Edward Shanshala has managed to find the time to earn another degree, this time in Health Systems Administration through the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Distance Learning Program. Shanshala has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biotechnology from RIT, as well as a master’s degree in education from the University of Rochester. He decided to take on the second masters in a distance learning format because, he says, "the program appealed to my being a lifelong learner." Plus, "unlike traditional master’s programs, the intellectual simulation is only a logon away."

Distance learning at RIT takes advantage of the Internet and computer conferencing, along with other multimedia technologies, to deliver the classroom to the student’s computer. RIT has one of the most successful and well-established distance learning programs in the country. With over 5,000 enrollments and 20 years experience in distance education, RIT currently offers seven master’s degrees, three undergraduate degrees, three advanced graduate certificates and thirteen undergraduate certificates all completely online.

RIT’s master’s degree program in Health Systems Administration was an ideal fit for Shanshala’s job as Director of Quality Improvement for the Finger Lakes Visiting Nurse Service (FLVN), a full service Medicare and Medicaid certified home health agency located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. FLVN also provides certified hospice services to nearby residents as well as long- term home health care services.

Shanshala is only two courses away from completing his degree. "Course content has been relevant in spite of the dramatic changes in the health care market," he says. "I believe that this is indicative of a top-flight faculty who have a passion and capacity to provide the highest quality educational experience possible."

Additionally, he admits that although he has an impressive 4.0 GPA, the coursework has been challenging. "It’s very fast paced. You don’t want to not login for more than a day or so because you’ll fall behind." He adds that the amount of course-related reading he has accomplished can be measured in inches instead of pages, jokingly saying that the academic books he has read "stack up to my waist by now, which is about 36 inches of reading."

He also says that his coursework has helped him on the job, especially in the financial arena. "It’s really helped me get a good understanding of financial situations. I’ve gone from the minutia of day-to-day financial numbers and week-to-week budget processes to more of the big-picture capital budget and strategy and where-do-we-want-to-go as an organization."

In addition to the challenges of maintaining a disciplined learning continuum, Shanshala points to the colleagues he has met through online class discussions and email as being an invaluable benefit. "In distance learning there is an unwritten, unsaid agreement among fellow classmates to ensure that no one is left behind," he says. "Even though in most cases we have never met, we have developed relationships that will last a lifetime. Through distance learning I have had access to a broad range of colleagues that would otherwise not be possible. We basically know each other only by font , style and color, " he jokes, referring to the fact that he has never met any of his classmates face-to-face. "It’s a nice mix of professionals," including a cardiothorasic surgeon emeritus, and other professionals from the FDA and pharmaceutical companies.

Perhaps more important than the quality of the faculty, the beneficial exchange between colleagues, and the challenge of learning, Shanshala notes that the RIT distance learning program is "family friendly." Shanshala is married with a four-year-old son. "Through distance learning, I will have saved over 240 hours of drive time. This has allowed for increased time with my family." (He lives about 60 minutes away from RIT, and his estimate was based on taking two courses per quarter, each meeting once per week over six quarters in a traditional learning environment.)

Additionally, Shanshala believes that by governing his education entirely at home, his son has been exposed to a positive learning and studying environment. "I have observed the affect of modeled behavior on my son," he says. "I actually caught him with a book, pencil and paper sitting in the chair that I use to do my reading. Upon asking him what he was doing, he responded ‘doing my homework.’ I think that it is important for him to see that learning is a lifelong process, be it formal or informal; and that as an integral part of life’s fabric, is enjoyable."

Ó Copyright 2001. Rochester Institute of Technology. All Rights Reserved.