Student Spotlight: Aurelia V. – Project Dragonfly
Suppose you’re considering pursuing a graduate degree or returning to school to finish an undergraduate degree. In that case, chances are that you work full time, you’re a caregiver, or you may have many other responsibilities competing for your time. Have you considered the flexibility of an online degree that fits your busy schedule? Learn from one grad student’s experience about how an online graduate program has made it easier for her to pursue her passions in global research and conservation.
Meet Aurelia
Miami Online recently spoke with Aurelia V., a disabled graduate student of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a Global Field Program student in the Project Dragonfly program and will graduate in the Summer of 2025. She began her journey with Project Dragonfly in 2022. Aurelia is a Teaching Assistant for Biology in the Age of Technology, one of several online Project Dragonfly courses. In addition to her graduate studies with Miami University, Aurelia is pursuing a Ph.D., at the University of New Mexico, studying the Ecological and Evolutionary Applications of Modeling Neurodiversity in Social Arthropods.
Why enroll in an online program such as Project Dragonfly?
Aurelia learned about Project Dragonfly from a peer while she was an undergraduate at the University of Colorado, Denver. Her colleague told her about Miami’s online graduate programs and partnership with the Denver Zoo. With the coursework entirely online, Project Dragonfly gave Aurelia the flexibility she needed to earn a master’s degree. She had just accepted a teaching job in New Mexico; moving to Oxford, Ohio, would’ve been impossible. She could take her online courses as her schedule permitted and complete the in-person Earth Expedition trips during her summers. Aurelia shared, “[Project Dragonfly] has been extremely valuable — I love the [Global Field] program so much. It’s been an important source of growth.”
For an adult student, what are some advantages of being in an online program?
Aurelia V (AV): “I think [online] makes [getting a graduate degree] easier in a lot of ways.”
Aurelia mentioned the following positive experiences of being an online student:
- You can do the work more within the capacity of your schedule.
- The work is more independent.
- You don’t have to worry about physically getting to class.
- This program is designed for people already in a teaching career, working full-time, and managing busy lives.
- [I feel] a sense of great accomplishment when a project is complete.
What are some of the challenges in an online graduate program?
AV: “You have to be self motivated and manage your time well to keep up. And that’s not always easy.” You have to be adaptable as an online student and when you’re juggling priorities. Priorities can shift; different projects come up…”
Some additional thoughts for consideration:
- Even though it’s online, you have to keep up with all the discussion posts, assignments, and occasionally check in.
- Online interactions may seem less personal.
- Be aware that you can misread tone and others’ body language.
- Awareness and excellent communication skills will help overcome frustrations.
- Like traditional graduate studies, you’re designing projects and implementing them.
- There are a lot of essays and research that fuel these projects.
AV: “The other factor for me is that I have disabilities; I have physical limitations, and sometimes neuro-behavioral stuff can pose a challenge. Navigating that as a graduate student can be difficult. I require a lot of support from my academic community to be able to accomplish what I want to accomplish. It can be hard for me, so I need people to understand my situation.”
How has Miami University supported you with accommodations to help you succeed with Project Dragonfly?
AV: “I’ve been very supported at Miami. The accommodations program through Miami is great. Most people I’ve encountered in Project Dragonfly have been super understanding. The Earth Expeditions are big trips, and sometimes there are things I’m limited by, can’t quite accomplish, or need to go a little bit slower than everybody else. Usually, people are very understanding. And I think that is a benefit, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily a benefit of all online programs. I think Project Dragonfly is more supportive of that flexibility in many ways. I appreciate the people who run that program.”
Photo at right: A moment from Aurelia’s Earth Expedition in Australia, summer 2024.
All Miami Online students with disabilities may access Student Disability Services for support. The staff will work with students to tailor accommodations to their needs.
How are you interacting with your peers, professors, and the people you’re doing research with online?
Online meetings — There are typically a few Zoom calls throughout the course.
- Attendance isn’t required; meetings are recorded.
- You can watch the recordings if you can’t make it.
Discussion posts — This is the primary way to interact with peers and faculty.
- Discussion post interaction is part of the grading structure.
- You’re required to respond to at least three of your peers and then respond to all of your responses, which encourages dialogue.
- You get helpful peer feedback instead of the instructor solely evaluating your work.
Faculty office hours — Utilize this resource! Most are willing to schedule a different meeting time if the posted times don’t work for you.
Peer groups — Some courses assign you to a peer group to help you feel more connected to others in the program.
How do you handle distractions while you’re trying to work or study?
AV: “I get distracted. I have an easier time writing papers and that kind of course setup where the work is more independent. I get distracted over Zoom calls. It can be really hard for me to sit, pay attention, and focus.”
Tips to help with focus and avoid distractions
How to best eliminate distractions will vary from individual to individual and may depend on the day.
- Set aside study time in a quiet environment.
- Avoid being in the same space with people having conversations or doing other tasks.
- At home, do your coursework in a dedicated but comfortable space.
- Keep a detailed Google calendar or another digital calendar.
- Add all of your meetings — required virtual, meetings with peers, and time with your instructors.
- Add assignment due dates.
- Create a separation between your job (if applicable), online coursework, and your life/family; i.e., leave your computer in that space.
- Don’t check emails outside designated times; set “active” and “do not disturb” focus hours.
- If at home, block off “focus time” on your calendar to help your mindset — this is time to work on your studies.
- Listen to music if it’s helpful to you.
Concluding thoughts about online graduate studies
Would you like to share anything else about being an online student or your experience with Project Dragonfly?
AV: “Gaining resources and skills from Project Dragonfly graduate classes has been super important. We focus on education, conservation, and connecting with community members. I work in an arthropod research and conservation lab for my Ph.D. Even though my dissertation research differs greatly from what I’ve done with Project Dragonfly, I still use those skills. I advance outreach in connections with our community — that’s been valuable and fulfilling. As a scientist, having academic skills and outreach skills are essential. Miami offers added value because not every graduate program emphasizes community outreach and education skills.”
Having the [online] option and the opportunity is incredibly important for people, especially at the graduate level, because it’s the era where you’re also doing other things — you are usually employed in some capacity and trying to advance your education so that you can do more. I think it is helpful for so many people to further their education in a way that works with their current circumstances.
Aurelia V.
About Project Dragonfly
Journey with faculty and peers committed to education and conservation as you earn your M.A. or M.A.T. Enjoy the ease of completing coursework online and the opportunity for experiential learning in the U.S. or abroad. Choose from three programs that can be completed in as little as 2.5 years. Project Dragonfly is an accredited online master’s program.
About Miami Online
No matter where you are in your educational journey, Miami Online has a solution that fits your life and goals. Experience Miami-quality instruction and access to the same support and resources that on-campus students receive.
Explore dozens of short-term programs – Microcredentials, certificates, and professional education — as well as full undergraduate and graduate degrees. Miami Online serves students at all stages of education and life, including working adults who need new skills for career advancement, those who want to pursue or complete their first college degree, college graduates whose lives are too demanding for on-campus graduate school, or lifelong learners. Miami Online offers a world-renowned education on your terms.
Email your questions to MiamiOnline@MiamiOH.edu.
Miami Online gratefully acknowledges Aurelia V. for sharing about her online experience.