Going for ItŮٱƵNo Matter What
Alphur "Slim" Willock '19, '23 knows that dedication in the face of obstacles is what it takes to get ahead. After the death of his wife, he took on the responsibility of caring for his six children while working full-time. Slim was able to fit not one, but two, online degree programs into his lifeŮٱƵa BS in Information Systems and now an MS in Information Technology.
There is no doubt that every parent is a superhero. However, it takes a different kind of super skill to accomplish juggling a full-time job, a large family, and full-time education. Alphur ŮٱƵSlimŮٱƵ Willock ŮٱƵ19, ŮٱƵ23, is clearly up to the challenge.
SlimŮٱƵs worked at Verizon for nearly thirty years and is a proud father of three sons and three daughters, raising them himself after their mom passed away during childbirth. Both full-time jobs. Many people in his position would be intimidated to invest so muchŮٱƵboth time and moneyŮٱƵinto their education when they already have so much on their plate, but not Slim. Slim was able to make his superhero lifestyle and desire to pursue higher education work for him.
Although his determined attitude would fool you, he admits that being a working parent and a student is anything but easy: ŮٱƵAs a father that has kids and is working full-time, PaceŮٱƵs online degree programs really worked into my schedule.ŮٱƵ Slim tried in-classroom learning, but the logistics of making it to a classroom was a real challenge. ŮٱƵI would be leaving from work and driving to Manhattan to look for parking just to make it to my six oŮٱƵ clock class,ŮٱƵ he says. It just wasnŮٱƵt working as well as it couldŮٱƵve been. So, he went virtualŮٱƵcompleting his BS in Information Systems online through PaceŮٱƵs Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
After taking the dive into online learning, he realized that online learning is not so very different from going back to school in-person. He was able to make connections with his peers and his professors, and also discovered that online learning made it easier for him to balance his commitments.
ŮٱƵThere were a lot of different stressors that were added on to the fact that IŮٱƵm working full-time, and I still have to go home and cook dinner. Online school helped tremendously for me,ŮٱƵ he says. ŮٱƵI could concentrate on my family and at the same time I could still concentrate on my schoolwork.ŮٱƵ
One thing thatŮٱƵs important to Slim is to make sure that others understand that an online degree program isnŮٱƵt any different in terms of value compared to an in-person program. ItŮٱƵs the same curriculum, the same professors, and the same work required to earn the degree. ŮٱƵOnline school scared me because I thought it wasnŮٱƵt the same degree, and you get a certificate that says ŮٱƵonline,ŮٱƵŮٱƵ he laughs. ŮٱƵBut that isnŮٱƵt true! People hear so many different things about online school and it scares them.ŮٱƵ
By the time the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, Slim was already an old pro at virtual living and learning. So, it made sense for him to return to the virtual classroom to tackle his next big challenge: a masterŮٱƵs degree. And so far, so good. HeŮٱƵs made a lot of great connections in the classroom, is building relationships with faculty, and making friends.
ŮٱƵSome of my classmates are my best friendsŮٱƵI havenŮٱƵt ŮٱƵmetŮٱƵ them yet, but weŮٱƵre really good friends," he says.
SlimŮٱƵs persistence and tenacity is not only inspired by his own children, but by the former Verizon chairman and CEO Ivan G. Seidenberg ŮٱƵ81, for whom the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is named. Slim explains that Seidenberg is ŮٱƵan inspiration who set the blueprint for a role model by donating to create a program at the school he graduated from.ŮٱƵ
Slim serves as an inspiration to his friends and family (and ! Yes, that Oprah), often encouraging others to follow the same path. In talking about his experience, he laughs and says ŮٱƵA lot of people, after I told them I got my degree, would say ŮٱƵSlim, if you can do it, with your situation and with kids, I should have no excuses!ŮٱƵŮٱƵ