Former NC State Point Guard to Complete Interdisciplinary Degree

Eduardo Javier Gonzalez, more popularly known as Javi, attended NC State and played on the men’s basketball team.

He was point guard from 2007 to 2011. In his final season at State, Gonzalez started 21 games as point guard. He became the 17th player in NC State history to record 300 career assists.

Now 27, Gonzalez plays professional basketball in Puerto Rico but is still a student athlete.

During his time at NC State, Gonzalez was majoring in Science Technology and Society, an interdisciplinary degree program examining how science and technology influence the modern world. However, he was unable to complete before moving forward with a career in basketball.

Gonzalez decided he wanted to finish his degree. Living and playing basketball in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he knew going back to school on campus was not an option, so he reached out to NC State Online and Distance Education in the fall of 2015.

“Distance education [was] the best alternative for my situation,” Gonzalez said.

Although a degree in science, technology and society will not directly help Gonzalez further his career on the court, he says it will create new possibilities and open new doors for him in a life outside of basketball.

With a busy traveling schedule, like any other student balancing work and school, Gonzalez has to set aside time for school work.

“I have to say that the key to juggling school and my busy schedule has been making a weekly schedule and sticking to it. I make a list of all the assignments with their respective due dates and set up a weekly calendar with study sessions that don’t conflict with my work schedule,” Gonzalez said.

One of Gonzalez’s favorite online courses has been Technology in Science and Culture.

“I really enjoyed learning about the technological advances and how they affect society. It was a very interesting course,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez added he strives to get his course work done during the week so he can enjoy the weekend with his family. He said NC State’s Online and Distance Education is giving him the opportunity to complete an unfinished degree.

“It’s a great tool for those of us who are juggling careers, family and school at the same time,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez will complete his degree this December.