OU Online Fall Newsletter

OU Online Fall Newsletter, 2023

Gregg Garn, VP of Online Learning in a suit and tie smiling

Updates from Gregg Garn,
VP of Online Learning

I am excited to announce that we have recently signed a contract with TELUS Health, a leading virtual mental health and well-being service provider. This partnership means that our students will soon have the convenience of scheduling virtual appointments with counselors, further enhancing the support available to them.

Additionally, students have been using our new virtual tutoring services through Tutor.com for about a month. This resource has been a valuable addition to our support offerings, providing students with additional tools and assistance in their academic journey. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to enhance the online experience for our students.

Online Tutoring Now Available to Students

OU Online has partnered with Tutor.com to provide a new robust online tutoring service and writing center for online students. Services include:

On-demand access to live tutors 24/7 in a wide array of subjects, including math, business, computer science and technology, English and writing, marketing and communication, and more
The ability for students to schedule future appointments with specific tutors
24/7 live support through the online writing center, with quick turnaround times for feedback (averaging under six hours)
Features like screen sharing, chat, voice and video communication within tutoring sessions
Mobile app access so students can connect with tutors on any device
State-of-the-art online classroom environment

We are confident Tutor.com will be a valuable resource for online students, providing academic support and flexibility regardless of when or where you need help. Log in through your Canvas account to access subject matter experts on demand, receive tailored assistance and develop skills crucial for academic success.

To access Tutor.com, follow these steps:

Log onto Canvas.ou.edu
Click on your OU Online Orientation Course (specific to your program)
“Tutor.com: 24/7 Online Tutoring” will be listed as a resource on the left-hand navigation
Click “Tutor.com: 24/7 Online Tutoring,” and you can start scheduling tutoring sessions

Visit the Student Resources page on the OU Online website for more information about additional support services offered for OU Online students.

Online Mental Health Counseling Services
to Launch in November

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with TELUS Health. Expected to launch on November 1, OU Online students can access 24/7/365 mental health counseling and support through the TELUS Health app. This service will provide:

On-demand counseling anytime you need it, day or night
Scheduled counseling sessions with a licensed therapist or counselor
After-hours crisis support for urgent situations
A self-help library with resources to support your mental health journey

The counseling is completely uncapped, meaning there are no limits on the number or length of sessions you can have as long as the support remains short-term, focused on achievable goals, and clinically appropriate.

New Affinity Group Launched for Students 55+

We are excited to announce the launch of a new affinity group for OU Online students ages 55+. This group will provide peer support and resources to students who are 55 years of age or older. If you are at least 55, consider joining and leading the group. To sign up, fill out this form. For questions, contact Sage Mauldin, student support services coordinator, at sagemauldin@ou.edu.

Check out the Online Student Community page on the OU Online website for more information about affinity groups.

Faculty Spotlight

Professor Carla Holmes, APR

Carla Holmes, an accomplished public relations expert, has been a driving force at OU's Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2021, serving as a professor of practice and the associate director of the Online Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy program. Her pivotal role encompasses course development and management, making her valuable to students and faculty. With extensive corporate and agency experience, she enriches classes with practical insights, elevating the students' educational experience.

Her accolades include the 2022 Owen Kulemeka Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from Gaylord College and being nominated for the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence by the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence in 2023.

a portrait of a woman wearing a plaid shirt and smiling

Staff Spotlight

Hannah Rieger

Director of Student Support Services

As director of student support services, I've spent my two years with OU Online ensuring online students have the necessary resources to thrive in their academic programs. My favorite memory is hosting graduation events and seeing online students come to Norman and celebrate this milestone with friends and family. A fun fact – I'm an online student, too!

Student Spotlight

Kayla “KM” Richards

Kayla “KM” Richards is an Oklahoma native seeking dual master’s degrees in Museum Studies and Library and Information Studies with an archives certificate. She sits on the museum studies committee and is the OU Online affinity group leader for student-parents. A proud mother of two and passionate about nonprofit work, she is a Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art docent. She plans to graduate in 2025 and hopes to use her degrees and experience to specialize in art historical curatorial research.

Virtual Speaker Series

In March 2023, OU Online launched a triannual virtual speaker series to build community, engagement and networking opportunities for our online students. Our most recent event featured Marcy Melanson from Tutor.com. Melanson shared how to utilize Tutor.com, from making appointments to dropping off essays to be proofread and edited. Watch the video (above) to learn more. Our next speaker series will be held in the spring and will focus on mental health counseling.

New Programs to Launch in 2024

OU Online is excited to launch two new graduate programs. The Master of Science in Engineering Leadership & Management and Master of Science in Sustainable Architecture will begin in Spring 2024. Applications are now open for these programs.

Additionally, OU is pleased to share that its first doctoral program, Education Administration (EdD), will launch in Summer 2024. The EdD program will offer two tracks, K-12 and Higher Education.

If you have questions about these programs or would like more information, please email online@ou.edu.

Thank You, Campus Partners!

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional campus partners, including the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Student Life, Graduate Student Life, Accessibility and Disability Resource Center, Office of Academic Integrity, Veteran Student Services, the Writing Center, the Career Center, OU Alumni, the Gender and Equality Center, International Programming, and the TRIO Center. Their invaluable collaboration enables us to offer the essential academic and professional support our online students require for success. As we often emphasize, it truly takes a collective effort to support our online student community.