Category: Featured

In This Together: How We’re Staying #HealthyatHome During Coronavirus

In This Together: How We’re Staying #HealthyatHome During Coronavirus

The coronavirus has undeniably uprooted lives around the world. And the lives of our team here at UofL Online Learning are no exception.

We may all still be engaged and ready to help anyone looking to get started with online education at the University of Louisville — but we’re also working remotely, from the safety of our homes. And that means, like everyone else, we’re practicing good social distancing and doing our best to stay #healthyathome. And also dealing with new and slightly more unruly co-workers that look a lot like our kids, spouses and pets…

Here’s what we’ve been up to these past few weeks.

They say life is all about balance, right? For me, staying #healthyathome has meant finding a good balance between supporting my emotional health through chips and Oreos (#doublestuffedFTW) and my physical/mental health through bike rides through the neighborhood with my daughter and home yoga workouts.

Ashley J., Marketing

Working from home has certainly been a change of pace. One of my new coworkers howls every time someone walks by and the other is constantly leaving her hair all over the place—weirdos.  I’ve been staying healthy at home and supporting #TeamKentucky by reading all. the. books. I’ve also discovered some new Netflix gems (no one else has watched Ozark yet, right?) and learned to French-braid my hair.

Caitlin H., Marketing

With plenty of hobbies and nice weather, I’m enjoying my time at home. I’ve been sewing, using Steam to play cards with friends online and getting outside to play Pokemon Go. My home office stool is generally uncomfortable, but I get up from my desk to stretch as needed.

Danielle E., Administrative Systems

During the workday, I set a timer to remind myself to get up and stretch every hour. I occasionally do some jumping jacks or walk the stairs a few times. I love walking my dog on lunch breaks and my cat is a relaxing presence in my home office. Outside of work hours, I video chat friends and family as much as possible. We’ve discovered we can even play Jackbox Games virtually!

Erin E., Enrollment

For me, staying #healthyathome has meant long walks with my dog, Beau. It has also meant catching up on all of my favorite Bravo reality shows and snacking on way too many Reese’s.

Macy B., Recruitment

Keeping positive during the work-from-home order at the University of Louisville has been easy. I’m still connected to students and to my family with the help of virtual tools. Frequent walks in my neighborhood are refreshing and audiobooks keep my mind sharp.

Meredith Wright, Enrollment

For me, staying #healthyathome has meant finding ways to keep my spirits up. I like getting mid-day hugs from my two little boys as a pick me up. Having a one year old and two year old, getting fresh air and exercise has been key to keeping our house sane. We try to get outside any day that is nice and spend the evenings going for walks or playing in the yard.

Samantha Barnes, Marketing

My family is staying healthy at home (and sane) by spending as much time as possible outside—creating chalk masterpieces in the driveway, going on walks, bike rides, playing in the backyard or just sitting and talking on the patio. I am personally using this time to improve on my mediation and yoga practices and may have slightly increased my wine intake.

Sara M., Marketing

For me, staying #healthyathome has been trying to focus on being present. Cooking a good meal, getting in a solid home workout, or taking a nice walk in the sun all help me slow down and focus on the now. Pictured is a green tofu curry dish I whipped up!

Tristan B., Enrollment

My #healthyathome routine includes; good shows, good food and a good sweat! I’ve been enjoying staying inside and doing some extreme self-care by watching some binge worthy shows, eating my favorite foods and closing all of my rings via my apple watch through yoga and getting some miles in around my neighborhood.

Veronica J., Enrollment

Comment and let us know how you’ve been staying #healthyathome. Or, if you’re looking for more information about UofL’s online programs, reach out and let us know!

We’re Here For You: Navigating Uncertainty During The Coronavirus Pandemic

We’re Here For You: Navigating Uncertainty During The Coronavirus Pandemic

A Note From UofL’s Online Programs Enrollment Team


UofL Family & Future Applicants,

We know you’re probably feeling unclear and even scared about what the future holds. We know this because, honestly, we’re feeling it too. And in times like these it’s important to remember that even as we’re all tucked safely into our homes, isolated from our loved ones, we’re in this together.

It’s also important to note that life does not stop moving forward simply because times are difficult. Which is why our team remains engaged and prepared to help you move forward. In this, too, you’re not alone.

If you’d like to explore your options, we encourage you to reach out with any concerns you might have about navigating your education at this time. Our enrollment counselors are available by phone or email to answer questions and offer guidance through the application and enrollment process.

Until we talk next, we hope you find ways to stay optimistic, and let us know what we can do to help as you consider your next step.

Erin, Macy, Meredith, Tristan, Veronica & Will
UofL Online Programs Enrollment Team

CONTACT US
Toll-free: 800-871-UofL (8635)
Website: louisville.edu/online
Email: online@louisville.edu

*   *   *

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUMMER APPLICATION DEADLINE

Though the “preferred” deadline for many of our programs remains April 1, programs will still be accepting applications beyond this date. Many programs are also accepting unofficial transcripts in lieu of official transcripts in case there is a delay in requesting or receiving them from your previous institutions. Reach out today with any questions or find your program using our Program Finder for more information.

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SUMMER TUITION REDUCED FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS

Due to all courses moving online for Summer Term, we have reduced the tuition rate for in-state online students to $489 per credit hour (undergraduate) and $723 per credit hour (graduate). Professional programs and special rate programs are excluded.*

*Other exclusions may apply. Contact our enrollment counselors for details.

Requesting Official Transcripts Online: How To [Infographic]

Requesting Official Transcripts Online: How To [Infographic]

So, you’ve decided to take the next step in your education. And after browsing the various program options available to you, you’ve found the one for you and submitted your application. (We know, we know… It’s never quite that simple.) Then, while attempting to capitalize on your forward momentum, you found yourself at a roadblock. Often times, the next step most online institutions will ask you to do is submit an official college transcript from all previously attended institutions.

And you may just find yourself asking… how do you go about that?

Infographic: Submitting an Online Request

Submitting an online request for college transcripts can often feel like a daunting or intimidating task, especially for anyone who has been out of school for years. All these questions may start popping up in your head…

Where do you go to submit your official transcript request? Where do you send transcripts after requesting them? How should you send transcripts to colleges you’re interested in?

The last thing we want is for you to loose momentum on a task that feels scary but can really be simple. Which is why we’re here to help. We created a “How To” infographic that empowers you to take on the task of requesting your transcripts without hesitation by taking you step-by-step through how to request transcripts from colleges.

Download the Transcript Retrieval Guide by filling out the form below.

Note: Our guide targets the future UofL student, but should be loosely applicable to all transcript requests… regardless of where you’ve chosen to continue your education.

Online Transcript Request: Step-by-Step

While transcripts can be requested online, in-person or by mail, the recommended method is to order transcripts online through the institution website.

Steps to request official college transcript(s) online:

  1. Search the web for “[Your School’s Name Here] transcript”
  2. Visit the Registrar’s or Transcript Order page found at the top of your search results*
  3. Submit the web request for your official transcripts
  4. Send college transcripts directly to the university you want to attend
  5. Repeat for all institutions you’ve attended in the past

* Don’t see a viable link in your results? Try adding “request” or “order” to your search terms!

This process should also be effective for high school transcript requests.

We’re Here to Help Request Your Transcripts (and More!)

As our guide states, every student’s journey is different. If you’re an adult student, you’re probably juggling a lot of other responsibilities. In light of that, tasks like transcript requests can often feel like a burden. But we don’t want it to; we’re here to help you feel excited as you take these steps, not overwhelmed.

UofL has designated enrollment counselors that are here to help you understand how to request your transcripts (and so much more!).

If you have questions or comments before/during/after you work through our guide, let us know! If you’re just now getting started determining which award-winning online UofL program is right for you, we’re here to help with that too. Comment below, call us at 1.800.871.8635 or shoot us an email at online@louisville.edu.

Whether your a future online Card or using our guide to get started at another higher education institution, best of luck on your upcoming education journey.

Unfinished Business: A UofL professor’s dedication to helping adult students cross the finish line

Unfinished Business: A UofL professor’s dedication to helping adult students cross the finish line

Matt Bergman, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at the University of Louisville (UofL) teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. Anyone that has the opportunity to work with Dr. Bergman can tell you, he has found a calling working with students who have not been able to follow the traditional college path. He works with adults who have an unfinished bachelor’s degree but have completed some college, maybe even decades ago.

Interested in finishing
your bachelor’s degree?
F
ind out more about the
B.S. OLL program at UofL.

The reasons for leaving college before completing their degree may vary, but all of these students’ stories share a common thread—they all found the courage and the drive to come back and finish what they started.

Dr. Bergman and Dr. Joann Olson, a senior scholar from Texas, recently published a book chronicling the experiences of these students. A full description of Unfinished Business is available from the publisher.

We sat down with Dr. Bergman for a quick Q&A, to learn more about Unfinished Business. Here is what he shared:

I love that you titled your book Unfinished Business—it is very fitting. How did you land on that? Were there any other contenders for the title?
MB: The title has been in place for over four years. It came to me in a conversation with a student and right then I knew it captured the essence of what these adult learners are thinking as they consider a return to college.

I think anyone who gets to work with you knows how passionate you are about reaching and connecting with this group – adults with some college but no degree – and helping them cross the finish line. What inspires you to dedicate yourself to supporting this demographic?
MB: This group has so many life experiences and a ton of professional expertise to draw from when they re-engage with the academic setting. It is so amazing to learn alongside them as you introduce a complex theory and watch them make direct connections to their real-life work. It is truly research-to-practice the whole time they are working through our degree. The commitment to getting an “A” in every class is palpable. They don’t like to settle for anything less. They are trying to serve as an inspiration to their children and they want to model the kind of grades they expect from their kids.

Unfinished Business is a collection of student stories and I know each student’s journey is unique, but is there one story that really stands out to you?
MB: There are too many to really identify one particular story. However, if I had to pick one or two, I would start with Phillip Alier. He is one of the “Lost Boys from Sudan” who had to walk 1,000 miles to their freedom, many years ago. As he said at a book launch event, he came to America with nothing. He only had a bag full of a couple of documents and an X-ray to prove he wasn’t bringing any diseases to this country. His journey is worthy of a whole book itself. He is actually searching for a partner to write a biography. I encourage those reading this and wanting to connect with him to please reach out and we can get that project rolling.

I also love the story of Joe Jacoby. A three-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro-Bowler, Joe came back to finish his Unfinished Business in his 50s. He had a nagging feeling that he needed to finish the degree for no other reason other than to prove to himself that he could get it done. He had all of the accomplishments in the world but he left UofL to pursue his dreams in the NFL and didn’t finalize his last bit of course work. He enrolled in the Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) program at UofL and was able to make direct connections from the course content to his businesses and his coaching efforts. It was a perfect match and we are grateful that he and Phillip are graduates of our program.

You have been leading the UofL initiative to get these students to come back and finish their degree. Is this a national trend? Are more universities making similar outreach efforts?
MB: We recently started a university-wide Comeback Cards initiative facilitated under the leadership of Dr. Gale Rhodes and Dr. Beth Willey. Through our Institutional Research Office, we identified students that were a couple classes away from the finish line and reached out to recruit them back to complete their remaining requirements. With the support of the Provost’s office, we have been able to recruit, enroll, and graduate 50 students that have graduated in 2019. These people had been separated from the university for a wide array of reasons, but we were able to offer small scholarships to re-engage and get them to graduation. It has been a labor-intensive process that involves a large number of offices across campus, but it has been worth all of the effort to get 50 people to the finish line within six to eight months of rolling out the Comeback Cards initiative.

This is definitely a national trend. Colleges and Universities across the country are going into their student databases to find these individuals that haven’t finished and are facilitating innovative programs to get these people to and through their final requirements. Places like University of Memphis, Wayne State University, and the University of South Carolina have been models that we have used to put our initiative together. This is not a “give-away” type of program. These students are hungry to finish their degrees so their level of commitment is high when they re-enroll. We just have to find them, help them get started, and then get out of the way.

What would you say to someone who is reading this interview and is on the fence about coming back to finish their degree?
MB: There is no perfect time to come back. So, that means the time is now. There will always be competing responsibilities pulling you away from the goal of finishing your degree. However, UofL now has services and programs that are tailored to the needs of working adults. Whether you want online, evening, or a mix of the two, you can find a way to carve out enough space in life to get your degree completed. We are done saying “we will give you another chance” and instead, we are saying, “please give us another chance” as an institution. We have changed policy and practice to create a flexible and convenient path to your degree. Give us another shot and we will help you fulfill your long-held dream of completing your degree.

What unique benefits do you feel like online learning offers adult students who want to complete their degrees? Do many of your students choose this option?
MB: There is no doubt that the flexibility of online learning is the key to many students’ success. The “life load” that people are carrying is an important consideration as people return. Online makes it possible to balance that “life load” with a sprinkling of relevant, rigorous, and research-based content that will make your life better if you engage with it. I hear every day how the content in OLL is changing people’s lives for the better. They feel more empowered, more confident, and more prepared to move forward in their careers because of the exposure to our curriculum. It is a wonderful situation that drives me every day to find and connect people to UofL.

If you’re ready to take the leap and finish what YOU started, find out more about the B.S. OLL program at UofL or all of UofL’s online programs. Our faculty and staff are ready to provide the guidance and support that adult professionals returning to school need, from start to finish.


Purchase a copy of Dr. Bergman’s book Unfinished Business.
Author: Matt Bergman, Ph.D., Program Director/Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership, Evaluation, & Org. Development, College of Education & Human Development, University of Louisville, 502-852-7753,
matt.bergman@louisville.edu.

Interview conducted by Caitlin Horsley, Online Learning marketing coordinator