Opening More Horizons: Meet Mickey Eichenhofer
Mickey Eichenhofer, a cohort facilitator in the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) program at Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE), shares an inspiring quote with all of her students, attributed to author Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Now teaching her seventh cohort, Mickey recognizes the challenges her students face as adult learners. Yet, getting them across the finish line is always her goal, often motivating them with the success of others who have entered her classroom.
“Students of mine have become elementary or special education teachers, preschool supervisors, family therapists, an Easter Seals director, and Resource Specialists for Offices of Education,” Mickey says. “Seeing the growth from the first day they enter the class to graduation makes me feel like a proud mother sending off her children into the world. I have seen students through marriages, babies, and family crises. I see how they become stronger, secure people and become ready to take on the world.”
A key to Mickey’s success as an instructor comes from her own educational experience: she graduated from CCE.
“Having been in a cohort at CCE, I knew what these students would receive: support from their instructors and fellow students,” she explains. “I also was working full time when I started and it was not an easy road. It was nice to have someone cheering you on and not letting you give up. I am proud to be a graduate student of Sac State. When I became an instructor and cohort facilitator, I knew I could share my experiences and support my students in a more meaningful way. I could share my experiences, my ups and downs. For me, it’s a joy to be there for them.”
The CHAD program is based on a collaborative online community model with classes taught by the most experienced faculty and synchronous web-based seminars.
The cohort facilitator collaborates with the Child and Adolescent Development instructional faculty on campus to ensure full academic support for students in the distance-education degree program.
Students take 2-3 courses a semester for eight (8) semesters including fall, spring and summer, finishing in three years.
“It has always been a problem having to work while going to school, so night classes fulfill an important need for these students,” says Mickey. “Most have families with children which makes it hard to do, but support from other students and instructors will greatly help them.”
Looking back on her own experience as a student at CCE, Mickey is quick to credit her program advisor, Nicole Baptista.
“Nicole kept me on track to make sure I had the right classes moving forward,” says Mickey. “My instructors encouraged me to get a Master’s Degree. This opened more horizons for me to move ahead. Sometimes you just need a helping hand, someone to reach out to you and say you can do this!”
For more information about this program, visit the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) program website.