EKU Online recently hosted its second annual eCampus Awards Program (eCAPS) to recognize excellence in student support, teaching and course design.
Founded 10 years ago as an alternative delivery method for non-traditional students interested in enrolling in EKU College of Justice & Safety programs, EKU Online has grown to include more than 30 degree options. As of Fall 2016, more than 3,200 students were enrolled with EKU Online.
Tim Matthews, executive director of the Office of e-Campus Learning, spoke at the event about the first online degree programs and how EKU Online grew to span a variety of fields in four colleges.
“Many of the people who accepted the challenge of providing adult learners with access to education in these disciplines are in the room today,” said Matthews. “We are here today to celebrate the incredible collaborations that exist, and the people who make the journey so rewarding -- our faculty, our staff, and of course, our students.”
Dr. Janna Vice, senior vice president for academics and provost, received the Essence of E-campus Award. This new honor was created to recognize an individual who demonstrates the values of accountability, commitment to quality, teamwork, collaboration, warmth, kindness and humility.
Vice spearheaded a campus-wide consensus-building process in 2011 involving the deans, staff and faculty to craft the incentive-based model that has fueled EKU’s continued success in online education. She also championed the use of Quality Matters, a rubric and review process designed to promote excellence in online course design.
During the ceremony, students, staff and faculty were recognized in 13 award categories honoring areas from course design to student performance.
The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award was presented to Lisa Brooke Kaelin, a double major in psychology and homeland security from Louisville, Kentucky. Kaelin originally attended the University of Louisville several years ago. She thanked EKU for creating a path for working adults and mothers to pursue their dreams.
Brittany Yates, a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) student from Denver, Colorado, was named Outstanding Graduate Student but was unable to attend.
Faculty and staff award winners were:
Advocate for Student Success – Undergraduate Programs: Kerstin Peterson, assistant online coordinator, EKU Online Paralegal and Political Science programs
Advocate for Student Success – Graduate Programs: Amy Eades, assistant online coordinator, EKU Online Justice, Policy and Leadership program
Advocate for Student Success – Faculty Member: Dr. Scott Rockwell, fire science instructor
Excellence in Online Teaching – Undergraduate Programs: Donnie Grayson, English instructor
Excellence in Online Teaching – Graduate Programs: LeAnn Beaty, MPA director and associate professor
Excellence in Instructional Design – Mary Ann Nestmann, instructional designer
Excellence in Course Design – Margaret Zoellers, nursing instructor, and Chris Daniel, instructional designer
Highest Start Rate – Undergraduate Programs: Amanda Ballou, assistant online coordinator, EKU Online RN-BSN program
Highest Start Rate – Graduate Programs: Halie Sissle, assistant online coordinator, EKU Online Graduate Nursing programs
Highest Retention Rate – Undergraduate Programs: Brenna Holmes, assistant online coordinator, EKU Online EMC and Music programs
Highest Retention Rate – Graduate Programs: Dr. Dana Howell, OTD coordinator and professor
Outstanding Multimedia Project – Catherine Beechie, adult education instructor