Student Stories Archives | University of Florida Online

UF Online Paves Path to a UF Bachelor’s Degree for Wage War Guitarist Seth Blake

November 16, 2020

Touring the world is a dream for many aspiring musicians. For Seth Blake, 27, this has become a reality. The Ocala, Florida, native always knew he wanted to go to college, focusing his studies in the health sciences field. His educational plans became a little more challenging when his band, Wage War, was signed to

A Gator’s Perspective: Why Choose UF Online?

October 15, 2020

It is no surprise that a growing number of undergraduate students are choosing to pursue their education online. The flexibility of completing coursework from anywhere makes an online pathway to a bachelor’s degree appealing. This is especially true for students who have busy schedules or simply rather not be tied down to an in-person schedule.

Gator Advances Her Nursing Career with a UF BSN at Age 47

July 31, 2020

It’s never too late to pursue your passion. For Betty Alcover, 47, making the transition from the financial side to the medical side of healthcare was a keen goal of hers. Starting out in insurance billing at a top hospital in Tampa, FL, Betty longed for patient care. To achieve her dreams of becoming a

What Are the Benefits of Taking University Classes Online?

July 15, 2020

Choosing a versatile online pathway for college isn’t just for working adults. This is a trend that online universities are seeing within their enrollment. While many online schools first began to offer more accessible courses for students who need flexibility, more and more first-time college students are also opting for an online pathway right after

From Fighting Fires with the Air Force to Building an Identity for U.S. Olympic Weightlifting

June 29, 2020

Going to school while serving in the Air Force can seem difficult. But as Xavier Leal, a former firefighter in the U.S. Air Force, shares his story, it becomes clear that serving in the U.S. Military has helped shape him into the successful student he is today in UF Online: one who can overcome hardships

UF Fire & Emergency Services Alum Balances His Education, Career, and Family

June 19, 2020

Anthony Moore, 40, wears many hats. Besides being a regional safety and risk manager at Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the world’s largest brewing companies, he is also a father, husband, UF Online Student Ambassador, and a graduate student. While Anthony’s schedule has always been busy, his life significantly changed after getting his UF degree in

Army Veteran Earns His B.S. in Microbiology & Cell Science via UF Online

May 29, 2020

Courage, ambition, and perseverance are just a few words to describe U.S. Army veteran Kennedy Musembi, who at 27 years old has accomplished so much. One of those big accomplishments was graduating with his UF bachelor’s in Microbiology & Cell Science: a degree he wasn’t sure would be possible at the time while he was

Gator Mother and Daughter Both Earn UF Bachelor’s in Criminology

May 8, 2020

Great accomplishments rarely happen overnight. For Julie Cochran, the journey to earning her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology has taken ten years. She never imagined that she would graduate at the same time, from the same university, with the same degree as her daughter Emily. Julie, 51, is a mother of three, works a full-time

UF Online RN to BSN Nursing Alum Continues to Further Her Education

May 6, 2020

The phrase “not all heroes wear capes, some wear scrubs” is one that Amelia Nichols Alava may hear more than once as a nurse at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. At the hospital, Amelia serves as a clinical leader for the Burn Center, which specializes in helping post-surgical burn patients. Outside of her

America’s Got Talent finalist, Dariel Liakhovetski, makes his mark as a UF Microbiology & Cell Science student

April 24, 2020

It’s not every day that you find out one of your Gator peers was a finalist on America’s Got Talent. As surprising as it may be for his classmates and professors, Dariel Liakhovetski, 19, was a viral sensation along with his brother for their impressive musical performance on the hit television show. While Dariel continues

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