Nicole (Rust ’11, MSE ’13) O’Connor
English
Nicole (Rust ’11, MSE ’13) O’Connor’s Franciscan University experience can be summarized in one word—trust. When her experience at college in her home state of California proved disappointing, she transferred with her then-boyfriend Ian O’Connor ’11and his brother Kyle O’Connor ’10 to Franciscan University in what she describes as a “Hail Mary” play for their faith.
Once there, she says she met many professors, especially Dr. MaryAnn Sunyoger ’70, her thesis advisor, who were dedicated to their roles as educators and really ignited a passion within her regarding education.
“Franciscan was incredibly instrumental in framing what I was looking for in a job and how I would go about looking for a job.”
After graduating, moving back to California, and marrying Ian, Nicole says she felt torn between staying at home with their daughter and going back to work. The solution came in the form of an advertisement in Franciscan Way magazine announcing the master’s in K-12 online education.
