A New Campus Connection

Written by Adrienne Nobles

Some of the University of Central Oklahoma’s newest students may never set foot on campus. In May, the university launched a pilot for online degrees through the UCO Connected Campus. The pilot included two Bachelor of Business Administration degrees – Human Resource Management and Marketing.

“We are learning a lot from the pilot effort that will help us improve our online offerings as we work to grow the Connected Campus in the coming years,” said Bucky Dodd, Ph.D., UCO’s chief learning innovation officer and coordinator of the Connected Campus project.

Students have been able to take online classes at Central for some time, but it is only recently that the university has focused on taking degree programs fully online.

Offerings are expanding for the next academic year to include the Professional Master of Business Administration and Master of Education in Library and Media Studies or Adult and Higher Education. Also coming fully online are bachelor’s degrees in Organizational Leadership, General Business and General Studies. These bachelor’s options are particularly ideal for adults who have previously earned college credit and want to complete their degree.

“Each program offers great potential for career growth and employment in the Oklahoma City metro and beyond. Our goal is to offer programs that prepare our graduates to meet the needs of their communities,” Dodd continued.

“The UCO Connected Campus pairs the flexibility and convenience of an online degree with the recognized quality and affordability of the University of Central Oklahoma. Now, the Central experience is accessible to those who may not be able to fit a traditional, oncampus program in their schedule.”

UCO Connected Campus students are assisted by a learner concierge who guides them through the admissions and enrollment process and will be available for questions as they pursue their degree. The concierges help ensure that students pursuing degrees online still receive a personal experience at Central.

To learn more about the UCO Connected Campus, visit online.uco.edu.

ABOVE Returning students, faculty and staff line the campus mall to cheer on incoming freshmen during the annual Freshman Convocation. Prior to the convocation ceremony, first-year students walk from Old North to Nigh University Center. During their walk, members of the Central community share their support and school spirit with cheers, smiles and even a few high fives.

RiGHT Family members help students carry boxes and belongings into one of Central’s residence halls during MoveIn Day, part of a week of activities focused on welcoming students to campus.

BOTTOM Students gather in the parking lot between Central’s Liberal Arts and Business buildings for a “drive-in” movie. The feature presentation of “Space Jam” allowed students to get together, meet new people and reconnect with old friends as the fall semester kicked off.