Kentucky Virtual University Posts Record Enrollment — Again

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Virtual University, the fastest-growing online university of its kind, posted a record enrollment of 3,014 students for the Spring 2001 term. This is nearly double the 1,578 enrollment from this time last year.

The unofficial Spring 2001 enrollment figures include residents from 119 Kentucky counties, 24 states and four foreign countries. Over five semesters, from Fall 1999 to Spring 2001, the Kentucky Virtual University has served 6,100 Kentuckians from all 120 Kentucky counties and 10 foreign countries.

Dr. Mary Beth Susman, chief executive officer of the virtual university, anticipates that enrollment will continue to grow. “Our students tell us that online learning is great because it is more convenient for them to fit it into their lives,” she said.

Fayette County resident Sandy Adams, a mother of three teenage sons said that online learning worked for her for a number of reasons. “It allows me to be home and available for my sons. Plus, if one campus doesn’t offer the courses I want, I can choose from other campus offerings,” she said.

Michael Shoemaker, a 1996 University of Kentucky graduate and Harlan County native, put off pursuing an MBA because he thought he would have to quit work to go back to school full time. Then he heard about the online MBA program offered by Morehead State University through the virtual university. He enrolled and even though he’s employed in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Shoemaker logs on and goes to class with his peers who are primarily Kentucky residents.

“The funny thing about the online program is that even though there are hundreds of miles between students and faculty, in my case thousands, there is closer interaction between professors and students,” explained Shoemaker.

For 71-year-old Barbara Chorn, a senior at Murray State University, enrolling in Kentucky Virtual University last fall was a “Godsend to individuals like me who don’t drive.”

Chorn readily admits that the online class was the biggest challenge in her academic career because of a lack of computer skills. However, she caught up to speed quick. “Despite the death of my husband in November, I managed toearn an A,” she said. “Much of the credit for that grade goes to Linda Miller, our instructor. Her responses to my many questions were fast and explicit.”

The Kentucky Virtual University was established in 1997 by the Kentucky General Assembly with the passage of the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997. The virtual university includes the Kentucky Virtual Library available free to all Kentuckians at www.kyvl.org or toll-free at 877-588-5288.

Pre-registration for the summer and fall terms will begin online Monday, March 19. To find out if online learning is for you, or for more information on programs and registration, visit the KYVU website at www.kyvu.org or phone the KYVU Call Center toll-free at 1-877-740-4357.