How ODU's Distance Learning Helped Shape a Healthcare Leader

Marialena Murphy ‘01 never imagined how ODU’s distance learning program would help propel her nursing career when she enrolled in the late ‘90s. 

More than 2,000 miles from ODU’s main campus, Murphy dutifully walked into a classroom at Yavapai College in Arizona for the precursor to today’s innovative ODUGlobal online learning platform. But while she could be the only person physically in the room, Murphy was hardly alone.

ODU’s innovative satellite learning platform, TELETECHNET, allowed students worldwide to participate in real-time, interactive classes—years before online learning became widespread. The satellite sent a broadcast signal to Arizona, where Murphy participated in real-time classes. She even had a microphone that would allow her to answer questions and participate in classroom discussions.

“I couldn’t have gotten my bachelor’s at the time without this program,” said Murphy, a recent honoree of the Old Dominion University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024. “It opened a door for me that I didn’t know I’d be able to walk through.”

Murphy credits her ODU bachelor’s in health sciences for providing momentum as she grew into leadership and administrative roles in nursing. She recently retired from the role of chief nursing officer at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Murphy’s path to leadership began with her promotion to clinical director at a surgical center in Prescott. She believed earning a bachelor’s degree would help her build credibility and gain respect among peers and patients.

Faced with the challenge of balancing work, family and further education, Murphy felt limited by local options that were, at best, roughly two-hour drives away. Her father, now an instructor ​at Yavapai College and ​retired from the US Navy,​ who knew ODU, discovered a partnership between the college and ODU, guiding her toward ODU’s distance learning program.

So Murphy worked at the surgical center while taking satellite classes. She had classmates in Virginia, but some spread across other community colleges and others even served on aircraft carriers at sea. Murphy said the real-time connection gave a feeling of camaraderie and closeness.

“ODU showed me that even when it doesn’t seem like something is possible, there’s a solution there,” Murphy said. “You have to stick with it. You can’t give up, because you’ll find a way through.”

Murphy’s dedication to lifelong learning didn’t end with her ODU degree. She pursued two master’s degrees, two specialty certifications and served as a nurse leader and educator, mentoring others to embrace education at every stage of their careers. 

Murphy’s continued education supported her rise through leadership roles in Arizona hospitals before joining the Mayo Clinic in 2014 as a nurse administrator for surgical services. She eventually became chief nursing officer, responsible for over 4,000 patient care staff. 

“The Mayo Clinic model for patient care and the primary value of 'the needs of the patient come first' care are really in the fabric of every decision,” Murphy said. “I still get goosebumps when I recall being in meetings where every discussion, even about construction or finance, focused on what would be best for our patients. The opportunity to work for them is a highlight of my career.” 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy’s experience with distance learning came full circle. She used virtual meetings to connect with her thousands of staff members, leveraging technology to foster the same sense of connection and camaraderie she had experienced as an ODU distance learner. 

“We wanted to break down barriers and ensure that everybody felt like they had access to leadership,” Murphy said. “Virtual meetings allow you to connect with so many people that you couldn’t before. You build these personal relationships, which was always one of the things that amazed me about my time at ODU.”