Kaycee Hudspeth Velazquez had dreamt for many years of obtaining her undergraduate degree and advancing to get a Master's in Library Science. “With three children and a part time job of my own it seemed like it would forever be only a dream," remarked Kaycee. Kaycee works at a public library as well as taking care of her two school aged children, which is a full time job in itself. "After discovering eCore, which saves me gas (or more importantly money) and time spent commuting to and from school, I felt a little hopeful for the first time in years that I might be able to embark on achieving my dream.”

Kaycee initially began the eCore classes feeling extremely intimidated and overwhelmed. “After all,” said Kaycee, “it has been 17 years since I have been in college so this all seemed pretty new to me.” But Kaycee’s worries and fears were soon assuaged thanks to the assistance and support she got from the staff at UWG. “I never felt alone,” she said, “or wondered what the next step would be. Any questions I asked were answered, or I was directed to the person who could answer them. I was reassured all along the way and, to this day, receive such great emails reminding me of tutoring help and all the resources available to me as a non-traditional eCore student. I may not be onsite, but UWG has welcomed me and embraced me as a UWG student and part of the UWG family. Following their direction and advice and taking things one step at a time, I am starting to feel like an old pro.”

Kaycee is currently taking her first two eCore classes. “Make no mistake;” asserted Kaycee, “it is a lot of work. This is not some canned, generic education that you can just breeze through. These classes are no easier than onsite classes. However, I can post my discussions and assignments in my ‘jammies’ after putting my children to bed, which might draw more than a few stares in person. Being able to ‘have class’ or take my quizzes at 11pm and post my discussions even later is the only way I have been able to set my dream into motion. I must also admit that I was nervous and shy about going to class as an ‘old 37 year old mom’. (According to my children a lot has changed in schools since dinosaurs roamed the earth.)”

Starting school through eCore gives Kaycee “the added luxury of being a little bit anonymous.” Kaycee admitted, “I don't feel like the "oldest" person in the room who also happens to know the least about being a college student. I am building my confidence daily and becoming [surer] of my abilities which will make it a lot easier to walk into that classroom setting the first time upon completion of eCore. I am just so grateful for this program. I finally feel myself moving forward in life... Thanks UWG and eCore!”

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