What CPL meant to them, and what CPL could mean for you . . . 
Shannon O'Connor - Liberal Studies Major
by Joseph Winner, CPL Graduate Assistant, 2005-2006
Shannon O’Connor, an online Liberal Studies undergraduate student living in New Jersey, recently successfully completed AST 305 Prior Learning Portfolio Development
How did she make her way to UIS from New Jersey? Shannon has this to say:
“When I decided to go back to school, I looked online for a state school that offered online-only programs at a reasonable cost, as well as lifetime learning credit opportunities. Private schools would have been too costly, and I don’t trust the “for-profit” schools that get so much attention. The UIS program was exactly what I needed.”
Shannon is a great example of the type of student UIS is uniquely positioned to assist.
The impact Shannon’s CPL experience had on her life gave her a clear view of her lifelong learning and how it shaped and influenced her life. Shannon states,
“I have a much better picture of my educational goals since taking the CPL course. Describing and writing about my experience made me focus on not only what I learned but also its application in my life and my career.”
Shannon also shares some thoughts with students who might be interested in taking AST 305, the Credit for Prior Learning class:
“Take a critical, objective look at the experiences you are considering for credit. Be sure they reflect college-level learning, but don’t shortchange yourself, either.”
College-level learning can be defined as a learning experience in which the material or information learned can be implemented in other venues from that in which it was learned.
Shannon concludes with the statement,
“It’s never too late to finish your degree! I’ll be thirty-eight when I graduate, but I would have been thirty-eight no matter what. I’d rather get my degree at thirty-eight than never!”
Shannon is on track to a rewarding future in which her dreams and goals are realized, and CPL is glad to have assisted her along her way.
Georg Zunner, Computer Science Major
by Frederick Murphy, CPL Graduate Assistant 2006-2007
With the growing number of students attending UIS, there has also been an increase in students outside of Illinois utilizing the Credit for Prior Learning Program. One of these students is Georg Zunner, who is originally from Germany but came to the United States in 2001.
Georg has diverse interests, including an interest in music. A passion of Georg’s is working with computers, and to help him explore that interest, he came to UIS to study for a degree in Computer
Science. Georg enrolled in the online Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science at UIS to gain a solid academic foundation and enhance his career choices. He attained his goals with hard work and perseverance and graduated in May 2007 with a B.S. in Computer Science from UIS.
In his capacity as a technical architect who travels around the world, Georg is responsible for reviewing all aspects of software implementations with a focus on reporting and analysis.
“I have gained a lot of work experience during my career and learned many things – so the CPL program perfectly met my needs,” Georg notes.
Part of going forward for Georg was looking at his past, and the Credit for Prior Learning Program helped with this process. Georg completed his CPL portfolio in the spring semester of 2006.
He confirms his credit for prior learning experience, “My primary goal has been to finish my college education. The CPL program has been invaluable in this regard. A lot of work is put into the portfolio process, but CPL offers an opportunity to earn credit for what you have already learned through work and life experience. The most rewarding part was the CPL concept itself, because you are actually getting college credit for something you’ve learned outside the classroom. The best thing for me personally was to make myself aware of what I already had accomplished. I sometimes easily forget what I have learned in the past. Comparing my knowledge from ten years ago to what I know now gives me more confidence.”
Georg stated that he hopes his successful experience with the CPL process at UIS will give encouragement to those who are considering enrolling in AST 305 Portfolio Development.
When asked what advice he would give to students who are considering enrolling in the CPL course, AST 305 Prior Learning Portfolio Development, Georg responded, “Do it! Keep in mind that it is not easy, but once you get started and you are in the flow of writing, it becomes less difficult. The fact that you write positive things about yourself and what you have learned provides a higher level of self-confidence and recognition of what you’ve done.”
Credit for Prior Learning can help you achieve your goals. It did for Georg Zunner!
