For Misty Maruska, earning Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Social Work is about turning something painful into something positive.
“My adult daughter is a survivor of sexual abuse,” she said. “Through that process, her resiliency was inspiring. It completely changed the direction of my life. Returning to school became part of my own healing journey and gave purpose to experiences that once felt impossible to make sense of.
“I also became medically disabled at the time I started to look into going back to school. Instead of sitting at home and giving up on everything and living in the past and how it hurt me, I decided I needed to take everything we had gone through and get the education so that I could give meaning to what happened and move forward.”
Maruska, who works for her family-owned business, Parrots and Stuff, is on track to graduate in May 2027.
“In my late 20s, I was intrigued with mind, body, soul and started my associate degree without a clear path,” she said. “Then, I became pregnant with my second daughter and took a long break. When I decided to go back, some life events happened in between when I started my associate degree and when I came to Boise State.”
Once Maruska made the decision to return to college, she knew that Boise State University was where she wanted to be.
“Because I am from Boise, it’s somewhere I could trust,” she said. “There are so many program options online, but I wanted to go to a place that holds a good reputation for what they produce.”
So far, the flexibility of the online format is working out well for Maruska as she works full-time while earning a degree.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “Most of the instructors open it up in a way where it’s a challenge at first, but you still get that interaction. That’s what is important for me.
“It’s not just staring at a blank screen. You are actually getting to know people and getting to work through it with other teammates, classmates and your instructor. Your classmates are from all over, which is also amazing.”
Home, sweet home
Maruska initially worked toward an associate degree at the College of Western Idaho between 2013 and 2016 after dropping out of high school and earning a GED.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned through social work, through my own counseling and within the Boise State program is how trauma, generational patterns, relationship dynamics and societal influences shape people’s lives,” she said. “Before becoming a student at Boise State, I had already started to understand how those things can shape a person’s life.
“That growing understanding is a big part of what led me to social work in the first place. Since becoming a student, Boise State has taken that understanding to a much deeper level. It has taught me not only to recognize those patterns within myself, but also to help people identify their own strengths, find their own voice, and understand that healing and empowerment are possible, even after life’s most painful experiences.
After Maruska had her first daughter, she became a medical assistant, but she has always been part of the family business, too. Since enrolling at Boise State in the online Bachelor of Social Work’s pathways program in 2025, she is thriving in the supportive learning environment with a focus on justice and ethics.
“I was a lost and wandering soul but have always been drawn to helping people,” she said. “I just hadn’t found my purpose or understood where I truly belonged. Looking back, each of those experiences was preparing me for social work. My education at Boise State helped connect those pieces and gave me the confidence to pursue the path I know I’m meant to be on.”
Maruska hasn’t had a favorite course in the program, but she is thoroughly enjoying the faculty members.
“They didn’t just make online classes engaging, they challenged the way I think, encouraged me to look beyond the surface of complex issues and helped shape me into the future social worker I hope to become,” she said.
“The lessons they’ve taught me will stay with me throughout my career, and I think that’s one of the most meaningful parts of my Boise State experience. In particular, Rujeko O. Machinga-Asaolu, Stefanie Gilbert and Heather Witt have been exceptional professors.”
The pathways program, for students without a social work background, was ideal for Maruska’s situation.
“The pathways program was incredible,” she said. “It made it so easy. I mostly knew what I was getting into, but I thought I had seven years of college left; I only have a year-and-a-half, so that was a great surprise. It’s been wonderful.”
Once she graduates, Maruska knows she will have plenty of options to launch her social work career.
“I absolutely believe having this degree will open up doors for me,” she said. “The advisors have made me see that the social work aspect is so encompassing that I can do so much in the field.”
Ready to make social impact
Maruska continues to draw inspiration from her daughters as she works toward becoming the first person in her immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“They are excited for me,” she said. “There are days when I think they’re questioning my perfectionism, but they are my absolute rock. I look at my daughter’s high school diploma every time I do homework.
“I can’t wait to show my daughters my degree. It’s a big accomplishment. I want to show my girls that it’s possible, no matter what age you are.”
Maruska’s family, which includes her fiancé’s three children, remain a strong support system throughout her higher education journey.
“While my daughters are absolutely my greatest inspiration and the reason this journey began, I also couldn’t have accomplished this without the support of my fiancé, my bonus children and my family,” she said. “They’ve all been part of this journey with me.”
After she completes the bachelor’s degree, Maruska hopes to shift her focus to helping others in similar situations as her daughter.
“I have big hopes, dreams and goals,” she said. “They all center around the education awareness prevention policy gaps surrounding sexual violence. I want to go into direct practice. It’s also important to have advocacy awareness and policy reform.
“My goal is to continue into Boise State’s online accelerated Master of Social Work program. Before coming to Boise State, that didn’t feel attainable. The encouragement and support I’ve received from professors and advisors has made me believe that continuing my education is possible, and I’m excited for what comes next.
“Even being in my 40’s, with a family, and children, medical disability, and trauma of my own they have shown me nothing is impossible, and nothing is too late.”
Maruska, who is engaged, believes it’s important to go into any online degree program with the right attitude and motivation.
“Don’t go into it if you are not ready,” she said. “If you’re doing it simply because you want it as a profession, there needs to be more behind it. Also, don’t wait or be afraid to jump into it.
“I was not going to jump in. It’s my fiancé who told me, ‘Dip your toes in the water. If it’s not for you, dip back out.’ I haven’t dipped back out. Don’t wait, but make sure you’re ready.”
Now that she is within one year of graduation day, Maruska is glad she found the motivation to return to higher education.
“I have gotten more than I could have imagined,” she said. “I went into it thinking that this is the last part of my own healing journey, along with beginning a profession. I have gotten all of that and then some.
“Boise State has given me more than a degree, and through my lived experiences and the guidance of incredible professors, advisors and classmates, it has helped me discover my purpose, grow into the person and future social worker I want to become, and helped me believe that those goals are attainable.”
Learn more about the social work program
Earning an online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work 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.