Student Stories

Nearly a decade after she dropped out of high school, Kelli Jo was washing the breakfast dishes and watching three small children play when Reba McEntire’s “Is There Life Out There?” played on the radio. In that moment, her life changed.Read More

Lt. Amy Blades-Langjahr stopped by the Eastern Kentucky University campus to visit the professors and staff who supported her throughout her EKU Online degree program. The 21-year veteran of the United States Navy had recently completed her bachelor’s degree in fire, arson and explosion investigation. She hoped to walk across the stage on graduation day,...Read More

Due to family and financial circumstances, Jason did not receive formal education after third grade. “Educational neglect is a larger problem for rural Appalachia and other parts of the country than people really understand,” said Jason who grew up in London, Kentucky. Motivated to create his own opportunities, he earned his GED and an associate...Read More

EKU Online’ s 2017 Outstanding Student of the Year Award was presented to Deborah Blanchard, an undergraduate student majoring in Corrections & Juvenile Justice.Read More

Jim Johns chose to earn his bachelor’s degree in a field he is passionate about. Several years ago, he was assisting GED instructors in jails and halfway houses as a favor to a friend. One evening the instructor did not show up, so he agreed to teach.Read More

If it’s football season, Samantha O’Leary is in the stands. Her brother plays for a college team, and she’s his biggest fan. If it’s not game day, she and her husband are planning their next trip or spending time with friends.Read More

Toby Coyle is a 16-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police. Sergeant Coyle is a 1999 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and is currently enrolled in the EKU Online master’s degree program in justice, policy and leadership.Read More

“EKU offered the MPA program completely online. This was my only opportunity to complete the program, as a working mother,” said EKU Online MPA program graduate Julie Curry.Read More

I have loved the convenience of taking classes online with EKU but still being challenged to the same extent I would expect by sitting in a brick-and-mortar classroom.Read More