Liberian Native Wins Rowan College At Burlington County's Distance Learning Scholarship

12/23/2016

George N. Togba Jr., 28, of Burlington City, sees Rowan College at Burlington County’s online classes as an essential part of his success.

He is the winner of Rowan College at Burlington College’s Distance Learning scholarship, which the college and the RCBC Foundation, awarded in recognition of National Distance Learning Week in November, the college said this week.

“Online classes offer the flexibility that many of our students need, because they are working, have families, or other commitments that may make it difficult to attend class in-person. We were proud to present this scholarship to support a student’s success through online learning,” Rowan College at Burlington County Foundation Executive Director Anika Ragins-Riley said.

The college’s distance education department is one of the largest among all colleges in New Jersey and currently offers more than 90 different courses, and 12 associate degrees and six certificates fully-online.

The Distance Learning scholarship was open to all new and current students. Togba was selected from several qualified applicants, thanks in part to his essay that included advice to students on how to be a successful online learner. He listed effective time management as the most important aspect to online learning.

“Attending school online can be just as challenging as achieving an education through a traditional classroom. In order to be able to be successful in both work and school, I create a timetable that I stick to rigidly,” Togba said.

Other tips included a reliable internet connection, maintaining a good relationship with the professors, and study group participation.

“It is just as important to maintain a healthy relationship with your peers in an online classroom as it is in an actual classroom. Forming and joining study groups not only improves your relationship with your peers, it provides an additional learning avenue which works both ways,” Togba said.

The father of a 4-year-old daughter, Togba works at least 50 hours a week for National DCP, a supply chain management company in Westampton, and is registered for three online classes in the spring.

“Being able to obtain my education online has proven to be convenient. I am employed full-time and I am still able to attend school. I am able to make the classes work on my terms,” Togba said.

Togba, originally from Liberia, moved to the United States in 2009 for a better education and better job opportunities. He is majoring in computer management information systems and is planning to achieve his bachelor’s degree through the new 3+1 program, offered by Rowan University and Rowan College at Burlington County.

“I want to teach my daughter that she can work hard to achieve her dreams and that student loans do not have to be an option,” Togba said. “I am laying the foundation for her to follow in my footsteps. I want her to think, ‘If my dad can do it, then I can achieve it too.’”

The college’s online programs ranked top 20 in the nation for offering high quality and value without high cost and won Best of Biz from South Jersey Biz two years in a row. 

Onlinecolleges.com recently ranked Rowan College at Burlington County ahead of every four-year college in the entire state for online learning.

“More than a third of RCBC students took an online class this fall,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton said. “We have a robust award-winning distance education program that provides quality and flexibility at a great value.”

By Anthony Bellano

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