Planet eCore: Dustin Outler - Overcoming Obstacles



I received an e-mail message yesterday from eCore that I was one of their students that is “shining brightly”. They informed me that they would like for me to share my story. It is an honor to be identified as succeeding after a long dry spot. I am currently 28 years old. My mother says I am her brightest child, but also her late bloomer. She will be pleased to hear of this recognition.
I am now a bloomer with the help of the eCore program, administration, and understanding professors.

I graduated from high school with high honors after losing the remainder of my hearing. My sister and I were both born legally deaf. Nothing has ever been easy for us. During my senior year of high school, I began to experience severe depression and was diagnosed with clinical depression. Intervention was in place. I received support through medical doctors, therapists, and my family.  I attended a large university, well actually two large universities, with full scholarships before being admitted to eCore. The problem was I was not ready for the large university, and they were not ready for me. The transition from home to the adult world of college was difficult with my now two disabilities, deafness and depression. I did okay for a few weeks and then things started to spiral down.

After packing up and closing the doors on these university experiences and continuing with therapy and medicine, I found eCore and it has truly been a blessing for my family and me. I am able to pursue my degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Cyber Crime fully online and on my schedule. I am nearing the end of my core program at eCore ,and I almost have my Associates Degree from Valdosta University. I am looking into the online program for my BA. The eCore experience has been challenging and has renewed my confidence in myself. I am thankful for my professors and eCore.

1. What is your occupation?   None

2. What is your college major?   Criminal Justice

3. Why eCore?   Online and flexible hours.

4. Who is the biggest inspiration for your education?   My sister. She is also deaf and has just graduated with her MED in Education

5. What is something cool you've learned this semester in eCore?   POLS has been fun. I have learned so much. We actually did collaboration work and created a Mock Election with a “made up” candidate. Government is very interesting and Professor Roger Marietta is very active in discussions. He called me one night about 10 and asked if I was a procrastinator. He wanted me to take the 1st attempt on his test so he could grade it and go to bed. It still blows me away that he cared enough to call.

Chem has been fun too. Professor Douglas Stuart has been great. The cabbage
juice experiment was a mess. My mother said that her kitchen would never be the same.

6. What three words would you use to describe one of your online instructors?   Understanding, caring, interactive

7. Where is your favorite place to visit in the USA?   Tybee Island’s beaches

8. What kind of mood are you in right now, and why?   Sleepy and tired and sore. I have a kidney stone and a gallbladder stone.

9. Your favorite study spot?   My front porch

10. What is something your online classmates don't know about you?   I’m profoundly deaf. I have a cochlear implant

11. Plans beyond eCore? eMajor, etc...?   Maybe eMajor…..Cyber Crime/Criminal Justice

12. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? (your town, family, goals, any "shout-outs" to anyone?)   My sister, Brittany, was recently married. I am attaching a picture of me with her at her reception.  She is my inspiration.