf, where every story, every life, has a big bad wolf,” Jules said. “Those are just challenges that you face in your life. It could be anything from homelessness, from abuse, from anything. But you overcome them. You face those wolves, and you learn how to walk with them.”

“These wolves have turned my story into more of an adventure book,” Jules said. “Because unfortunately, my life has had a lot of wolves.” 

Understanding that many things are easier said than done, Jules reminds us that sometimes it’s OK not to be strong and to need help. Sometimes that extra support is what gets us to the other side.

“No matter what wolves come your way, there is life after the wolf,” she said. “And that’s something that I want everyone to remember. Face those wolves, learn to walk with them and not fight them.”

Find Your Place at NMSU Global Campus

Is anything holding you back from returning to college? As Julissa R. so beautifully demonstrates, it’s never too late.
 
With over 90 career-focused online programs and a Graduation Team by your side, we meet you where you are and help you move forward with purpose.
 
You can also request information to connect with an NMSU Global Campus admissions advisor to discuss your options.