While working toward an associate degree, Kaitlin Johnson wasn’t planning to continue to a bachelor’s program.
“I had started the associate degree in 2015, then took a four-year hiatus with having kids,” she said. “A co-worker encouraged me to at least finish what I started, so I started back up my associate degree.
“My husband, Eric, and a few of my co-workers encouraged me to keep going and get a bachelor’s once I completed the associate degree. That’s when I started looking into online options.”
Johnson enrolled in Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design program in August 2025. She graduated with an associate degree in business and a certificate in business analytics from the College of Western Idaho, then transferred.
“The transfer process was great,” she said. “I decided which programs I was interested in, then I followed up with a student success coach, then an advisor.
“My advisor, Joshua Taufalele, was able to look over my transcript once I was admitted as a future student and tell me what would be my best course of action and which classes I should be taking. It was pretty seamless.”
Johnson is a wealth management associate at Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), where she has worked for more than 13 years.
“ICCU also has tuition reimbursement options, which is a great program,” she said. “They’re very flexible. My job is pretty much banker’s hours, so I have evenings and weekends.
“But yesterday I had an appointment with my advisor at 2 p.m. There was absolutely no problem with me stepping away and doing a quick Zoom, letting everyone know I’ll be back in half an hour.”
Successful transition
Johnson, who grew up in Meridian, Idaho, followed in her father’s footsteps in the banking industry.
“When I got out of high school, I tried college,” she said. “It wasn’t a good fit at the time. I needed a job, so he suggested I look into being a teller. I have been in banking for 15 years. ICCU is a great place to work.
“I have moved up with different promotions and positions throughout the years, but I have got to a place where I am very interested in information technology, but I need to have a degree to continue on the path I want to go.”
Johnson learned about Boise State’s online degree programs while wrapping up the associate degree.
“As part of the capstone class, they require you to do some research about local colleges in Idaho for bachelor’s degree programs,” she said. “So, I was kind of already familiar with Boise State’s online program. Then, somebody from Boise State did a Zoom with ICCU to talk about the online program.”
The online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design jumped out to Johnson because she has multiple interests, including information technology.
“When I saw that the digital innovation and design program is built around certificates, I thought that would be perfect for me,” she said. “It allows me to pursue a lot of different interests while still getting a four-year degree. I chose AI, Cybersecurity and UX Design. I have enjoyed that. These are all classes I am genuinely interested in, not just degree requirements. That’s really cool.”
The flexibility of the online format is beneficial to Johnson because she and her husband have three daughters — Quinn (13), Kennedy (6) and Parker (3).
“I have been very impressed with the online format and the 7-week classes,” she said. “I was a little nervous about that, but after completing my first 7-week course, it’s really clear that these are regular classes that they didn’t just cram into seven weeks.
“The courses are planned and executed specifically for that time frame. I have been able to manage it well. I really like it.”
So far, Johnson has especially enjoyed the artificial intelligence courses, including AI Literacy, which she took during her first semester.
“I am now in the Applications of AI class,” she said. “Everything I am learning, I am applying every single day at work. It’s helped me a lot. I have been able to teach my co-workers how to be more efficient with Co-Pilot. Every day it’s applicable.”
Off and running
Johnson believes that having a strong support system in place will be the biggest key to her success in the online bachelor’s degree program.
“My family and friends have been really supportive,” she said. “My husband is the most supportive. He takes care of the kids so I can get my homework done and turned in on time. Without that kind of support, there’s no way I could do this.
“With three kids, work and school, it is a lot, and we are in the thick of it, but we also know it’s going to pay off — short-term stress for long-term success. I hope to finish in Spring 2027. I am taking two classes at a time.”
Once she graduates, Johnson plans to work toward becoming an IT project manager or IT product line manager. She believes the bachelor’s degree will help open doors for her to reach her goals.
“I have been talking to hiring managers, letting them know what I am working on,” she said. “They haven’t really heard of a degree that’s innovative like this one with the certificates. They are impressed. They think it’s going to set me up for success.”
Although she is in the early stages of the online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation and Design program, Johnson is confident she made the right decision to further her higher education.
“The professors at Boise State have your best interest in mind,” she said. “I have been very impressed with the professors and them recognizing that a lot of non-traditional students are in these classes. They are very flexible and understand you are juggling a lot of things outside of their class.
“I have already experienced that in my first semester. They are willing to support you however they can. A lot of people don’t expect that from a large university. I have been impressed with the professors, how supportive they are and the feedback they give you as a student.”
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.