New RU Alumnus Goes the Distance for Education

Justin Shelton’s efforts to graduate from Radford University put the “distance” in distance education.

Shelton, from his self-described “sandy and desolate” work space in Iraq, completed his bachelor’s degree from RU in December through the university’s Distance Evening Completion Program, which allows students with associate’s degrees to earn bachelor’s degrees in computer science and technology.

The program became particularly useful to Shelton, of Richlands, in March 2010 when his employer, Ideal Innovations, Inc., sent him to Iraq, where his day job is to deploy and maintain his company’s biometrics systems and assist military troops with the systems. After a long day at work, Shelton transitioned into a student in the evenings to work toward his degree.

“My bachelor’s degree from Radford opens up a world of possibilities,” Shelton said. “Not only does it say to employers that I am dedicated to my education and future, but gives me the experience and knowledge to further my abilities on the job.”

The Distance Evening Completion Program, which began in 2008, provides an online path from an associate degree to a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science and technology with concentrations in database and software engineering. The coursework is completed online through a web meeting tool which offers two-way audio and visual capabilities.

“I didn’t have to make a choice between my career and my schooling with this program,” noted Shelton, who is due back in the United States in March 2011. “It allowed me to maintain the proper balance I needed and not have to make a sacrifice in the area of my life I hold very important, which is my continuing education.”

The program far exceeded Shelton’s expectations, he said as he praised professors such as David Daugherty for being eager and ready to help at all times. “The level of transparency and communication was amazing, and a much better experience than the ‘set it and forget it’ style of distance education I was used to.”

Shelton, who was among the 500 students who received degrees from Radford University during Winter Commencement in December, plans to use his degree to advance his career in biometrics and someday start his own business.