Vicky Duval was presented with her diploma during a celebration on February 10th at Indiana University East.  Duval completed her online degree, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, in December 2021 with highest distinction.

WTA professional tennis player Vicky Duval is presented with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Indiana University East on February 10. Duval completed her degree online in December 2021.

Chancellor Kathy Girten presented Duval’s diploma to her.

“I am so happy to have Vicky back on campus, now as a graduate,” Girten said. “I admire her determination and drive. Vicky, like so many of our WTA players, successfully manage an impressive tennis career while attaining their degree.”

Duval first visited the Richmond campus as a freshman in August 2016. She was a featured guest speaker, joining with alumni and friends of IU East and Indiana University, for the opening celebration of the Student Events and Activities Center.

“It was such an honor to represent the WTA and speak at the opening of the Student Events Center,” Duval said in email ahead of Thursday’s celebration. “As someone who has been homeschooled my whole life, I really enjoyed the experience of walking around campus and meeting the staff members I frequently communicated with. On this visit, I look forward to expressing my gratitude to those who have helped and supported me on this journey, and of course, I look forward to my celebration.”

With the completion of her diploma, Duval joins over 10,000 IU East alumni.

“I was attracted to business administration because this degree opens doors to many career paths, and I wanted to learn the necessary tools to eventually start my own venture one day,” Duval said. “I plan on continuing my education by either getting an M.B.A. or studying for law school.”

Duval was joined by her mother, Nadine Duval.

IU East Chancellor Kathy Girten presents Vicky Duval with her bachelor’s degree. Duval is the 15th WTA player to have graduated from IU East.

Currently, there are 15 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) players enrolled at IU East through an educational agreement between the campus and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA).

Duval is the 15th player to have graduated from IU East, the WTA’s educational partner.

IU East alumnae also include former World No. 1 Venus Williams, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Alla Kudryavtseva, Irina Falconi, Katalin Marosi, Sandra Zaniewska, Ivana Lisjak, Natalia Siedliska, Anastasia Rodionova, Arina Rodionova, Madga Linette, Nicole Melichar, Teodora Mircic and Shelby Rogers.

Duval has overcome a number of obstacles and adversity throughout her life yet she continues to convey a positive outlook and a never-give-up attitude. (Watch Duval’s TEDx Youth Talk from 2015.)

At age 7 she was held at gunpoint and held hostage while living in her parents’ native Haiti. In 2010, her father was trapped under the rubble of their home during the Haiti earthquake but pulled himself free after 11 hours. In 2014, Duval was playing at Wimbledon when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She went on to play three more matches before ending her play in the tournament; however, she broke into the world top 100 and was ranked 87th. She is now cancer free.

“At the age of 18, I received a life changing diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that totally derailed my professional tennis career,” Duval said. “When that was taken away from me, I thought about life after tennis and decided to enroll at IU East. Education has always been important to me and my family, both of my parents are doctors, so although I initially wanted to get a degree after my career, I decided to take classes alongside my recovery and comeback to professional tennis.”

Chancellor Girten said Duval’s ability to juggle her obligations, despite personal setbacks, yet complete her degree is admirable.

“Vicky, you truly are an inspiration and an outstanding role model for IU East students who work hard to balance their own lives and studies each day,” Girten said.

The professional athletes – like many students – work to balance life and work obligations with class studies.

Vicky Duval stands with her diploma.

The agreement provides the opportunity for players to professionally train and play tennis while completing their bachelor’s degree online. IU East’s online degree completion programs offer the high quality of an Indiana University degree to students throughout Indiana, nationally and internationally. IU East offers 47 options for students to complete their bachelor’s degree or certificate online.

IU East administrators, faculty and staff who worked with Duval throughout her academic program, and invited guests joined the celebration.

Denise Smith, dean of the School of Business and Economics said Duval was an exemplary student for the B.S.B.A. program. Duval was a student in one of Smith’s classes that she co-taught.

“Vicky demonstrated leadership in class projects and was committed to excellence in her work, earning one of the highest grades in the class! We in the School of Business and Economics at IU East are proud of her accomplishments in the classroom and on the tennis court,” Smith said.

Sanga Song, assistant professor of marketing, also taught Duval in her classes. Though unable to attend the celebration, Song conveyed her best wishes.

“It was a pleasure having her in my classes as she was always engaging, worked hard, and kept class discussions lively and interesting,” Song said. “She demonstrated her ability to understand the concepts presented in class and expertly apply them to her problem-solving. Vicky, congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure.”

Duval added she was thankful for the opportunity the educational partnership provided.

Vicky Duval is led on a campus tour by IU East student Manuel Roman, a men’s tennis team member, and now a student assistant coach. He is a human life science major with minors in neuroscience and chemistry.
Duval is joined on the tour by her mother, Nadine Duval, and friends Sarah Lockhart and Rebecca Lockhart, IU East alumnae.

“I am grateful for the scholarship program and partnership between IU East and WTA because I was able to finish my degree with no student debt. My professors were accommodating and understanding, which really helped when I was traveling for tournaments. Thank you, IU East,” Duval said.

The WTA and WTBA encourage the professional athletes as they pursue a degree.

WTBA Executive Director Lisa Grattan congratulated Duval on her accomplishment.

“Vicky continues to demonstrate her commitment, determination and resilience in everything she does in life, including her recent achievement of earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration at IU East, Grattan said. “The WTBA is incredibly proud to celebrate Vicky as the 15th graduate through our valuable educational partnership with IU East.”

Following the celebration, Duval returned to her home in Florida.

In three months, IU East will host its Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2022. Duval left a few words of encouragement for the students who will soon join her as alumni.

“I believe that acquiring a degree is important to obtain better opportunities in life and it’s an accomplishment you will be proud of. I took classes while playing tennis professionally, and graduated summa cum laude, so it can be done even if you have a busy life,” Duval said.

About the WTA

Vicky Duval celebrates her accomplishment on February 10th at IU East. She was presented with her diploma after completing her online degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, in December 2021. She is the 15th Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player to have graduated from IU East.

Founded by Billie Jean King in 1973 on the principle of equal opportunity, the WTA is the global leader in women’s professional sports. The WTA is one of the world’s most recognizable and high-profile sports organizations, consisting of more than 1650 players representing approximately 85 nations, all competing to earn WTA rankings points and prestigious tournament titles. The WTA Tour comprises of over 50 events and four Grand Slams, spanning six continents and nearly 30 countries and regions with a global audience of over 700 million. The Tour culminates with the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, honoring the season’s top singles and doubles players based on the final standings of the Porsche Race to Shenzhen leaderboard. Further information on the WTA can be found at wtatennis.com, facebook.com/WTA and twitter.com/WTA.

About the WTBA
The Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA) is a non-profit organization, established to promote and protect the common interests of all women tennis professionals (the “Members”) and to unite them in a single representative organization. The Organization’s primary activities are to administer and manage the pension plan and other assets owned by or on behalf of the Members; to oversee the Member Health Insurance and Disability; and to offer “Transitions” Educational Programming.

About IU East and IU East Online Programs
Indiana University East has an enrollment of over 3,500 students. IU East is both a traditional campus that excels in innovative learning options and a virtual campus with select online degree completion programs. The university’s customized bachelor’s and master’s programs – a portfolio of over 50 degree program options – anticipate the growing needs of citizens in the region, state and nation.

IU East’s online degree programs offer the high quality of an Indiana University degree to students throughout Indiana, nationally and internationally. IU East offers 47 options for students to complete a bachelor’s degree or certifcate online in English with an emphasis in Technical and Professional Writing, Mathematics, Natural Science and Mathematics with a Mathematics Concentration, Communication Studies, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Psychology, General Studies, an R.N. to B.S.N. Mobility Option, and more. IU East also offers a Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics. For more information, visit iue.edu/online.