Jackson Waweru left Kenya for the US at age 19 to attend university. In summer 2023, he completed a BS in Mathematics from IU Online.
Waweru is an experienced student. “Though I’ve attended several other American universities—Kean University in Newark, New Jersey; New Jersey’s Union College; and City University of New York—I consider myself an alumnus of IU,” he says. “IU is where I feel the deepest connection. When people achieve success, they tend to regard themselves as alums of the university that made that success possible. For me, that is IU Online.”
Waweru now lives in Texas and works full time as a digital analyst, doing medical coding for a hospital in New York City. Like many online students, he juggled several commitments while earning his degree, including full-time work, two young kids (two and five), and a busy family life. He fit classwork into open slots within his packed schedule. “I’ve always loved math. I always found time to study. And my wife is really supportive. She encourages me to go to school.”
IU Online—Best for math
“When my job in New York offered to fund a degree program,” says Waweru, “I chose math. I did a lot of research to find the right school. IU Online always appeared among the top. It was the best I could find in affordability and accessibility.” In 2018, he enrolled in the IU Online BS in Mathematics.
Lively classes
Class discussions made learning interactive, exciting. “Among my three online universities, IU Online stands out in requiring students to take part in discussion boards,” says Waweru. “When students are required to interact, classes get very enlightening. People ask questions you didn’t know you had. The more questions you hear, the more you learn yourself! My professors also took part. My classes were as close as you can get to a real classroom.”
Thanks to professors and advisors
Waweru calls math a very “inquisitive” subject, because there are lots of opportunities for questions. “My professors were generous with office hours. I never felt rushed,” he says. “At some colleges, professors don’t respond to questions for two or three days. At IU, they encouraged me to talk with them.”
His advising experience was also superior. “My advisor contacted me the first day of every semester, checked in with what classes I was taking and why,” Waweru says. “He sent regular updates on my progress toward my degree, and what I needed to stay on track to graduation. I got plenty of personal attention.”
What’s next?
The BS in Math is Waweru’s third degree. He holds an associate degree and a BS in Health Information Management. He’s in the market for a new data analyst position. Once he’s secured it, he’ll begin work on an MS in Data Science, probably with IU Online. “I’ll learn more by doing the degree while I’m working in the field,” he says. “My BS in Math opens doors. Most data analyst jobs require math or a STEM degree. My degree will help me reach my goal.”
