Alabama State University is expanding its reach with the launch of its Global Campus Initiative, a bold effort to bring HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) experience to students wherever they are.
With the initiative designed to foster a strong sense of community, it ensures that online learners receive the same academic support, resources and engagement opportunities as those who attend classes in person.
“The thing about COVID, and I would like to take this back to COVID, because I think it is so important to put it all in context, is it really highlighted the obstacle of limited capacity with regard to online education,” Patrice W. Glenn Jones, Ph.D., executive director of online education and programs, said. “As a university, we looked at the obstacle that COVID presented and saw it as an opportunity for us to move past just having our footprint with regard to traditional education and really leverage effective, engaging online virtual education.”
Jones explained that the initiative is about more than just academics.
“For students who are online, a lot of times, they are just getting the classes. They are not engaged with activities,” she said. “So, Global Campus is different in that our goal is to create a virtual student experience, specifically a virtual HBCU, where Alabama State University students experience in the virtual space.”
The initiative aligns with the university’s mission of globalization.
“Often, when people hear the word globalization, they think of complete international experiences. But in this digital age, globalization is not just international, it is domestic, too,” Jones said. “If one person is located in California, another person is in New York, another person is in Florida, and another in Alabama, we are connecting them digitally.”
Jones emphasized that Global Campus is about more than just coursework.
“The courses are constantly under review and constantly being improved,” she said. “But in particular, Global Campus is really about the other experiences. It is about making sure that students enrolled in online programs have virtual student activities.” Students will also have designated support staff in departments such as financial aid and academic advising to ensure they have the same resources as on-campus students.
The initiative also aims to prepare students for remote work.
“Between 27 and 30% of the U.S. population works remotely full-time. By 2030, that number is expected to go up by 25%,” Jones said. “It is important that we equip our students with remote work skills, knowing how to use their time effectively, knowing how to self-manage, and be their own boss before they have someone giving them oversight.”
The university currently offers approximately 16 online degree programs, with expansion plans.
“Presently, we have the undergraduate degree, a bachelor of science in psychology. We also have an accelerated criminal justice degree, which is for students who have at least 45 credits coming into the university or experience in the field,” Jones said. The university also offers graduate programs, including a master’s in psychology with a specialized focus, a master’s in applied technology, and a doctorate in educational leadership, policy and law.
To integrate the HBCU experience into the virtual learning environment, the university is developing virtual student organizations and activities.
“Right now, we have an honor society that is exclusive for online students, and Alabama State University has a chapter,” Jones said. “We are also looking into ways to livestream more events, provide virtual internships and offer virtual counseling services.”
Jones believes the initiative will have a long-term impact on the university’s growth and ability to reach students nationwide.
“It is not about numbers so much the way I look at it. It is certainly about the student experience. But when students have good experiences, they tell other people,” she said. “Not only do we expect the number of students who are enrolled in online programs to grow, but we also expect the diversity of online students to grow.”