Growing Online
By Justin Ward '10
Radford academic programs reach wider student audience through a new partnership.
Radford University is collaborating with a new partner to rework the changing landscape of higher education. Academic Partnerships (AP), a leading online developer of innovative and affordable higher education approaches, paired with the University to continue providing highly sought-after degree programs through a new
online format.
Non-traditional online learners throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond now have access to top-quality and affordable education from Radford University in the comfort of their own environment.
“The important work associated with this new partnership will be driven by our world-class faculty, with strong support from various administrative areas,” said Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “The Radford family looks forward to welcoming new Highlanders to both engage and learn in fully online environments now and well into the future!”
Working together with AP’s highly regarded team, Radford University can reach new student markets by starting and supporting in-demand and top-quality academic programs that are entirely online. The partnership will initially support the delivery of the University’s existing programs in an expanded online format, beginning with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees.
“Well-established programs in the School of Nursing and the Davis College of Business and Economics have delivered a quality education to our students for many years,” said Jeanne Mekolichick, Ph.D., associate provost for academic programs at Radford University. “The fast-track asynchronous format will increase both accessibility and affordability. Expanding the flexibility of our educational delivery mode is a student-centered approach to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse group of adult learners interested in advancing their education and fulfilling employer needs.”
AP is opening the door for the University to also advance efforts in competency-based education through the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab by offering cybersecurity and geospatial intelligence certificates that will help students accelerate their careers in technology. Additional certificate programs that are forthcoming will also support the expanding workforce demands of Virginia and beyond.
All of these expanded programs will help combat the impact of COVID-19 on the economy by providing working adults with access and opportunity, workforce-relevant and easily accessible education in critical, flourishing fields.
“It was very important to us that the programs be driven by Radford faculty, while AP works in partnership with our faculty to convert their courses to an online format and recruit and help retain students through program completion. In this way, we are aligned to help ensure student success is paramount across the duration of the program,” said Lyn Lepre, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.
A leading online facilitator, AP is based in Dallas, Texas, and is a partner to more than 50 universities across the country, primarily regional public universities. AP takes the academic programs of each institution online and boosts recruitment and retention of highly qualified students, seeing them through program completion. AP’s mission is to expand access to top quality, affordable and workforce-relevant education for working and adult students.
