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Office of Distance Learning leading the way through Covid-19

Online education plays a massive part in a teacher's and student's college success. 

At GSU, the Office of Distance Learning is the gateway to technology to implement an online learning experience for teachers and students. They provide a four-point system that provides quality instruction; students and teachers can navigate courses from various locations, online access courses on campus and access electronic technology. 

Jacques Prudhomme is the Internet Systems Manager at Grambling State University. 

Hailing from Saginaw, Mich., and a GSU alumnus class of 1993, Prudhomme has been employed with the ODL staff since 2002. 

"Training faculty how to teach online as well as teaching students how to learn online is the main component of my daily job,” Prudhomme said. "Also, I provide information on how to navigate through our online learning database Canvas Instructure. If need be, I also help instructors build courses and edit new software for the department." 

2020 has been a year for the ages, and it would not seem right if it did not present challenges. Working during the COVID-19 pandemic; has forced Prudhomme and the ODL staff to adapt to work in a new way as classes have transitioned to virtual learning. 

"The biggest challenge has been that the workload has increased tenfold," Prudhomme said. "In previous years before the pandemic hit the nation," we only had a few courses online which made our job less stressful than it is today. Now all of the courses are now offered online, which has just made our transition to online learning a tedious job for our staff this semester to provide a smooth online learning environment." 

The love for the student body has kept Prudhomme going over the years and has made his job an enjoyable experience. 

"What I enjoy most about my job is the students," Prudhomme said. "Students are my passion; it's what I take pride in. I love helping students learn the needed information and just enjoying that positive experience in helping them become successful people of society after their days here at Grambling State University." 

In addition to working with the Office of Distance Learning, you can catch Prudhomme on the field or in the stands with the famous World Famed Tiger Marching Band.  

"I'm also a videographer for the band,” Prudhomme said. It's something that I genuinely enjoy doing that takes me out of the realm of the technology world." 

Outside of his time spent at GSU, relaxation is the perfect way for  Prudhomme to unwind from the daily work grind. 

"In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my kids and family "I'm a very family-oriented person and spending time with them is something that I take pride in,” Prudhomme said. “Also, I love listening to good music, all in all, as long as I'm enjoying myself, I'm not conformed to one thing I just live each day with the intent to enjoy life. Life is too short and fragile not to enjoy it."