Mentorship, Motivation & Success in the Online Classroom 

This conversation is part of our Faculty FaceTime series, featuring the educators who bring WSU Global Campus to life.

Dr. Imran Haider, Scholarly Assistant Professor and Director of Online Programs for the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, has taught at the college level for more than 15 years — including five with WSU.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and flow.

Stories of Student Success and Growth

Q: Can you share a memorable story about a student you’ve mentored and their success?

A: One student I taught during my first year at WSU recently completed our graduate program and reached out to tell me the impact my public speaking class had on her back in 2020—that was an incredible moment. I also worked with a former WSU athlete who returned to finish his degree after 20 years. We had several conversations about purpose, motivation, and how to apply what he was learning to his life and career.

Another student I’ll never forget was a veteran who had served two tours in Iraq. What began as a quick 15-minute chat during office hours turned into a 90-minute conversation about his experiences, his transition back to civilian life, and how course topics like bias, prejudice, and stereotypes connected to his personal growth.

To me, every student defines success differently. If I can help open a door, build confidence, or offer direction through one conversation, that’s a success story. And often, those same students end up teaching me something too—that’s the best part of this job.

Balancing Work, Family & School

Q: What advice do you have for students balancing school with work, family, and other responsibilities?

A: My biggest piece of advice is simple—and maybe a little cliché—but it’s to make a schedule and take things one step at a time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about everything you need to do in a week. Focus on completing one task well, then move on to the next.

Time management is everything. Give yourself structure and be consistent with it. Global Campus courses are designed to be flexible, which really helps. Assignments typically open on Mondays and close on Sundays at 11:59 p.m., giving students the freedom to work at the time that fits their lives—early mornings, late nights, or during the day while kids are at school.

That flexibility allows you to set your own rhythm and build a routine that works for you. Consistency and time management are what help students not just stay on track but succeed.

Finding Your “Why”

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering an online degree, what would it be?

A: My advice would be to find your “why.” Once you know your reason, everything else will start to fall into place. But if you’re unsure why you want a degree—or if someone else is pushing you to do it—it might not be the right time yet.

Your “why” could be a new career path, setting an example for your family, or simply accomplishing a long-held goal. Whatever it is, let that purpose drive you through the challenges and keep you focused until you finish.

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Catch up on Dr. Haider’s earlier insights in “Inside WSU Global Campus: Connecting with Students Around the World Through Online Learning,” then see how he and other WSU faculty are transforming perceptions of online education in “The Truth About Online Education: A WSU Global Campus Faculty Perspective.”