More than Just a Degree
Obianuju Akusoba had heard the myths about online universities: that no employer would recognize her degree, that she would never be able to succeed in her chosen profession, and that she would miss out on the sense of community fostered at traditional schools.
“I had never been exposed to any form of online education format,” Akusoba said. “I was a little bit hesitant. First of all, there was no in-person support. I couldn't walk into a professor's office to ask questions.”
With a GED to her name, Akusoba had built a successful career as an IT support technician. After being promoted three times in as many years, Akusoba realized that to advance any further, she would need to pursue some form of higher education. But spending hours each day in a classroom at a traditional brick-and-mortar school simply wasn’t an option for Akusoba, who, like so many others, could not afford to sacrifice her employment for her educational aspirations.
So despite her reservations, she gave online learning a chance and enrolled in the software development bachelor’s degree program at Western Governors University (WGU).
“Learning that I could still get my job and still go to school was really empowering,” Akusoba said. “As soon as I got settled in my role as a student, all of my worries went away.”
Out of the Classroom, Into the Workforce
The traditional model of higher education, which requires students to dedicate extensive hours to classwork over several years, has grown increasingly unattainable for students like Akusoba. That’s why WGU has embraced the innovative approach of competency-based education, which allows learners to progress through their coursework based on their mastery of the subject matter, rather than adhering to a rigid time-based structure based on credit hours.
“Competency-based education really helps an individual, particularly those that are working learners, move at the pace that's right for them,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “It helps them accelerate through those things that they know while giving time and attention and focus to those areas that they need to develop a greater grasp of or a greater proficiency around.”
Under this model, students can earn their degree and get into the workforce quickly rather than sitting stationary for weeks in a traditional course environment. By applying the knowledge and experiences she had gained while working in the field, Akusoba was able to breeze through introductory IT courses and move onto more advanced subject matter that would enable her to pivot her career toward software development.
“I was able to knock out a lot more classes than I would probably have done if I was brand new [to IT],” she said.
A Network 10,000 Strong
Education isn’t just about what you learn or how you learn it; equally important are the relationships you form along the way. Contrary to popular belief about online universities, Night Owls are more than just numbers on a screen. WGU emphasizes the importance of community building, assigning a mentor to each student and encouraging participation in student organizations.
“We know the inherent worth of every individual, and we are focused on changing their lives for the better one student at a time,” President Pulsipher said.
During her time at WGU, Akusoba connected with her fellow students as the very first president of the WGU Women in Tech Club.
“I saw it as an opportunity to connect with other students, learn from them, build a bond, even grow a community of other like-minded people, women, and also other folks who identify as allies for women in technology,” she said.
Founded in 2019 with fewer than 70 participants, Akusoba helped build Women in Tech into a network of more than 10,000 women and allies who are either pursuing or have completed their degrees through WGU. That means over 10,000 individuals are prepared to pursue careers in some of the most high-demand fields across the country.
“They're now encouraging each other not only in their pursuit of their degree, but also in the attainment of the jobs and opportunities they're wanting to pursue,” President Pulsipher said. “It’s wonderful and incredibly inspiring to see.”
Competency-Based Education Builds Resilient, Skilled Professionals
Like so many WGU Night Owls, Akusoba has gone on to defy the stereotypes—and then some.
Today, Akusoba is employed as a software developer for a major data analytics company. She is pursuing a master’s degree at one of the predominant programs in her field, and in November 2023, she was honored with a Distinguished Graduate Award at a networking event for WGU’s College of IT.
In front of a crowd of her peers and industry professionals, Akusoba was presented with the award by one of her personal mentors, Schlaine Hutchins, head of IT and Governance at Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.
“I'm just super excited tonight to be celebrating Obi, because she has changed me and made me take a look at myself and do more,” Hutchins said. “She is phenomenal. She's a young woman with a lot of talent, skill, passion, and compassion for others, and she is limitless in her possibilities and what she's been able to create.”
Akusoba is living proof that there is no such thing as “just” an online degree. She is a model of passion, resilience, talent, and grit. And she is a WGU Night Owl.
“I've been able to break all the ceilings,” Akusoba said. “I've worked at two companies ever since then. I've been accepted at Ivy League colleges. Literally everything they said you couldn't do with an online degree, I have done. So that's something I'm very proud of.”
