NKU, Gateway and Thomas More on how they’re moving forward
Three Northern Kentucky universities discuss how they’re operating in the fall semester.
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University plans to offer a mixture of in-person and online courses for the fall 2021 semester.
“One of the most valuable lessons is adapting to meet each student where they are. Our fall courses will include various modes of delivery – in-person, hybrid and online – to provide greater flexibility and options for diverse learners,” President Ashish Vaidya wrote in a press release.
Vaidya said NKU will used what they’ve learned about students’ changing needs and expectations to create a responsive and supportive experience for them.
More details are expected to be released over the summer.
Thomas More University
Thomas More University expects full operations and a complete residential and athletic experience for the fall 2021 semester, according to President Joseph Chillo.
“While we expect many of our community members to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester, we will continue to be cautious in our planning. We continue to review the latest CDC guidelines and we are working with our local health officials to ensure that we are taking all necessary precautions,” Chilo wrote in a press release.
The fall semester for Thomas More will begin on August 16. The academic calendar for the 2021-22 school year will include a fall mid-term break, Thanksgiving holiday, spring break and an Easter recess. The fall 20201 semester will include more options for students wanting to take courses in person, as well as for students who prefer online or a hybrid version. Thomas More is also planning on reopening the residence and dining halls, athletic facilities, areas of worship and on-campus student resources.
Gateway Community & Technical College
Gateway plans to offer more in-person classes in the fall—in addition to keeping a variety of class formats so students have flexibility to balance their home life, school and work. Students will be able to select the class modes they feel are best for them, Director of Public Relations Patrick Lamping says.
Gateway will keep students, staff and faculty safe by continuing to follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations from Governor Beshear and the Council on Postsecondary education, including the recommendations on facial coverings.
For the 2021-22 academic year, Lamping says Gateway is most excited about welcoming students into the new Paralegal program, Gateway’s first paramedic-to-registered nurse program and the launch of the Apprenticeship Academy—a two-year program that provides opportunity for students interested in exploring a registered apprenticeship program in a technical field.
The Paralegal program allows students to prepare for employment as a paralegal in courts, corporations, law firms and government agencies, Lamping says.
Lamping says the paramedic-to-registered nurse program is the first of its kind in the region.
“The new program creates a direct path for paramedics who want to transition into a nursing career,” Lamping says. “Completion of the program at Gateway will help paramedics become flight medics, emergency room nurses and will open management opportunities.”
