ODU Online Student and former Army Reservist Sets Sights on the Trail

Gina Knox ’24, a former Army Reservist and current online geography major through ODUGlobal, has always sought new challenges. 

Her latest challenge has come at sea, where Knox works on a science team as an explorer-in-training on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ship Okeanos Explorer.  

“This was an extremely competitive opportunity that was no doubt afforded to me due to my work at ODU and my background,” Knox said.  
 
She is in the early stages of reimagining immersion safety suits —specialized gear designed to protect sailors and scientists in emergencies. 

“This is an ongoing project, and I’m getting feedback from personnel on usability and, hopefully, this will further my knowledge in user-centered design.” 

The work aligns with Knox’s goal to enroll in a graduate engineering program and eventually design military-grade outdoor gear and gear for extreme environments. 
 
Knox was initially interested in pursuing an engineering major but discovered that geography was a better fit for her undergraduate program, thanks to the guidance of ODUGlobal advisors. That path helped Knox accelerate her timetable and gives her the flexibility to pursue engineering in graduate school. 

“I had excellent advisement,” Knox said. “They listened to my ideas and provided mentorship and knowledge that helped lead me to further opportunities as I pivoted to a different degree program.” 

Knox also credits ODU’s online program for enabling her to balance a globe-trotting career with her academic pursuits, which are deeply intertwined with her love for the outdoors. Her studies in geography not only fuel her curiosity but also align with her passion for exploring and protecting natural landscapes. 

Knox attributes her passion to an earth science class that first introduced her to Wisconsin’s ancient glacial landscapes. Her curiosity grew into a hobby during her time as a civilian contractor, where her unconventional work schedule allowed her to pursue adventure in the mountains of western Virginia on her days off.  

“I would jump into my car and head out into the Appalachian range or explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also volunteered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation—a great excuse to get outdoors.” 

A transformative moment came during one of her early drives from the Midwest to Virginia, where Knox encountered the Appalachian Mountains for the first time.  

“I had to stop the car and start taking pictures. The view wasn’t like anything I’d seen before, and it really changed me,” she recalled.  

Now Knox has plans to blaze her own trail – quite literally – by hiking either the Continental Divide Trail or the Appalachian Trail next spring after her anticipated graduation in December. 

"The hike will be a first-hand experience to discover what kinds of gear I need and could design,” Knox said. 

Though college didn’t initially seem like the right path for Knox, her time working in military intelligence in the Army Reserves gave her the skills and discipline needed to successfully return to higher education.  

“I’m really grateful for my time in the reserves,” Knox said. “It played a huge role in shaping who I am today.” 

In her civilian career, Knox worked as a contractor in multiple locations, including Qatar, Cuba and Colorado. Her work involves using geospatial techniques and tools to gather and report terrain information.  

The flexible, asynchronous online program through ODUGlobal has been instrumental in allowing Knox to complete her education while working for much of the past year in Doha, Qatar, which is seven hours ahead of the East Coast. 
 
“I wouldn’t have been able to go to school without the option of a flexible online education,” she said. “ODUGlobal worked perfectly for me.”