13 Dec 2013 Ouachita Baptist trustees endorse off-campus program with New Life Church
Ouachita Baptist University and New Life Church have entered into a partnership to offer off-campus degree programs.
The program was announced after the OBU Board of Trustees approved plans Dec. 12.
The board action notes that Ouachita and New Life “share a vision for equipping the next generation of Christian leaders with a quality education and passion for Christ’s work in the world.”
The resolution further states that “the proposed degree programs will provide a high-quality, relational and ministry-focused Christian education that is both nonresidential and highly affordable as an alternative for students” who might otherwise pursue other educational options.
The action authorizes Ouachita administrators to “establish a partnership with New Life Church to offer courses leading to the associate of arts degree at NLC’s Conway campus beginning in August, pending approval by appropriate accrediting bodies.”
In addition to the off-campus degree program, Ouachita also announced plans to launch online degree programs. The resolution concerning online degree programs noted that Ouachita “desires to extend the reach of its vision to foster a love of God and a love of learning by creating for students and other constituents dynamic growth opportunities both on campus and throughout the world.”
Affirming that online education “is a continually expanding means of delivering quality undergraduate and graduate education,” the resolution authorized Ouachita administrators to establish programs to offer online courses leading to the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees “pending approval by appropriate accrediting bodies.”
In addition, board members heard reports about three major campus construction and renovation projects, including Cliff Harris Stadium, the Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts and the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family & Community.
Trustees also approved two new staff members:
Hannah Bishop, a 2013 Ouachita graduate from Conway, will serve as an admissions counselor. Her territory includes northwest Arkansas, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington.
Vickie Young will serve as a financial aid counselor in the Student Financial Services Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Henderson State University. She has worked since 2010 as an admissions and financial aid advisor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
