Johnson & Wales University Online recognizes that you invest considerable time, effort and financial resources to earn a college degree — and that you expect a return on your investment.
At JWU Online, our commitment to you begins the moment you inquire about a program and extends throughout your program. With a legacy of providing student services for more than 100 years, we know that supporting students throughout their program improves their academic performance, ability to complete the program and builds confidence that translates to successful entry into or advancement in their careers.
All of the student services available on campus are accessible to online students, including writing and quantitative support, tutoring and Experiential Education and Career Services. Providence Campus Accessibility Services also provides support for online students with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and chronic medical conditions.
Essential to success in the program are the admissions associates, financial planners, academic advisors and professors who will provide a network of ongoing support for you. Read on to hear what students say about support staff and professors at JWU Online.
Students Tell Us How JWU Online Is Different
We get to know you
“Our customer-focused admissions team responds personally to every inquiry and application,” explains Grace Pericolo, Associate Director of Enrollment Management. “You’ll have a dedicated admissions associate and student financial planner who will listen to you and strive to meet your educational and learning needs.”
Shannon Rhyne ’24, B.S. – Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management recalls, “I enjoyed a warm, welcoming reception at Johnson & Wales, from helpful advisors to thoughtful professors. Everyone at JWU — faculty, advisors, and staff — wants to see you succeed. That support meant a great deal because enrolling in a degree program is a big decision, and a monumental journey from beginning the program to graduating with the degree.”
Kathleen Campbell ’25, B.S. – Computer Science affirms, “JWU Online offered me the ability to complete my degree on a flexible schedule and provided me with all of the same resources available to on-campus students — advisors, financial help, the campus’ online library, and access to the campus facilities, if I chose to visit Rhode Island.”
There are no silos
Rasheeda Brooks-Johnson ‘24, MS – Human Resources shares, “JWU Online has been welcoming from the day I was accepted into the program. In my experience, there are no walls between admissions representatives, student advisors, financial planners and teachers.”
Pericolo qualifies, “JWU Online staff and faculty all build one-on-one relationships with students to create a supportive online community. We’re working towards a common goal, and it shows in the quality of our work.”
You’ll become a life-long member of the JWU community
“Finding JWU Online was a little bit like ‘love at first sight,’” shares Ben Huntzinger ’25, B.S. –Digital Marketing & Social Media. “From my first phone call to the school, I felt welcomed into the JWU Online community. JWU Online felt like more than just a subdivision with courses I could take remotely. Staff and faculty were excited to offer — and students were excited to be taking — the online programs. I would be a student, and eventually a proud alum, of Johnson & Wales University.”
Admissions
“The admissions team supports students throughout the whole enrollment process — so stay in contact with us,” advises Pericolo. “We’re here to cheer you on and advocate for your needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we provide guidance and support to help you succeed. Whether you’ve been out of school for a few years or decades, our team is dedicated to making your enrollment process as smooth as possible.”
Albert Torres ’25, A.S. – Business Administration says, “Applying to Johnson & Wales University has been an absolutely great experience. The smooth transition to JWU Online by the admissions representative, Alaina Wiehn, and transfer credit for my business administration courses from another institution, convinced me to enroll.”
Direka Gordon ’26, B.S. – Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship postponed her program start when days before classes began, her family experienced a traumatic event. Admissions Associate Sarah Bardsley stayed in touch with Gordon and continuously encouraged her that she would eventually be able to begin her academic journey at JWU Online.
Gordon shares, “My family’s journey to recovery was long. The trauma from the experience left me feeling that I couldn’t be a chef anymore. I didn’t believe I could complete a bachelor’s degree or pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. Sarah would call and I would tell her I needed to defer my enrollment again. When some schools call you, it feels like a sales pitch. Sarah was sweet and kind and authentic in how she cared for me. I appreciate that she believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Transfer Credit
Pericolo explains, “One of JWU Online’s strengths is that we work closely with transfer students to make the process as seamless as possible. The application process is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes. Admissions Associates assist with application steps, including requesting transcripts on your behalf.
“We have a generous transfer policy, with no expiration on credits. We accept most previously earned credits from accredited institutions and typically complete evaluations within 48 hours. This policy helps students continue their education without losing valuable credits from past coursework. We collaborate with financial planners and student services to resolve issues efficiently, and If you request help, we’ll guide you through the entire process.”
George Stinton ’28, B.S. – Hospitality Management compliments the ease of the enrollment process at JWU Online. “After 30+ years in hospitality, when I decided to return to academics, JWU felt like the right place. I was surprised at how smooth and supportive the enrollment process has been. From help with collecting transcripts — even from my high school in Japan — to the outreach from academics, financial aid, and the Work Integrated Learning advisors, I’ve felt attended to every step of the way.”
Michael Yates ’23, ’26, MBA – Event Leadership agrees with the smoothness of the transfer credit process. “When I enrolled in the Culinary Arts & Food Service Management bachelor’s degree program, the transfer advisors made it easy to transfer credits. The advisors were very knowledgeable about how courses I had taken in the past aligned with classes in the program at JWU — even though those courses were taken in two different states and three different colleges! I believe the advisors saved me a lot of time and money.”
Joshua Orndorff ’26, B.S. – Computer Science experienced a major setback when the first university he attended years ago closed in the middle of earning a bachelor’s degree. Orndorff shares, “The experience felt like a failure. When I finally decided to complete my bachelor’s degree, given the length of time I had been out of school, some wanted me to repeat all of the coursework I had done. JWU Online was able to transfer all but one of the credits I had earned toward a bachelor’s degree. For a long time, I thought there would be no opportunity for me to complete the degree — JWU gave me the way to do it.”
Financial Planning
“The financial process begins once you register for classes,” Stacy Bateni, Student Financial Planner explains. “At that time, your assigned financial planner will reach out to introduce themselves and serve as your primary point of contact. From there, we will review your account together and go over all available payment options, including financial aid, loans, payment plans, employer benefits (if applicable) and any out-of-pocket balance.
“Our goal is to ensure you understand your options and feel confident about your financial plan before the semester begins. We understand that every student’s circumstances are different, and we work closely with you to create a plan that fits your needs. At JWU Online, you get the support you deserve.”
Emmeline Orellana ’24, Master of Public Administration explains, “Especially as a single mom, it was difficult for me to pay out-of-pocket for tuition. Rayanne Enos, who was my financial advisor during the entire time I was enrolled in the program, helped me complete the FAFSA and apply for financial aid. Her assistance helped me receive the aid I qualified for and was essential to my ability to complete the program and earn my degree.”
Dedicated Academic Advisors
“Our advising team builds meaningful relationships with their students and collaborates with them to develop academic goals that are unique to that student,” notes Matthew O’Brien, Director of Student Services. “They ensure every student feels connected to the JWU community, including those who are not located near a campus. Advisors understand the individual challenges of online learning and provide students with resources and strategies to support their learning and help them succeed.”
Jessica Rounds, Academic Advisor and Manager of Academic Advising, notes, “Students credit the ongoing help from their advisors as a major force in making it through their programs. Advice about which courses to take and in what order, setting up class schedules each session, troubleshooting challenges that could be barriers to success — and friendly emails just to check in throughout their program — help them keep going.”
Rounds emphasizes that advisors want to hear from students, adding that, “Being self-motivated as an online student doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.”
Jeffrey Adams ’25, B.S. – Business Studies agrees, “Right from the first email I sent them, Jess Rounds and her team of advisors have been phenomenal. Jess’ inside information and guidance about what courses to take and in what order to take them has been invaluable, especially as I began the program. For example, Jess advised me that taking the Excel course before the analytics course would help me get the most out of learning analytics. Her recommendations have kept me engaged throughout my program.”
Academic advisors go beyond course registration to solve unexpected issues. As Baking & Pastry student Shannon Rhyne left her husband and children at home in Arizona to begin a culinary medicine internship at Boston Children’s Hospital, COVID-19 forced the country into lockdown. Because her internship was cancelled, Rhyne expected to lose credit for an entire semester. Her academic advisor at the time, Harry Ryan, Jr. spent a day and evening on the phone, talking with professors to get Rhyne registered in classes.
“Harry’s extraordinary efforts saved me from losing that semester of school,” says Rhyne. “Because I had already missed a couple of weeks of the school semester. Harry helped me get special accommodations from multiple professors to make up missed work. I would have been lost without my advisor.”
Encouraging Professors
JWU Online faculty and instructors are passionate industry experts and leaders who mentor students to build skills and confidence for successful careers. Employing innovative ways to engage students, they deliver the same high-quality experiential education online as students receive in classes on campus.
Danielle Lacorazza, Adjunct Professor in Criminal Justice emphasizes, “I genuinely want to aid in the success of my students. I convey to my students that while I am not physically present on campus, I am absolutely a resource for them to discuss careers and internships, pathways of learning whether it be graduate certificates, masters, or doctorates, content related to the course and relevant current events, and really, anything they need to discuss pertinent to their academic and professional careers.”
Rasheeda Brooks-Johnson shares, “I have flourished in a learning environment in which my teachers are intentional in their feedback about what I did well in an assignment and where there are opportunities to improve. My teachers’ willingness to provide detailed feedback has helped me increase my confidence and the relationships I am building with faculty reinforces my sense of community. At JWU, the message I got from everyone is, ‘You are not alone on this journey — we are here to help.’”
Mercedes B. Sanchez-Whisenant ’26, B.S. – Baking & Pastry and Food Service Management explains how JWU aided her in her silent lifelong struggle with dyslexia. “JWU played a significant role in helping me build confidence in myself as a student. My advisors and professors never saw me as limited — they saw me as capable. Even during moments when I doubted myself, they encouraged me to keep going. That support changed how I saw myself and gave me confidence to believe that I could succeed at a higher level.”
Hannah Levy ’26, B.S. – Hospitality Management remarks, “JWU truly exceeded my expectations. My experience at JWU Online was very different from what I expected — in the best way possible. From the beginning, the instructors were always there to support me, answer my questions, and encourage me to keep growing. As an online student, that kind of support meant everything to me. It made me feel confident, motivated, and reminded me that I was never alone in this journey.
“If I had to choose where to continue my education again,” Levy says, “I would choose JWU every time. I am so thankful for all of the instructors who make a difference in the lives of their students every day. They do more than teach, they help students believe in themselves and reach their goals.”
Reach Out When You Need Help
Yee Tran ’24, MBA – Hospitality describes how, “When under pressure during my program, I tried my best to adapt to the situation and find solutions to what was challenging me. If I had tried my best and pushed past my limit, it was time to ask for help. When we are overwhelmed, we can reach out to our professors, our advisors and our classmates.”
Jeffrey Adams shares Tran’s sentiment, “Reach out right away when you have questions — don’t wait until the end. Everybody — the professors, the administrative team and the financial services team — have been very timely in getting back to me. Make use of all of the help available to you. At JWU Online, you don’t have to do it alone.”
Ready To Begin Your Fully Supported JWU Online Journey?
Johnson & Wales University Online offers a wide selection of career-relevant undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees that position our graduates for the workforce of the future. For more information about enrolling at JWU Online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].