Learner Story

For more than two decades, Charles “Chuck” Allias built his career in emergency medical services (EMS). As an educator and program director, he trained the next generation of paramedics and EMTs, designing programs that met national standards, coaching students through tough exams, and finding new ways to boost their success rates. Data was always part…

Moe Obeidat knows data. Based in the Chicago area, he works as a data analyst at a Fortune 500 company, where reporting, visualization, and SQL are part of his everyday toolkit. But like many working professionals in the field, Moe was eager to take the next step: moving from analysis into advanced roles in data…

Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois has been honored with the Trailblazer Award at the September 2025 Coursera Connect conference, recognizing its bold leadership in reshaping online education. From launching the very first degree with Coursera to pioneering tools like Coursera Coach and AI avatars, Gies has consistently pushed the boundaries of…

After 36 years in the workforce, Belgium-based Laurence De Raet had already built a dynamic double career, as an employee in a university and working freelance as a psychologist, consultant, and organizational specialist. She had earned a Master’s degree in psychology, had completed specialized certification in Business Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and HR analytics & HR…

As a single mom of four, Chelsea Doman knew that going back to school would take more than ambition; it would take a program that truly suited her busy life. She’d built a career spanning pipeline operations, a decade of data analysis, launching a nonprofit for educational advocacy, and corporate analytics in the automotive industry.…

Tom Fail’s journey through higher education is deeply personal and rooted in a clear sense of purpose. With two degrees already under his belt and a successful career in Ed Tech, Tom explains why he made the decision to pursue his third degree credential.  His story explains his personal connection to higher education and how…

When Australia-based learner Ishpinder Kailey reflects on her journey—from teaching physical chemistry in India, to leading global R&D teams in Canada, and now co-founding her own advisory firm in Australia—her path tells a story of unwavering resilience, shaped by bold decisions, reinvention, and a deep commitment to education and personal growth. With a foundation in…

When New Jersey native Matthew Daiter enrolled in the University of Colorado Boulder’s online MS in Electrical Engineering program, he already had nearly a decade of real-world experience behind him. No undergraduate degree. No traditional academic trajectory. Just a “funky educational path,” a can-do attitude, and a career spent building and breaking boundaries in hardware…

When Turkish native Nejla Gul-Saglam began her journey in Computer Programming at Sakarya University, in Turkey, back in 2007, she didn’t yet know how many times her dreams would evolve—and be tested. Today, as a full-time engineering management professional, mother, and proud 2025 graduate of the Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from CU Boulder,…

Meet Joshua David Tarfa, a Nigeria-based senior product manager and recent graduate of the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business Master of Science in Management (iMSM). In just one year, he completed his degree, secured two promotions at work, and managed his own freelance design business.  We sat down with Joshua to hear about…