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Capella University
Beth Vottero
Assistant professor of nursing at Purdue University Calumet School of Nursing
Class of 2005, doctoral degree in education
Capella University
A single mother working to support her two sons, Beth Vottero knew the road to earning her Ph.D. would require many sacrifices. But she was certainly up to the challenge. Just finding an option that fit around her busy schedule wasn’t enough; she was determined to find a quality program that would provide a demanding course of study. “I did not want a school that gave out degrees to everyone who enrolled,” said Vottero. “I wanted rigor in their program so that I could be proud to be a graduate.”
Of course, Vottero also needed an institution that understood and catered to the needs of adult learners while providing the same quality resources that traditional brick-and-mortar schools offered. For Vottero, Capella University’s online curriculum fit this mold, allowing her the opportunity to become the leader of her own educational experience with access to her coursework available from anywhere and at any time of day.
“When I started the program I didn’t know what to expect,” admitted Vottero who enrolled in Capella’s Ph.D. program in education in 2002. Despite the ample research she did before starting the degree and the confidence she had in her decision, it was still a new environment at first. However, she quickly realized that even with the lack of face-to-face interaction, she developed great relationships with her professors, especially those on her dissertation advisory committee. “They helped guide, facilitate, challenge, and frustrate me daily,” she said. “It was an incredibly amazing journey of self-discovery, persistence, and motivation.”
Throughout the program, Vottero was able to apply her education to her background in nursing, focusing her studies on how students in a nursing program learned, how to effectively instruct them, and strategies for teaching online. She was also required to complete three residencies , which she found an immensely enriching part of Capella’s program. “You met your instructors, networked with others, and they instructed us face to face on key aspects of Ph.D. learning,” said Vottero. In the final residency of the program, students even had the opportunity to work with a faculty member and their peers to discuss their dissertation proposals, receiving valuable feedback along the way. “This was incredibly helpful as a learner,” said Vottero. “I absolutely learned the most from this exercise.”
However, despite her excitement over the opportunities she found through Capella’s online program, Vottero’s educational journey had its hurdles, including working a full-time job while raising two sons — one with special needs — by herself. “Not receiving monetary support, I had to balance and juggle a lot to make it work,” she said. Still, her commitment and clear focus on her goals gave Vottero the discipline she needed to succeed in the online environment. “I think my going back to school, watching baseball practice and games while reading articles, and constantly having my ‘work’ bag with me just became a part of life,” she said. “I learned to be self-directed, to sustain my motivation when no one was kicking me to get something done.”
In addition to always being prepared to take advantage of what free time she found throughout the day, Vottero made sure to have scheduled times to login to the online classroom. “Definitely make it a habit to check the classroom daily,” she advised prospective students. “When you skip days, you become overwhelmed and can’t really focus on the content.” For Vottero, logging in regularly before going to work in the morning and then again in the evening was the schedule that worked best. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to check it frequently and don’t procrastinate,” she said.
Vottero graduated with her Ph.D. in 2005 and now is an assistant professor of nursing at Purdue University Calumet School of Nursing. She credits Capella with her success in her full-time position, as well as other professional opportunities. “The degree opened doors, allowing me to also do presentations, write book chapters, have a book accepted, conduct research, and work on a grant,” Vottero said. “I have also been asked to consult with other nursing programs and provide workshops for faculty.”
Vottero said she believes Capella’s emphasis on quality in their educational delivery and the faculty members they employ makes them one of the best online colleges. “I think Capella has core faculty that are committed to learning and teaching,” she said. “They take a lot of pride in their program and want to sincerely help students. They also make it rigorous enough that you have to have what it takes to make it through.”
Vottero’s determination and commitment to education has led both of her sons on to college as well. “Although it was difficult, I am now reaping the rewards of the work as my son just graduated from college and was commissioned into the Army,” shared Vottero. “My other son, who is deaf, is also in college for education.”
