Distance Learning Grad Completed Assignments Under Enemy Fire in Iraq

At one time, while he was completing his master’s degree in the University of Cincinnati’s educational leadership program, Jimmy Hernandez says he was bound and determined to send in his UC assignment. Even though his unit was under a mortar attack in Iraq and he was under a desk for protection, he says he was on UC’s Blackboard portal for online learning – typing out the last of his report. His determination as a distance learner will bring him to Cincinnati for the first time when he celebrates the completion of his master’s degree at

UC’s Doctoral Hooding and Master’s Recognition Ceremony at 10 a.m., Friday, June 10, in Fifth Third Arena

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Hernandez completed his master of education degree from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) last summer, but because of his service overseas, was not able to attend December’s graduation ceremony. He entered the UC distance learning program in 2005, but encountered several stops and starts on his educational journey, as his service with the Air Force took him around the world.

“I remember that in 2005, he was deployed to Germany in the middle of taking a course,” says Ann Millacci, field service associate professor and director of the educational leadership distance learning program. “His determination to finish his degree, despite the challenges of doing this while on active duty, is truly admirable,” says Millacci.

“Dr. Millacci and her staff have been superbly supportive of my situation,” says Hernandez, who is now back in the U.S. and stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base. “I would have to say that they all stand out in my book, and I would like to personally thank all of them for their support and help.”

UC’s Educational Leadership Program “prepares excellent leaders for excellent schools,” as is stated on the CECH website. The college reports that hundreds of graduates of the program currently serve in the Cincinnati USA region and beyond. The program provides graduate study, research and field experiences for educators and offers a variety of degree and licensure programs as part of its mission.

UC’s growth in students enrolled in distance learning programs has rocketed from 213 at the start of this decade to 3,566, when final enrollment figures were reported for autumn 2010. The 34-year-old Hernandez falls just below the average age of UC’s distance learners, which is 35. The UC Student Fact Book for Autumn 2010 also indicated there were 17 distance learners serving in the armed forces in Europe as well as two of them serving in the armed forces in the Pacific. Hernandez’s degree-granting college – the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) reported the highest number of distance learners last fall – 1,799.

“Distance learning allowed me to work at odd times of the day and week,” says Hernandez, who, as he was earning his degree, served in Kunsan, South Korea; Aviano, Italy; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Baghdad, Iraq. “Distance learning allowed me to multitask and also helped me to develop time-management skills.”

Hernandez says he was drawn to the program because he is always looking to better himself. He says that although he was a world away from UC, he was able to “talk” and share experiences with his fellow cohort of students through online forums. “I thoroughly appreciated the opportunity of serving with a mentor principal during our final project,” says Hernandez. “I truly learned a lot from that experience.”

He credits his experience in the military with providing him with the discipline to follow through, accept responsibility and be a leader.

“I think I will feel ecstatic once I turn the page on this wonderful school experience,” says Hernandez, as he looks ahead to UC’s Doctoral Hooding and Master’s Recognition Ceremony. He’ll be traveling to Cincinnati with his proud mother, sister and his two sons, 7-year-old Antonio Hernandez and 5-year-old Gabriel Hernandez.

“The road was long and hard, but I’m happy to set the example for my soldiers and sons to see,” he says, as he reflects on the upcoming celebration. “I never want to stop learning, and that’s what supported me through the journey of completing my degree in educational leadership.”

For the second year in a row, the University of Cincinnati was highlighted among 15 percent of the nation’s higher educational institutions for embracing the nation’s veterans as students, as G.I. Jobs released its 2011 list of military friendly schools.

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