Enlightening. That’s how Sofia Sanchez-Chapman describes her experience in Boise State’s online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design program.
“It has opened my eyes to so many different paths, concepts and ideas that I don’t think I would have encountered if I had stayed on the ranch,” she said.
Born and raised in Idaho, Sanchez-Chapman grew up outside Nampa with her mother and three older sisters. Despite a strong family support system, she struggled in traditional school, facing bullying from her peers. At 12, her family moved to her grandparents’ ranch in Weiser — a change that reshaped her future.
“I was in a smaller community, and I was able to meet people I connected with more,” she said. “But the main source of that community came through school — when we moved to Weiser, I moved to online learning.”
Sanchez-Chapman completed middle and high school through Idaho Virtual Academy. Now at Boise State, she’s embracing every opportunity — pursuing her bachelor’s degree, earning multiple certificates and balancing work on her family’s ranch with her role as a teaching assistant.
“She’s playing a mentor role for these students,” said Anthony Saba, clinical assistant professor in the College of Innovation and Design. “She’s giving them an approachable alternative to the instructor and helping build that sense of community. She has such a spectacular quality of work, and she’s brought that work ethic and ethos to the teaching assistant position.”
Completing an online program in rural Idaho comes with challenges, but Sanchez-Chapman has learned to adapt. With limited internet bandwidth at home, she makes the most of resources in her hometown, often heading to the Weiser library for meetings or finding creative solutions when connectivity is an issue — like the time she joined a Zoom call from the grocery store.
Despite these barriers, she has built strong connections with her professors and peers.
“There’s a real sense of community here, which is hard to capture online. As somebody with experience with online school, I’m impressed with how Boise State has handled it,” she said. “I feel like I’m talking to a person, not just a screen.”
Sanchez-Chapman’s journey to Boise State wouldn’t have been possible without the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, she said. The need-based award provides up to $3,500 per year, renewable for four years, to Idaho high school graduates pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree at a participating college or university.
“It was the difference between pursuing what I loved or settling on the first job I could get my hands on,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sanchez-Chapman hopes to channel her passion for UX, or user experience, design into nonprofit work. UX design focuses on improving users’ interactions with websites, apps and other tech products. Sanchez-Chapman encourages students considering an online degree to embrace the journey, seek out connections and never be afraid to ask for help.
When those students are ready, Boise State will meet them where they are.
By Holly Goldgrabe