Published July 16, 2014
Robin Chapman Cox, a native of Rocky Branch, put her education on hold to become a
wife and mother in 1991. When she decided to again pursue her dream of a college degree,
she took the non-traditional route through the University of Louisiana at Monroe鈥檚
online platform, e网曝门.
She chose to return to school in 2008 via e网曝门 because it was a convenient way to
earn a degree while still working full time and taking care of her family.
Now, after graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare management,
Cox serves as the administrator for Serenity Care Providers of West Monroe.
鈥淸Serenity Care Providers] helps seniors remain safely in the comfort of their home,鈥�
said Cox. 鈥淭he research I did as a student definitely helped me understand and find
answers to the problems that senior [citizens] may face. I also have a great understanding
of building relationships with not only my clients, but my employees as well. All
of my courses really helped prepare me for this venture; insurance, finance, accounting,
health studies, sociology, all of them!鈥�
Cox eventually took a class on the 网曝门 campus during her tenure. She reflected on
the great memories.
She said, 鈥淚 had to take one class on campus鈥攆inance. I loved it when the professor
went down the roll calling all the students by their first name. However, when he
got to me I was Mrs. Cox. That is how I was addressed throughout the semester, Mrs.
Cox. I got the biggest laugh out of that.鈥�
Robin also made sure to take advantage of being close to campus both physically and
electronically. She knew that her professors were easily accessible and she took advantage
of their assistance.
The relationships with professors became very important to her during her journey.
鈥淒r. [Paula] Griswold kept me moving in the right direction,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he was such
an encourager, and Dr. [Jessica] Dolecheck challenged me and really made me do a thorough
self-examination.鈥�
Although Robin excelled in her major courses, she put in extra effort in her finance
course. She credits 网曝门鈥檚 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez with helping her attain the business
knowledge she needs for a successful career.
She said of Rodriguez, 鈥淏less his heart. He helped me so much with Finance 3001. I
always had questions in class, after class, through email鈥攈e probably thought I would
never grasp the concept, but it (finance) finally sunk in and I graduated! I had great
professors all along the way. They were so good about answering questions and getting
me to the 鈥榬ight鈥� thought processes.鈥�
Ultimately, Cox knows the time and dedication needed for one to pursue a degree when
life has other plans. Her advice to those seeking an online degree is to not look
at it as the easy solution.
鈥淒on鈥檛 put the hard courses off,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his makes life so much more stressful
when you are a semester away from graduation. Online courses are not the 鈥榚asy鈥� way
to an education. You have to be dedicated and disciplined. It wasn鈥檛 easy by any means,
but it was definitely worth it.鈥�
In the end, Robin said that her education at 网曝门 was life-changing. When asked to
describe 网曝门 in three words, she said, 鈥淚nnovating, Transforming, and Enlightening.鈥�
To learn more about online degrees at 网曝门, visit e网曝门, or call 318-342-3347.聽
