Arnett Phipps: Graduate and Vietnam Veteran

Arnett Phipps, a 49-year-old certified chemical dependency counselor (CCDC), says he enrolled in the University of Cincinnati distance-learning program in Addictions Studies because the bachelor's degree would make him more marketable. The Vietnam veteran from Hilliard, Ohio, is one of four students who are graduating after taking videoconferencing courses from UC at Columbus State College.

"I looked into the program, and I liked what I saw. I could work during the day and take classes in the evening."

Phipps adds that even though the professors were more than 100 miles away from his distance-learning classroom, he actually felt videoconferencing was a more personalized way to learn. "The classes aren't as big and whenever you need it, the instructors help. Besides, the way the technology is set up, if you have a question, you've got the floor."

That's because students at the colleges linked to UC's distance learning classroom could ask a question at any time, by using a microphone right there on their table. The hookup allowed the instructor, as well as students around the state, to hear the question and the answer. Furthermore, despite the long distance, the students from Columbus State will recognize the students from Lima Technical College and Central Ohio Technical College when they finally meet face to face for Commencement. The video cameras used in the distance learning program allowed them to see their instructor as well as students at UC and the outlying colleges.

Phipps says he now considers his fellow classmates at Columbus State College family, thanks to the smaller classroom. "The program just brings you together that way. Over the past two years, we've helped each other. You call each other, help each other and learn to depend on each other."

Phipps' bachelor's degree means he can apply for certification at the CCDC II level and licensure when the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services finalizes licensing procedures. This will permit Phipps to have greater responsibilities on the job. Phipps adds he's interested in pursuing a master's degree from UC to increase his responsibilities to a CCDC III, so he can diagnose and assess patients and ultimately become a licensed independent clinical dependency counselor. Counselors such as Phipps are advancing their education as the state of Ohio mandates added training and higher degrees for these professionals. students still ask for his advice years after they've earned their own doctoral degrees.

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