Borja-Arriola began teaching sixth graders at Garapan Elementary School on Oct. 26 and is a recent graduate of Argosy University-Hawaii’s online courses.
Two years ago, her friend encouraged her to finish her studies.
“What prompted me really was my mentor. Her name is Leilani. She was the one who encouraged me to take this opportunity. She kept pushing me to keep going and not give up,” Borja-Arriola said.
She was in her 30s with a family and the idea of going back to college scared her.
Eventually, she chose Argosy.
“I enrolled in a business administration program to earn a bachelor’s degree which I completed. I graduated last Nov. 15 at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu,” she said.
The university, she added, emphasized inter-personal skills along with academic learning.
She learned the advantages of an online school program which also enhanced her computer skills.
She said the university’s program is ideal for those seeking advancement in psychology, counseling, education, and business
An online program means there will no expenses for daily transportation to the school as well as board and lodging.
“One of the interesting things that I enjoyed the most was whenever I got online, I was connected to my classmates from other places and from diverse backgrounds,” she said.
As a teacher, “there are times when I do integrate some of the stuff that I learned at the university and incorporate then to my teaching like values and principles, and good ethics. I try to be the best teacher I can be. I want my students to be infused with so much energy and creativity as well,” she said.
What keeps her motivated are her family and friends.
“I thank them for their undying support,” she said.
She already finished college but she continues to set goals.
“The plans I have in mind now include building my house, maybe in a year or two. Simultaneously I’m going to be working on launching my own business,” she said.
She is now pursuing a master’s degree in management.
She has this advice for the people of the CNMI:
“Don’t give up school. If you are a failure continue on because you will end up succeeding. We all have flaws but we can correct them.”
For more information about Argosy’s online programs, e-mail Maryann Borja-Arriola at [email protected] or call 256-1459.
