Thursday 8/6/2026 | 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Rockford University’s RU Online initiative represents a comprehensive institutional transformation from a decentralized, fragmented model to a strategically aligned, quality-assured, and student-centered online ecosystem. This session explores how a small private university operationalized large-scale change by aligning governance structures, instructional design standards, faculty development, instructional leadership, and student experience with institutional strategic priorities. Drawing on the implementation of a unified course design framework, structured faculty expectations, and a continuous improvement model grounded in assessment and quality benchmarking, this presentation highlights how leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and data-informed decision-making enabled sustainable transformation. Participants will gain practical insights into leading organizational change in resource-constrained environments, including strategies for building faculty buy-in, ensuring fidelity of implementation, and aligning online learning initiatives with broader institutional goals such as enrollment growth, retention, and academic quality.

Session Type: Education Session (45 min)

Location: Zoom Room 4

Lead Presenter: Dr. Kelly Monson | RU Online Director, Associate Professor of Education & Director of Graduate Studies, Rockford University

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