A Global Impact: How LSU Online Helped a Military Spouse Earn Her MLIS Abroad
June 03, 2025
Photo by Karla Coreil
Halfway across the world, Jessica Wilkes lives with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel William Wilkes, in Ferrara, Italy. Wilkes moved to Ferrara with her husband and their two children in 2022 after he was assigned to NATO’s Deployable Command and Control Centre. While a few years abroad sounds like a dream to most, there’s only one problem for spouses of NATO employees - in order to maintain the economic stability for local communities, NATO has a strict policy that spouses are not able to get jobs in their host country. However, because of the flexibility of LSU School of Information Studies' Master in Library and Information Science program through LSU Online, Wilkes was able to begin a lifelong dream of graduating with her master's degree in library and information science, even while being overseas.
A few months ago, just a few months away from finishing her program, Wilkes had the unique opportunity to connect with some of the LSU Online Staff on their vacation to Italy. After realizing that they would be only 30 minutes from Ferrara while staying in Bologna, a plan was hatched to be able to meet for a day trip. Wilkes wasted no time in planning a full day of showing off her city. When the three staff members, Renee Renegar, Shannon Lane, and Tya Boyden, arrived, the four were greeted like family, complete with hugs and plenty of “Geaux Tigers”.
Photo by Shannon Lane
“This unexpected and heartfelt gesture underscored the level of care and commitment LSU Online has for its students—a community where every individual is embraced and encouraged to succeed,” states Wilkes, emphasizing the excitement she had to meet people who had been so vital to her master's degree journey thus far.
Photo by Shannon Lane
Wilkes brought them to some of the most historically rich and visually stunning places in Ferrara. They were able to get a peak at the newly restored Saint George's Basilica, which hadn’t been opened to the public since an earthquake that damaged it in 2012. The team was also shown Ferrara’s most impressive sight, Este Castle. An Iconic landmark of the town, Wilkes gave them a tour of the dungeons, moats, and other intricate parts of what makes Este Castle an impressive part of Ferrara’s culture. After filling their minds, Wilkes made sure to also fill their stomachs with some of Italy’s famous cuisine - pasta. At Trarrotia da Noem, a favorite local restaurant, the three got to try cappelletti di zucca, or pumpkin pasta. After a full day, Wilkes bid them goodbye as they took their train back to Bologna to finish their tour of Italy, but they left Wilkes refueled with the connection and passion to finish her degree strong.
Photo by Shannon Lane
“Her story is the mission of LSU Online,” states Tya Boyden, the Associate Director of Program Management & Operations. “We live to serve those who can’t get an education because of time restraints, not being able to be in person, or whatever other reason that traditional schooling is not an option.”
There are people all over the world just like Jessica Wilkes, where furthering your education to break into your dream career just isn’t possible with traditional education. This is why LSU Online and SIS Online dedicate themselves to making the programs as accessible as possible.
“The library was always a place of peace for me, where books were a pathway to adventures,” states Wilkes. “As the years went on, I gained a new respect for the library and its keepers in that I understood the library to be a place where knowledge is freely given. This is what has driven me to pursue my degree… Everyone deserves to have a place where they can find knowledge.”
Photo by Shannon Lane
“ I chose LSU Online because it offered a unique program tailored to my goal of becoming a librarian while accommodating the challenges of being an overseas student. Attending a traditional, in-person college in the U.S. was not an option for me, but LSU Online provided a highly accessible platform that reaches students across the globe. The program not only aligns perfectly with my career aspirations but also stands out for its thoughtful design and comprehensive support. ”
With her husband’s deployment ending in June, she plans to move her family back to the states in July. However, Wilkes has promised the LSU Online staff that, once she gets moved into their new home in Washington State and finishes her degree, she will personally come down to Louisiana for graduation and let them give her a tour of their hometown, the LSU Campus.
About the LSU School of Information Studies
The LSU School of Information Studies (SIS) provides a 100% online prestigious education in library & information science. It is the home of the Master of Library & Information Science, which is the only program accredited by the American Library Association in the state of Louisiana. SIS also offers a dual degree with the Department of History, an undergraduate minor, and three graduate certificate options. SIS is a member of the iSchools, a group of Information Schools dedicated to advancing the information field. SIS is part of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education.
Visit the School of Information Studies website.
About LSU Online
LSU Online & Continuing Education supports the LSU family of institutions in delivering high-quality, flexible, and affordable online programs for modern learners. Through a growing portfolio of degrees, certificates, and microcredentials, LSU Online empowers students at every stage of their journey—from working professionals to first-time college students—by providing access to innovative online learning experiences backed by expert faculty, dedicated support teams, and the strength of the LSU system.