Marcel Ducharme (MDE 2009) is a training development officer (TDO) in the Canadian Forces. He currently fills the position of senior staff officer, standards, in the Canadian Defence Academy. The Academy is an organization that is responsible for all common officer and non-commission member training and education in the Canadian Forces, along with other assigned training for occupations - logistics, cooks, padres, etc. - that span the land, sea and air environments.

"There were three attributes that drew me to Athabasca University. First was its excellent reputation for providing quality adult education. Second is AU's innovation and application of technology to make learning accessible, especially as I was required to travel due to my job. The third attribute was the flexibility of the master of distance education program as it would allow me to work at my own pace so I could balance my family, work and community commitments with my studies.

"From a professional perspective, the MDE program has provided me with a breadth of knowledge and skills that I've been able to apply in my current job - from being involved in the development of new courses, to overseeing revisions to the CF's instructional design manuals, to chairing or advising on various committee/working groups pertaining to training and education in the CF.

"Completion of my degree from a personal perspective has been extremely rewarding as I've always enjoyed challenging myself and achieving personal learning goals. I think it also has demonstrated the importance of education to our children.

"Now that I've completed the program, I've considered AU's EdD but recognize this goal may have to wait a number of years to put the needs of my family first after the support they've shown over the last number of years, although that does not preclude keeping up my reading from a professional-development perspective and maybe even taking the odd course."