Dana was a self-taught high-end solutions architect with specialized training in the U.S. Naval nuclear school. Extensive globetrotting was critical in his consulting career, which entailed creating secure communication systems for worldwide enterprise networks.

Then in 1999, fate changed the rules of his far-ranging life. One November morning, an accident left Dana a C-5 quadriplegic. He spent months in the hospital relearning simple tasks. "My employer hired a nurse so I could conduct teleconferences. I could barely whisper, so she put her ear to my mouth. That just scratches the surface of the challenges I faced."

But a year from the date of the accident, Dana was wheeling around in his chair and saw a career that needed an overhaul. "I had to change the rules. I had to get a degree behind my name, with a career where I do less with my hands and more with my head." Dana knew it had to be 100% distance learning. "Wheeling into my front office for class is easier than getting into a specially equipped van and wheeling into a building for class."

"I did my homework on price/performance for my BS and MS. American Sentinel won hands down."

"Their self-paced model was extremely important to me." Dana was the only student enrolled in advanced Visual Basic.Net. When he asked his professor, also an industry architect, to change the course to .Net 2.0, he got the green light.

According to Dana, bridging the gap between 'distance learning' and 'personal engagement' can be a challenge with online education. Distance is the medium, not the caliber of communication. "My stance in learning is we need to talk – we don't need to distance ourselves. Communication is a strong suit at American Sentinel."

So what's next for the man with no limitations? After his master's, a doctorate to add teaching to the mix. Distance learning, of course. Perfect for the man who, like any seasoned traveler, knows it's never about the destination. It's always about the journey. Even when the world comes to you through the portal of your computer.