Student travels 3,500 km for graduation

Convocation is a powerful attractant, bringing students back to campus to celebrate their accomplishments with peers and family. The trip to campus is a bit different for Michelle Johnson-Greaux, who travelled the 3,580 km from her home on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean Sea to receive her Bachelor of Commerce degree (BComm) from Nipissing.The trip also marks Johnson-Greaux’s very first visit to the North Bay campus, as she earned her BComm entirely online via distance education. The program is open to students around the world, as long as they have an internet connection.
Johnson-Greaux first heard of Nipissing and the BComm distance program through the Institute of Canadian Bankers, who recommended it to her. She began her studies in 2003, taking courses when she could. She officially completed the degree in December 2014. On Thursday, June 11, during the afternoon ceremony, her name will be called and she will walk across the stage, shake hands with Nipissing’s president, and receive her degree.
“I loved the program,” enthused Johnson-Greaux. “I felt like I was in the classroom. I had teacher and administrative support within 24 hours, and could always just pick up the phone and call someone for help. It was really perfect for my needs as it allowed me to study while continuing to work in banking. The course work was always current and the technology was always excellent.”
Johnson-Greaux, most recently was working in St. Kitts as a Fraud and Compliance Officer in the Caribbean Credit Card Corporation Ltd. Prior to that position, she worked for 15 years at the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd.
“I hope my story can help build more relationships for Nipissing University so that more students can have the same experiences that I did as a distance student,” said Johnson-Greaux.
Nipissing offers a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Bachelor of Business Administration through online delivery open to students around the world with an Internet connection.  There are currently 201 students enrolled in these distance learning programs.  Over the last three years the programs have attracted students from Ireland, China, France, Bangladesh, Scotland and the United States, as well as St. Kitts.