The University of Lynchburg campus. Photo by Lisa Rowan.
By: Ellie Simmers | Editor-in-Chief
As universities nationwide adapt to the digital age, the University of Lynchburg is expanding its online and hybrid course offerings and launching a new technology initiative to better meet students’ evolving needs.
“We currently offer several undergraduate online options during winter and summer terms, with entire graduate programs available online,” said Chip Walton, Interim Chief Academic Officer & VP of Academic and Strategic Operations, explaining that a limited number of undergraduate classes are moving online during the regular academic year, alongside additional course-sharing options.
While the university remains committed to in-person learning, Walton acknowledged the growing demand for flexibility in higher education. “Some students like having an online class alongside their in-person classes because of the flexibility it offers them. It may benefit students who work, have family obligations, play a sport, or are involved in other extracurricular activities.”
Some students, however, are already taking online courses at the University of Lynchburg, as a handful of asynchronous courses have been offered throughout the year.
For junior biology student Zoe Elliott, the flexibility that online courses offered has allowed her to “balance out my time more, and have more time to study.” However, Elliott said that the face-to-face interactions in traditional classes cannot be replicated online. “I feel like I retain more information through in-person class since hearing it from a different point of view makes it easier to understand the topic.”
Senior chemistry student Parker Lynch echoed the importance of flexibility. “Online courses allow students to fulfill graduation requirements without the added stress of attending in-person classes,” Lynch said. Still, she noted that online classes can feel less engaging, as “in-person classes often offer more interaction, discussion, and immediate feedback from professors.”
Both students thoroughly emphasized the self-discipline and motivation required for online learning. Elliott expressed feeling less engaged without people to talk to, while Lynch credited her structured schedule with helping her stay organized.
To support the shift to online learning and ensure all students have the necessary tools, the University of Lynchburg plans to introduce a technology fee in the upcoming fall, which would cover a new MacBook Air and AppleCare for each freshman student for their four-year tenure at the university.
Charley Butcher, Chief Educational Technology and AI Officer, explained that this new program would “ensure that every student has access to premium hardware without the burden of a significant upfront expense,” with students retaining full ownership of their device after graduation.
Standardizing hardware across campus would improve network speed and security, according to Butcher, by reducing the challenges posed by the university’s current Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model.
Although Lynchburg remains a “Google School,” Butcher explained that the university chose Macbook Air over Chromebooks to “support the advanced software needs of diverse academic programs,” noting that upperclassmen may opt into the program with an adjusted technology fee reflecting their remaining semesters.
Ensuring academic quality between in-person and online courses is a top priority, as Walton described the university’s multi-layered approach: “School Deans oversee program quality, and our Teaching and Learning Resources Committee vets new online classes. Instructional designers and our Chief Educational Technology and AI Officer provide ongoing support to faculty transitioning to online teaching.”
As Lynchburg expands its online offerings, the university remains committed to high academic standards and supporting student success.
“Faculty development will highlight different means of assessment for online courses, including strategies suited for the AI era,” said Walton. One example, according to Walton, is that instructors may grade the entire assignment process rather than just the final product.
Additionally, the university has formed an Online Task Force charged with developing policies to regulate online instruction, including guidelines on the number of online classes students may take each semester and how online learning fits within faculty workloads.
Looking ahead, the university’s goal is to equip students with the versatility needed in a rapidly changing world. “Students will need to pivot seamlessly between in-person and online learning,” Walton said. “We are not abandoning our identity as a residential institution, but it’s vital to provide opportunities for students to develop skills across different learning modalities to ensure their success.”
By blending flexibility, technology, and academic excellence, the University of Lynchburg focuses on cultivating a learning environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
For more information, visit: https://www.lynchburg.edu/about/information-technology-and-resources
