For over a century and a half, Hiwassee College has crafted its reputation on its ability to offer students a great beginning to both their higher education and lifelong objectives. This is why the institution has diligently worked to provide high quality, faith-based instruction to young adults who may otherwise not have the opportunity to further their education. Hiwassee’s latest project, the launch of a virtual campus, has enabled the college to make the same enriching offer to a wider audience of nontraditional students and adult learners.
Located in Madisonville, Tenn., Hiwassee is a private, two-year residential college that maintains an approximate enrollment count of 450 students. Unlike many two-year institutions, the majority of its graduates choose to attend and complete a four-year degree program at another institution. For that reason, this small college is proud to say its enriching education has been fulfilling big dreams since its inception in 1849.
Many of Hiwassee’s students are the first in their families to attend college. Eighty-eight percent come from Appalachia, with 80 percent receiving some financial aid and 40 percent receiving full financial assistance. This is made possible through generous donations from alumni and a supportive community that recognizes the importance of students from all socio-economic backgrounds furthering their education and becoming successful contributing members of society.
“Dedicated to Great Beginnings” is Hiwassee’s motto, but these words are more than just a slogan; they are a way of life for those who teach at and attend the college. Hiwassee offers students a holistic approach to learning and is committed to quality, student-centered teaching. The student to faculty ratio at Hiwassee is a remarkable 13.5 to one.
“My son, Brandon, was a student at Hiwassee,” says Corrina Ashe of Jenkins Realty in Tellico Plains. “He was there studying to become a pharmacist and was concerned about his chemistry classes. Due to the small size of his classes, the professors at the college were able to give Brandon the one-on-one attention he needed. When he graduated from Hiwassee, he was ready for that next step in his education.”
Hiwassee is quite proud of the individual attention it can provide students. “It is not unusual to see a Hiwassee student stopping by the office of our president, James Noseworthy,” notes Mark Elam, vice president of institutional advancement, “and later to see the two of them hunched over a computer searching for information together. That kind of familiarity is unheard of at most colleges.”
It is precisely this personal attention that Hiwassee wants to bring to the launch of its new, virtual campus. Initiating its online efforts in Fall 2007, Hiwassee has spent the last few months diligently working alongside its online education partner, The Learning House, Inc., to build a customized, fully-interactive online campus, which will launch in Fall 2008.
Learning House, a comprehensive online education solutions provider located in Louisville, Ky., has provided support and assistance along each step of the college’s online development process. In fact, it is this expert guidance and personal attention that make the parties an excellent match. Learning House welcomes clients of all sizes, locations and religious affiliations; however, it has a unique knack for helping small colleges and universities offer and manage their online degree programs. For many small colleges and universities, distance education — particularly the launch of an entire virtual campus — can cause quite a bit of intimidation and disorientation. Learning House, in turn, makes it its mission to provide all of the resources necessary in order to ensure a college’s success in providing online education and staying on the path of excellence and growth.
As the fall semester approaches, Hiwassee is expected to launch its online campus, which includes online courses and two online degree programs. Online programs in criminal justice and business entrepreneurship are scheduled to begin in the upcoming fall term. Students who complete one of these online programs will be eligible to earn an Associate of Applied Science.
Hiwassee is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.
Written and submitted by Kate Clabough