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Capella University
Allana Da Graca
Faculty member at Walden University
Class of 2012, Ph.D. in education
Capella University
An artistic person by nature, Allana Da Graca was never afraid to go against the grain, even when it came to higher education. She previously studied creative communications and new media at the undergraduate and master’s level, and was immediately drawn to the innovative format of online education when she started researching Ph.D. programs. Most notably, Capella University offered her the quality learning environment she was looking for in a school. “Capella University is a non-traditional university that has the strength of valuing diverse learners,” said Da Graca. “I applied because of the flexibility and straight-forward curriculum the university offers.”
In 2008, Da Graca enrolled in Capella’s online Ph.D. program in education. As a full-time professor, it was important to Da Graca that she not only have the flexibility of completing coursework on her own schedule, but be able to apply the material she learned directly as she instructed her own students. It was this focus on building scholar practitioners that Da Graca truly valued. “It was excellent to see theoretical concepts come to life,” she said. Da Graca also appreciated that the curriculum was tailored to her specific interests. “Some traditional doctoral programs mandate many courses that may or not be of interest to the topic of choice,” she said. “However, my non-traditional ideas on education and my desire for independence were validated by Capella.”
Even as a highly motivated learner, Da Graca often felt the pressure of the online environment when it came to her dissertation research. “The biggest challenge of earning my Ph.D. with the university was not having adequate face-to-face dialogue,” said Da Graca. However, she ultimately saw this challenge as an opportunity for growth. “Although this isolation can be daunting, it strengthens your independence and scholarship, as you are forced to grapple with the research on your own.” In hopes of utilizing all the resources Capella offered to enrich her education, Da Graca took the lead in forming a study group for doctoral students around the globe. “I valued the program more after I realized the global network I was a part of,” she said. “Having a virtual meeting with learners allowed members from Hawaii to call in, which was a great benefit.”
Da Graca is currently a faculty member at Walden University where she can directly apply her experience in the education program at Capella. “Attending a college online allowed me to understand the needs of non-traditional students who desire a level of independence in their learning,” she noted. “Capella has also tapped the entrepreneurial passion within me as I have been able to consult with institutions about curriculum development.”
As someone with experience both as a student and an instructor in the online environment, Da Graca encouraged prospective students to do thorough research before enrolling. “Ask questions about the success rates of students and their outcomes,” she suggested. “Consider researching alumni and asking them about their program. Also, consider the sacrifices that you will endure when choosing an online school.” Students should be aware of not only what the program itself will entail, but how it will effect with their personal and working lives as well. “They should also consider the benefit of slowly transitioning into a rigorous program, to see how it affects their ability to care for their family and attend a full-time job.” This can help students prevent an initial burn out that may occur, especially for those who have been out of school for a long period of time, according to Da Graca.
In Da Graca’s opinion, Capella’s commitment to accommodating the specific needs of adult learners makes them one of the best online colleges. “Other institutions often recommend that a student not work while completing the first two years, but Capella encourages you to apply your education right away as you continue to work,” she explained. Additionally, Da Graca noted the benefit of the professional experience Capella’s faculty brought with them. “Capella is an excellent choice because they have professors who have the expertise and wisdom to guide learners from the online environment to the real-world,” said Da Graca. “Capella is truly cutting edge and I believe many more learners will gravitate towards this online style of learning in the future.”
