Alice M. Leach

 

I grappled with many concerns when initially applying to the iSchool’s distance program. Would it provide the same quality education that my academic colleagues receive on campus? Would I be socially isolated from building contacts that are required to succeed in today’s professional work environment? Would I be left to my own devices: void of peer interaction, support, and collaboration? Those concerns proved to be unfounded. The iSchool provided all these benefits and more.

 

Key contacts were established within my local community while I remained amongst the individuals I valued most: my husband and young son. This would have never occurred without the flexibility provided to me by the iSchool. The iSchool, its faculty, staff, and students have, perhaps unknowingly, worked to fortify commitment when tension set in. As students, we shared our knowledge, successes, failures, and sometimes a sprinkling of humor on message boards and built continuous support with contemporaries on social networking sites. 

 

The program challenged me to think critically, evaluate the present, and anticipate the future. From this challenge an unparalleled sense of gratitude has evolved. I am proud to be selected for this position in which I may continue to share and strengthen these bonds, not only for myself, but also for all my peers. I encourage anyone with questions concerning my experience in my off-campus studies to contact me at amleach@syr.edu.