Collierville Chamber hears how U of M is helping adults earn degrees
Collierville business leaders learned this week how the University of Memphis is helping people nationally and globally reach their academic goals.
Richard Irwin
Richard Irwin, Executive Dean for U of M Global and Academic Innovation, shared information about the university’s efforts at the Collierville Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Wednesday.
“It never ceases to amaze me (who doesn’t get to finish),” he said. “We can help you out.”
The university is making extra efforts in its online programs and reaching out and “catering” to adults who may have not finished their degrees, he said.
“I think it will make you proud to know that your local public university institution is providing these universities to support students in their degree program,” Irwin said.
The Finish Line program recruits students back to the U of M after they've left.
“You would be stunned the size of that pool,” Irwin said, noting students in the program are fewer than 30 credit hours of reaching their degree. “Unfortunately … It’s a major issue for us to address — letting someone get to that point and not seeing the end of the road.”
Often, students have a financial limitation, he said. The program allows students who have exhausted financial options to return to the university and finish their degree and have it paid for by the university.
Irwin said “it’s really gratifying” to see students finish. A total of 624 have finished through the program. Students on average are 36 years old and need less than a full term of classes — usually about 11 credit hours. And 93% are classified as adult learners.
The university is also providing credit for experiential learning and workplace learning. If someone brings in a certain certification, they can get credit or a portfolio that demonstrates college-level learning.
“Students can earn credit in a variety of different methods and ways,” Irwin said. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be in the classroom.”
The U of M's Global Instructional Design team is also based in Collierville since it can serve students in a virtual setting.
And the U of M is expanding its reach with U of M Global, online classes that can be taken throughout the nation and abroad.
“We focused our resources on U of M Global’s national footprint,” Irwin said.
About 3,400 students are enrolled across 39 states, which means about 15% of the students are likely not in the Memphis area. About two-thirds are undergraduate students.
Memphis has provided online classes since the 1990's. Next semester, the university hopes to offer 100 programs with degrees online.
In 2017, the university realized that centralized support for students was needed since online students were too often treated like “on-ground students,” or those on the campus. Online students can now receive most services they could receive if they attended classes on campus.
The university has recently received statewide and national accolades for its efforts, Irwin said. Nursing, education and business online programs are also recognized often.
“A majority of our classes are taught by full-time staff,” he said. “They are taught by individuals that are either tenured track or have been hired on a full-time basis. We don’t adjunct. We don’t outsource our instruction.”
He said while Memphis has been approached about outsourcing, U of M President David Rudd wants to “build this in-house.”
He also said the online classes have tried to eliminate the “barrier of time and space,” allowing students to continue their U of M education if they move away or have other needs. About 80% of graduating seniors took an online class during their time at the U of M.
The U of M has partnered with FedEx to help students return and earn degrees. They have seen positive results.
In addition, Irwin said the university is launching something similar with another prominent local business this month but could not offer details.
“This kind of work is good for the student," he said. "It’s good for the company. It’s good for the institution and more importantly, it’s good for the community. It has a generational impact.”
Collierville Center
Collierville has had a U of M location since 1999.
Classes formerly met in the Carrier building but in 2015 moved to West Poplar Avenue, just west of the Collierville Schools district office. The 25,000-square-foot space has 14 classrooms, a computer lab, testing center and meeting space that can be used by the community. More than 500 students use the Collierville space.
In collaboration with Collierville High School, the Collierville campus has a credit-by-exam program. AP courses, in which students can take an exam at the end of the year, are another way one to get college credit. Irwin helped the university add credit-by-exam programs to help students save time and money. About 70 national exams are offered for about $115.
Topics
Collierville Collierville Chamber of Commerce Richard Irwin U of M Global University of MemphisAbigail Warren
Abigail Warren is an award-winning reporter and covers Collierville and Germantown for The Daily Memphian. She was raised in the Memphis suburbs, attended Westminster Academy and studied journalism at the University of Memphis. She has been with The Daily Memphian since 2018.
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