Student Spotlight: Elsie Finds Balance Through MVNU Online

For many students, college follows a familiar path. Graduate high school, move to campus, attend classes on a fixed schedule. For Elsie, education looks different, and it works.

A recent high school graduate, Elsie is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in General Studies through MVNU Online while training full time as a competitive CrossFit athlete. With a demanding daily routine and long-term athletic goals, she needed an education option that could adapt to her life rather than compete with it.

“I just knew that online school would suit me better with my schedule,” Elsie explains.

Why Elsie Chose MVNU Online

Elsie’s journey with MVNU began before she officially enrolled as a college student. While homeschooled, she completed College Credit Plus courses through Mount Vernon Nazarene University during her senior year of high school. Those early experiences helped her explore academic interests and confirm that online learning was the right fit.

Having already taken online courses through MVNU, the transition felt natural.

“I was already familiar with how their classes were run, so it just felt more natural to switch over to the online classes,” she says.

Now in her fourth course, Elsie describes her experience so far as overwhelmingly positive. She emphasizes clarity, organization, and instructor support as key strengths of the program.

“For an online course, everything has been very clear and the teachers are very, very responsive,” Elsie shares. “If I ever have a question, I reach out and they usually get back to me extremely quickly, which I really appreciate.”

Balancing Athletics, Work, and Coursework

Outside of school, Elsie’s schedule is intense by design. She trains multiple hours a day as a CrossFit athlete, shadows coaches at her gym, and coaches gymnastics several days a week alongside her mom.

Her days are full, but MVNU Online’s structure allows her to fit coursework into the spaces that make sense for her life.

“With the online courses, it’s super easy to squeeze everything in,” she explains. “Besides deadlines, there really are no time constraints. You don’t have to work around a class schedule.”

She takes one course at a time in five to six week sessions, which keeps her focused without overwhelming her schedule.

“If I wake up in the morning and have time, I’ll get on there and write a discussion post or read a chapter and then I’m done for the day,” Elsie says. “It works perfectly because you’re really able to fit it in where you need to.”

Exploring Interests Through a Liberal Arts Path

Elsie chose a liberal arts associate degree to keep learning while she continues to explore future possibilities. During her College Credit Plus experience, she took courses in psychology, sociology, communications, and health and fitness to see which areas resonated most.

While she is not yet certain what her long-term academic or career path will be, she believes continuing her education matters regardless of where she ultimately lands.

“Even if I don’t keep my education going after this, I think it’s very important to keep learning,” she says. “I’ve found these classes helpful not just for school, but for real life too.”

She has already noticed growth in areas she once found challenging, especially writing.

Faculty Support That Makes the Experience Personal

One of the most meaningful parts of Elsie’s experience has been the support she feels from faculty.

She highlights Professor Rachel Neal, who taught her public speaking course, as someone who made a lasting impact. After learning about Elsie’s involvement in CrossFit, Professor Neal connected with her personally and even helped her make industry connections.

“It was really cool to have someone who understood exactly what I was talking about,” Elsie says. “I was really honored that she noticed and cared enough to reach out.”

Elsie says experiences like this make MVNU Online feel different from other online education options.

“I didn’t feel like I was alone in my learning journey,” she explains. “The teachers are very hands on, and I really appreciate the community they’ve built around it.”

Faith Integrated Into Learning

As a Nazarene university, MVNU integrates faith into its coursework, something Elsie has experienced consistently throughout her classes.

“They always tend to weave faith into discussions,” she says. “It’s definitely taught me more about God and more about how I view my relationship with God.”

For Elsie, these conversations have encouraged reflection and growth rather than feeling forced or overwhelming.

Advice for Students Considering Online Education

For students who feel unsure about starting college, especially online, Elsie offers encouragement rooted in her own experience.

“I think they should just take that step, because you never know unless you try,” she says. “The courses are really manageable, the teachers are very helpful, and the knowledge you gain is 100 percent worth it.”

Looking Ahead

Still early in her academic journey, Elsie is optimistic about what lies ahead. MVNU Online has allowed her to pursue education without putting her athletic goals on hold, proving that learning and ambition do not have to be mutually exclusive.

“My MVNU Online experience has been extremely positive,” she says. “It has helped me focus on my dreams and chase goals that I didn’t think I’d be able to chase while doing school.”