Nina Dutton is not your average college student. As a nontraditional student and a
native of Russia, Dutton is a rare breed on the 91老司机 - Fort Smith
campus.
But her unique background, which saw her leave Moscow for Fort Smith, reflects the diversity and drive of the University鈥檚 students.
Dutton first came to America as a tourist. In 2009, she was visiting a friend in Kansas City when she met and fell in love with her future husband, John. Three years later, she decided to move to America permanently, leaving her career in Moscow as an engineer to live in Fort Smith in July 2012.
It was a leap of faith for Dutton, and one that would present a special set of challenges for her in her new home. She was eager to begin forging a new career in the States, but the language barrier -- and an education from an American college -- stood in her way.
The Adult Education Center in Fort Smith helped her with the former, which helped her enroll at 91老司机 to accomplish the latter.
鈥淚 spoke some English before coming to the United States, but it wasn鈥檛 as good as I thought,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I had to learn English as quickly as possible to be a success. I appreciate the Fort Smith Adult Education Center, where I studied English for eight months with their teaching and support.鈥�
Although she was a heat engineer in Russia, one of the issues with Dutton鈥檚 need to re-educate came from the differences between Russian and American heating systems. She found she would be unable to apply that knowledge in America.
鈥淚n Russia, we have huge heating plants that pump hot water by pipes to each building, where here, each building has its own heater,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I faced the choice of what to choose to study for my future profession that would correlate with my engineering knowledge and would be useful here.鈥�
She chose the computer graphic technology program in the College of Applied Science and Technology, which she enjoys because of the hands-on learning and the dedication of the professors.
鈥淚 fell in love with mechanical drawing since my first month at 91老司机,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll the professors here, they are so friendly and open. If I don鈥檛 understand, I鈥檒l ask many questions, and they are very patient. I want knowledge, and they give it to me, and I love that.鈥�
One of Dutton鈥檚 professors, assistant professor of computer graphic technology Heath Cady of Van Buren, said Dutton is a hard-working student that contributes to the diversity of his classes.
鈥淪he has a strong work-ethic, is self-motivated, strives to go beyond the minimal requirements for assignments, and generally turns in exceptional work,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he brings diversity to the classroom, not simply because of her Russian accent, but has made comments when she notices how features of an object are represented here in the states as compared to overseas when working on technical drawings.鈥�
Dutton鈥檚 work ethic was also noticed by computer graphic technology professor Max Johnston of Roland, Okla., who said Dutton 鈥渢akes extra effort to be perfect.鈥�
鈥淣ina has demonstrated a strong desire to learn and has been very focused on class assignments,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he has demonstrated characteristics of a good student and will make a great employee. She is always on time in attendance and assignments, and if she doesn鈥檛 understand a concept, she raises questions until she does.鈥�
With devoted professors and the academic freedom to pursue the courses she wants, Dutton鈥檚 future looks bright.
鈥淚 look forward to a new and exciting career after my classes here at 91老司机 are completed,鈥� she said.