As a working parent, Lynette Hoke needed a graduate program that was committed to supporting non-traditional students. Hoke found the online master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at WVU to have the flexibility she needed. Hoke found the genuine interest of her instructors to be invaluable.
Reflecting on her experience, she says, "The memory I’ll take away from going through the online IMC program is the way the program is designed really tries to help non-traditional students be successful." Hoke adds, "Most of the professors really seemed willing to work with you and where you were at with your knowledge base, and, most importantly, they all had a genuine interest in helping you learn and grow."
Be it a working parent, deployed military member, or someone really just facing a high operational tempo with their job and trying to juggle it all — it seemed like the people really had a genuine interest in your success. Lynette Hoke
For incoming students, especially those with military backgrounds, Hoke offers this advice: "Learning at a civilian institution is different than what you encounter during most of your military schools. However, the discipline and adaptability that you learned during your time in the military will serve you well. Also, if your life and learning style only really has room for one class at a time, that's okay – you'll still get to the finish line either way."
Hoke chose WVU's IMC program based on positive reviews from other military members on LinkedIn. "Word-of-mouth is the best advertising," she says. "Knowing that WVU was military-friendly and that other military members attested to the course gave me confidence that I should take the same leap and try it out."
Hoke's favorite course was Digital Storytelling. "The professor was fun," she says, "and it really forced you to get out there and use things that were unknown (to me) to help enhance a campaign or communications plan." She adds, "The online landscape changes so quickly, it was a good class to remind me to try to stay on top of things coming out that may add a dynamic element to communication efforts."
Hoke is a Fall 2024 graduate of WVU’s Integrated Marketing Communications online master’s degree program, as part of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Cohort. She is from Minnesota and is currently a Senior Public Affairs specialist.
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