Enlightening. That’s how Sofia Sanchez-Chapman describes her experience in Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design.
“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, where she was introduced to career-readiness programs and encouraged to connect with peers. The positive experience helped her feel prepared for Boise State’s online programs and ready to thrive.
“I know a lot of people had bad experiences with online school during the pandemic, but that wasn’t my experience,” she said. “I was really ready when I made the jump to Boise State, and I definitely think that’s helped me take advantage of the different opportunities.”
Finding her fit
Now at Boise State, she’s fully embracing the flexibility and depth of the digital innovation and design program: pursuing her bachelor’s degree, earning multiple certificates and balancing life 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.”
Boise State’s online digital innovation and design degree is ideal for students like Sanchez-Chapman: creative thinkers, problem-solvers and future-focused professionals who want to shape the digital landscape. Coursework is offered in a flexible, 100% online format and equips students for careers in user experience design, digital project management, creative content creation, data analysis and more.
The program starts with the Certificate in Innovation and Design and then allows students to build a custom path by selecting three additional certificates that align with their interests and career goals. These hands-on, real-world learning experiences are the foundation of the degree, helping students develop skills in empathy, collaboration and design thinking, all while building a robust portfolio.
“When I came across Boise State’s digital innovation and design program, and I saw specific certificates and how they gave a lot of hands-on experience with the industry, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It was an amazing moment.”
Sanchez-Chapman is now earning certificates in user experience design, research and IT support, which she calls “a great backup skill.” Her favorite part of the curriculum? The projects.
“I love the hands-on projects,” she said. “Everything I write about UX design, we really did practice that within the certificate program. I always feel like the projects do really well at emulating how it’s actually going to be in the industry. I feel really prepared.”
Managing meaningful work
Completing a fully online degree 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.
She also balances coursework and her teaching assistant duties with helping on her family’s small ranch — a place that holds deep meaning. Her grandmother, who passed away after being diagnosed with ALS, had dreamed of running that ranch with her husband. Now, the whole family pitches in.
“It’s a modest ranch, but it was their passion,” she said. “It became really important to me, and to my sisters, to help out.”
Between school, work and family, Sanchez-Chapman keeps a full plate.
“I love being a TA and it’s been a really big highlight this past year,” she said. “But I also just love being a student, and then, of course, on top of all that, I love working on the ranch. I want to give everything equal amounts of attention, but sometimes, certain areas demand more than others.”
Even with so much on her plate, she’s found a strong sense of connection in the online program.
“There’s a real sense of community here, which is hard to capture online. As somebody with experience with online school, I’m really impressed with how Boise State has handled it,” she said. “I feel like I’m actually talking to a person, not just a screen.”
Prepared for the future
Sanchez-Chapman’s journey to Boise State wouldn’t have been possible without the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. 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 really loved or settling on the first job I could get my hands on,” she said. “We’re low-income, so it would have been impossible to attend school to my heart’s content without a scholarship.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to channel her passion for UX design into nonprofit work, using her skills to make a meaningful impact.
“I was always scared that I was going to get my degree and it would be surface-level stuff — then I’d go to some scary job and they’d be like, ‘Now make this prototype,’” she said, laughing. “But now I feel ready and way more prepared to tackle UX design and user research.”
When asked what she’s gained from learning online, she doesn’t hesitate.
“My big takeaway is you have to have a lot of self-discipline and organization,” she said. “I learned a lot about taking charge within my academic life, in thinking ahead for my career and also in my personal life.”
Learn more about the digital innovation and design program
Earning an online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.