Your Extraordinary LIFE 2020 | Page 47

ADAPTING TOGETHER

Closing Thoughts

From Dr . Tim Gross , Vice President for Academic Affairs , and Dr . Rob Scott , Life University President able to complete their program in a manner that is convenient for them without giving up any academic rigor . The online students have access to the same curriculum as the [ on campus ] students do , but it ’ s delivered in a way that they can be a full-time working adult and still be a student and complete their degree .”
That flexibility is also a benefit when it comes to hiring top-notch instructors , no matter where they are based .
“ We ’ ve got a faculty pool of world-class faculty ,” Dr . Belcastro continued . “ We ’ re not limited by geographical constraints in the faculty that we hire . We have a pool of adjunct faculty who are quite accomplished in their individual fields . And we also have several faculty members on campus who teach online courses , so we ’ ve got a really good balance of faculty who are familiar with Life University and have been integrating the vitalistic philosophy , and can bring that to our online students as well .”
Two new additions to the College of Online Education in 2020 are instructional specialist Sabrina Armster and instructional designer Dr . Rochelle Rothman . Armster is responsible for student and faculty support , according to Dr . Belcastro , while Dr . Rothman is dedicated to designing online courses .
LIFE ’ s online students and faculty continue to give the University high marks , according to Dr . Belcastro .
“ The feedback is all very positive ,” he said . “ Our Master ’ s in Positive Psychology started a new , large class this fall . Once it came under the College of Online Education , we ’ ve consistently added to it . The master ’ s students are in a nationally recognized program that is only offered online , giving them an opportunity they aren ’ t going to get anywhere else . Although they ’ re learning at a distance , the on-campus residencies give them an opportunity to see the physical campus and meet the members of their cohort .”
Let Lasting Purpose Be Our Guide While during recent months the portrait of how our campus operates looks and feels a bit different , Life University ’ s commitment to the health , safety and well-being of our community members has remained at the forefront of the decision-making process and continues to be unwavering .
The passion our faculty and staff have for empowering students through education continues to be reflected in their resilience in the face of these challenging times and their never-ending ability to adapt to an ongoing , unpredictable and fluid educational and operational environment .
It is during these demanding times that we ask for members of our community to practice compassion and civility toward one another . Life University ’ s guiding principle of Lasting Purpose calls us to give , to do , to love , to serve , out of your own abundance . There is no more appropriate time than today to demonstrate these generous qualities to those in need around you .
Tim Gross , M . S ., D . C . Vice President for Academic Affairs , Life University
Creating a Better Normal LIFE ’ s role in the community , and on a larger scale , in the world , is perhaps more important now than it has ever been . With the world starting to emerge from their homes amidst the global pandemic still causing doubts and fears around the globe , LIFE is uniquely positioned through our mission and values , as well as our faculty and alumni expertise , to impact the conversation on how citizens can improve their health .
The new normal cannot simply be a conversation about hygiene , masking , physical distancing and vaccination . It also should not be a conversation about returning to normal because , frankly , Americans are the sickest population on the planet . It must be a conversation about encouraging , supporting and striving for people to be better than before . The LIFE community has lifechanging and life-saving information and expertise for the public , and we must not take the responsibility we have to share that information lightly . In fact , this is why we are Life University . In a time like this , our message needs to be heard . Let ’ s get to work !
Rob Scott , D . C ., Ph . D . President , Life University