42FALL ACADEMICS Educational Ou t l e t s Harding Online offers students a new learning platform. CLASSES AT HARDING WERE typically offered in person on the Searcy campus. In spring of 2021, Harding Online was developed to expand Harding’s reach. The program was an opportunity for students of any age to further their education without having to quit their job or relocate. “Harding Online is a new concept because it doesn’t fit the traditional university structure, but it is a new division, and its intention is to reach more students through online education,” Associate Dean of Harding Online Reet Cronk said. “It’s just reaching more students and giving them an opportunity to experience what Harding is.” Harding Online utilized various companies that approached them about partnerships, such as Strata Leadership, Orbis Education, Grand Canyon Education and ConnectEDU. There was a diverse set of programs from many different departments, including the College of Bible and Ministry, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education, the College of Nursing, the College of Sciences and the Harding School of Theology. Some programs were offered remotely before Harding Online was established, such as the bachelor’s in Bible and ministry. Assistant professor of Bible Jordan Guy was glad to hear more programs would be available to students. “They get access to the same Harding professors that someone who could move here gets access to,” Guy said. “It’s a lot cheaper to do that. We have good scholarships for students who want to take that route.” Each program was completely online, but that did not stop students from forming connections and engaging with the class. Abigail Cooper, a student in the master of arts in organizational leadership program, appreciated the flexibility of the newly formatted courses. “The entire class, so far, has been a huge collaboration,” Cooper said. “Every single week, almost every single day, we have discussion posts. I talk to my classmates consistently through this program.” Harding Online provided more students with access to educational programs, which opened opportunities for administration, teachers and students alike. “Why not have Harding also give access to all the goodness that we have here and not keep it to ourselves and make it affordable, make it accessible for the whole world?” Guy asked. “I came here not for the money, not for a status — I came here to teach. If I get to teach more people because of this, that’s wonderful, so I love the idea of getting to do that.” WRITTEN BY CAROLINE SLATER ESSENTIALS TO SURVIVAL Senior Kendall Hall writes in her planner. Making sure due dates were written down was essential to online school. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall
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