Student/Alumni Testimonials

Keri VanDyke
AABA – Concentration in Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

I earned my Associate's degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science completion degree in Criminal Justice through AIU Online. While in high school, I became very interested in the criminal justice field and after researching other various careers, I decided on setting the goal of becoming a juvenile corrections officer. I planned to go to a local state college to stay close to home and be with friends, but life had other plans for me.

My senior year of high school (2004), I became pregnant and assumed all my hopes and dreams of obtaining a degree were gone. However, after delivering a beautiful baby boy in November of 2004, I was online and saw an advertisement for AIU Online's Criminal Justice degree program. It was as if fate had knocked on my door. I immediately called AIU and enrolled in their accelerated degree program. The application process was simple and quick and I was impressed at how personal and helpful the staff at AIU Online was.

Whenever I tell people that I completed college online, they always ask how I stayed on task without being in a "normal" college environment. I must admit, I worried about procrastinating on my school work at first; but the instructors and interaction with classmates helped me stay motivated to complete the program with high-quality work. While in college, I also held down a job. It was definitely a challenge being a mother, student, and waitress. Time was always a precious asset, but the degree programs at AIU Online have been created to be accommodating to nearly any schedule.

I have recommended AIU Online to friends, relatives, and acquaintances that are in need of obtaining a degree without the hassles of campus colleges. My experiences at AIU Online have been nothing short of positive and worthwhile. I have formed relationships, learned valuable information, tested my knowledge, and completed my goals. Today I am on my way to becoming a Juvenile Corrections Officer. I work for a foster care agency in a home with three teenagers – some of which have a history with the law. I love going to work everyday knowing that I am qualified to handle whatever problem or task my clients hand to me.

There are so many qualities AIU Online possesses that are worthy of boasting about, but one memory in particular always seems to come up in conversation when I tell people my "success" story. When I first applied at AIU Online, I assumed relationships with instructors would be far from personal. I imagined a cold and unrealistic Virtual Campus where students didn't interact with their peers or staff. I couldn't have been more wrong. All my instructors were only a click or phone call away. Their autobiographies were available, and I (as well as all the other students) had various opportunities to chat online, email, or post questions and comments on the discussion boards. Through these opportunities, I became especially close to my Juvenile Justice instructor. Months after I completed her course, I chose to use her as a reference as I created my résumé and filled out lots of applications. I emailed her for her permission asking if she remembered me. The next morning I awoke to a message on my cell phone from her. She was eager to help and support me, and the best part was hearing her proudly say, "Of course I remember you!" She was genuine and encouraging, which are qualities I rarely hear my friends (who are still drudging through state college programs) use to describe their instructors.

To conclude, I want to thank AIU Online for helping me realize that dreams of career opportunities are attainable. As I sit at the computer and type this testimonial, I can't help but glance to my right and smile as I look at my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice diploma. It is an honor, and I encourage anyone who desires a credible, thorough, and exceptional education to explore the opportunities AIU Online provides.

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