Rob Giumarra, a junior online broadcasting major and an accomplished actor, enrolled in Oswego because he was impressed with the college and its people when his son decided to become a Laker. Campus Update caught up with him when he visited Melissa Semione, an academic planning coordinator for the Division of Extended Learning, one of the people who convinced him to pursue his degree through Oswego. Giumarra is one of many Oswego students we celebrate in advance of National Distance Learning Week, Nov. 4 to 8, and National Nontraditional Students Week, Nov. 5 to 9.

Why did you decide to enroll in Oswego's online broadcasting program?

Well, it all started with my son, who enrolled as a freshman for the fall semester. I had been in search, for quite awhile, for an online degree program that could fit my needs and flexibility as a single father raising three boys. 

And when I discovered Oswego's program, and it was tailored to specifically meet the needs of what I was looking to finish my degree in, which was broadcasting and media studies. It was absolutely a game changer for me. Everything it offers, the support of the alumni program, I mean, everything all added together was just the perfect recipe for me to come here. So it's been an absolute wonderful experience.

Can you tell us about your acting experience?

You know, I've worked with some really great stuff, a lot of network television episodes from "Deception" to "The Blacklist" to my first feature film, which was "Creed." I have some upcoming appearances on "MacGyver" and "God Friended Me," both on CBS, so.

What do you want to get out of your Oswego degree?

The vision of being able to tell stories either on a documentary level, to help produce, as an executive producer, a producer and as a writer, to tell interesting stories about you know, the human struggle.

What would you say to somebody interested in studying online through Oswego?

I would say it's never too late. The online degree program and the many programs that they have online through Extended Learning, allow for anybody to get their degree, and not just get any degree, but get a degree that will translate well into the marketplace.