Siena Heights University’s Online Program Has One of the Top Faculty Training Programs in the Country

By Doug Goodnough—Special to the Daily Telegram

As education makes a rapid shift to more remote and online learning options during the coronavirus pandemic, Siena Heights University made the move to online instruction in 2004, and has been a pioneer in higher education distance learning.

In fact, Siena Heights has developed one of the top online faculty training programs in the country, according to the U.S. News and World Report. The prominent magazine ranked SHU’s online faculty training program first in the nation last year, and is third in the nation in the current rankings. SHU’s online bachelor’s degree program has also been nationally ranked by the U.S. News and World Report for seven consecutive years, including being the top-rated program in Michigan for the past four years.

So, just how do you train teachers to teach online? It’s like a “1,000-piece puzzle,” according to those who oversee SHU’s Online Program.

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Program Receives 7-Year Accreditation from CAEP

By Doug Goodnough—Special to the Daily Telegram

Siena Heights University’s Education program recently passed a very important test when it received full seven-year accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The Education program has been at the institution since its founding more than 100 years ago. However, the program must undergo a “continuous improvement cycle,” according to SHU Division of Education Chair and Associate Professor of Education Carrie Mitchell.

“We were thrilled with the outcome,” she said of the CAEP accreditation. “It is an honor to receive this status and meet such high level of standards. This was truly a team effort. The amount of work each Education faculty member and our part-time administrative assistant must do is on top of everything else we do. Accreditation creates a tremendous workload for all of us.”

In fact, the CAEP accreditation process consists of a series of reports, a self-study and a site visit from CAEP representatives.

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Adrian Campus Students Adjust to Remote Learning Environment

By Doug Goodnough

It was supposed to be the last week of in-person classes at Siena Heights University’s Adrian campus before final exams signaled the end of the winter semester and academic year.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new reality. When campus was closed March 24 due to state and national social distancing guidelines, learning continued in a remote environment. Siena Heights has adapted – with help from its nationally ranked online program – to accommodate Adrian campus students, faculty and staff who had a steep learning curve to catch up to their online faculty and student counterparts.

And with many traditional end-of-the-year events like honors convocation, the week-long Halo Fest student festival, awards ceremonies and even commencement exercises canceled, postponed or moved online, it has left a void for some students.

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