Collierville Chamber of Commerce Hosts Monthly Members Meeting
Dr. Richard Irwin of UofM Global Offers a Glimpse into expanding online learning programs
Dr. Richard Irwin, Executive Dean, Global & Academic Innovation (UofM Global) at the University of Memphis, introduced the university’s innovative global learning opportunities to Collierville Chamber of Commerce members and guests at the organization’s monthly membership luncheon, held at the Ridgeway Country Club on Wednesday, November 13.
Disregarding frigid temperatures, the crowd filled the room to hear Irwin’s presentation and to participate in the monthly networking and educational opportunity. Collierville Chamber President and CEO Mark Heuberger took a few minutes prior to the guest speaker to stroll the packed room, spotlighting several new and veteran Chamber members. Glynis Stits of Your CBD Store in Collierville commented on the many benefits she has already received as a recent addition to the Chamber, “My experience with the Chamber has been great. The Chamber has been so supportive, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many people.” Abigail Warren of the Daily Memphian represented the digital newspaper’s commitment to the Chamber, and John Green of John Green Realtors of Collierville was recognized for his company’s thirty-plus years of membership.
The day’s speaker, Dr.Richard Irwin, provided the crowd an extensive overview of UofM Global, a multi-layered, online university degree program offered by the University of Memphis. The program reaches across 39 states to provide both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Irwin had ready statistics reflecting the growth and success of the program: It’s the top online program in Tennessee; it is ranked nationally at number 58 (with Dr. Irwin’s hope to see it break the top 50 within the year), and UofM Global includes 40 nationally-ranked programs. He added that online courses represented 28% of all credits completed in 2019 and that close to 80% of 2019 graduates will have taken at least one on-line class during their course of study.
Other aspects of UofM Global include the “Finish Line” program which focuses on adult students with 90 credit hours to their name, who may have had to stop their education prior to graduating. The program uses flexible criteria as it encourages the use of experiential learning, credit by exams, and portfolio of accomplishments to re-gain entrance to college. Irwin also mentioned UofM Global’s teaming up with FedEx to create the “Learning Inspired by FedEx” (LiFE), a program designed to assist FedEx employees to continue their education at the university level.
University of Memphis has been part of the Collierville Community since 1999, now with a campus on Poplar that supports some 500 students.
Heuberger closed 2019’s final membership luncheon with a look ahead to upcoming events and speakers for 2020, including University of Memphis Tigers Head Coach Penny Hardaway and Eric Barnes, CEO of the Daily Memphian.
The Collierville Chamber of Commerce serves its members and its community with a range of networking and educational opportunities. For more information about the Collierville Chamber of Commerce and how it can help you achieve more for your business and personal growth, contact 901-853-1949.
