The Third Annual Academic Partners Summit on March 28–29 was a significant milestone for the five-year-old program. The summit was envisioned and executed by Aimee Robertson, Executive Director of Academic Partnerships, and Bill Tibbetts, MBA, Dean of the College of Business & Technology and Digital Education. The pair designed the experience for site directors to help them learn from one another, identify areas where they could collaborate, and provide essential skills to do their jobs more effectively.
“One of the unique roles of a site director is that they’re not only leading students through their academic career,” Robertson said, “but also serving as a recruiter for the program. They guide students through admissions and all the way through to the point of graduation.” However, Robertson pointed out that each site director wears multiple hats at their church, and she frequently receives feedback that they want more support in marketing and sales.
At the summit, Tibbetts brought his extensive experience in marketing and business to the table through a hands-on marketing training session. “It was a wild success,” Robertson said. “The site directors left with confidence, knowing exactly what they needed to do.”
Robertson plays a vital role in the program as she works with the site directors who run the program at their local churches. She streamlines the communication between the site directors and the university and ensures that they have the tools they need to run the program effectively.
Power of connection
Kent Wells, Site Director for NCU with Lakeview in Indianapolis, Indiana, said the annual summit is a valuable experience. “The Summit is ‘the’ event I look forward to each year,” Wells said. “It helps me to realize that I am a part of a group of individuals who really care about the value of education for our future leaders. Interacting with the site directors lets me see/feel what the Holy Spirit is doing across the country. In addition, I can glean best practices to use at my location.”
Another Indiana Site Director, Sherry Ellis, of Life Church in Noblesville, Indiana, appreciated the support from NCU staff and other directors. “I loved being on the campus of NCU,,” she said. “The staff, faculty, and students are all so welcoming and uplifting. NCU support, encouragement, and guidance is phenomenal. The Summit was an experience full of socializing with peers, learning from leaders, attending chapel, and leaving with fresh ideas and inspiration!”
Site Director Bruce Riddle is a committed advocate for the Academic Partners program—he drove from Nebraska to Minnesota with students from The Academy at Christ Place (Lincoln) last fall to help their students create stronger connections with their university. Riddle said, “The ongoing connection with NCU is vital for me! It’s the reason I chose NCU over another online program!”
Riddle said this year’s summit provided a powerful time of connection. “I feel incredibly honored to be a part of the leaders of NCU’s Academic Partners program,” Riddle said. “It feels more like a community than a program that are all focused on helping to equip our students with the best education we can.
I’m so grateful to be associated with this stellar group!”
A good fit for different reasons
The Academic Partners program aims to offer Christian higher ed to people who cannot access traditional education for various reasons. Robertson said traditional college-aged students might participate in the program instead of the residential campus experience because of financial constraints or family dynamics, or they may simply desire to maintain strong ties with their home church and community.
Academic Partnerships allow students to access accredited Christian education through their church and participate in the practicum portion, which is an internship-style program through which they serve the church. They not only get an education but also pour back into their church.
Another group that benefits from the program includes non-traditional students, such as single parents or career professionals who need the flexibility of online education Robertson noted that the program is affordably priced, offered through their church, which they trust, and it offers them a chance to pursue their education without disrupting their work or family life.
A third group attracted to the program includes church staff members who may be newer Christians or individuals who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith. They receive education from a Christian perspective while they build connections with their local church.
Aggressive growth trajectory
Since its beginning in 2018, the Academic Partners program has grown to now include an associate’s degree, eight bachelor’s degrees, and two master’s degrees. There are currently 19 Academic Partner sites across the U.S. Robertson said she expects the program to continue on an aggressive growth trajectory in the next few years. “We are talking to more than 20 churches right now, exploring if this is a fit for their goals and what we offer.”
The Academic Partners program enhances relationships and creates partnerships between the university and churches nationwide, while providing students with a North Central education in a unique, local church setting.