Month: August 2024

Faculty complete Online Summer Certification Program

Made possible through an NTIA grant, the OLLU Summer Online Program equips faculty with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to enhance their teaching practices and contribute to the university’s academic excellence. Led by OLLU’s Digital Learning Consultant, Laura Petersen, the program offers faculty valuable insights and practical strategies for creating engaging and inclusive online learning experiences.

The following faculty completed the second year of the program:
Jessica Avitia: Peer Review Course and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
James Crawford: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Esther Gergen: ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Jessica Hajek: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Jerrie Jackson: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Sonia Jasso: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Eden Robles: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Janet Hupel: Quality Matters Course, Peer Review Course, and ACUE’s Inclusive Online Teaching Course
Jessica Quintero: Peer Review Course and soon Master Reviewer Certification

As a result of their dedication, the faculty members who completed Peer Reviewer Certification are now part of OLLU’s esteemed Peer Reviewer Community. In fall 2024, they will be applying their expertise to review courses and ensure that they meet the rigorous standards set by the community. This is a crucial step in maintaining the high quality of OLLU online programs and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive in their academic journeys.

Fall semester classes begin Aug. 19

Students who need to complete registration, financial aid or payment arrangements for the fall 2024 semester should do so now as the start of classes is just two weeks away. Traditional semester classes begin Aug. 19 and weekend and online classes begin Aug. 24.

For step-by-step instructions on registration, accepting financial aid and making payment arrangements, visit https://www.ollusa.edu/info-for/current-students.html.

Deadline approaching for staff/administrators benefits open enrollment

Staff and administrators have until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. to start, change or end benefits. No changes will be accepted after the deadline

All eligible employees making changes must enroll online in order to change benefits. Current benefits will carry over. The exception is the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), which require enrollment EACH year.

All full-time employees will be able to complete enrollment through Saints Connect/Employee Self-Service/Benefits.

To access the Benefits Enrollment online:
• Log into Saints Connect
• Click on Employee Self-Service
• Click on Review Current Benefits
• Click on Benefit Enrollment

Please print confirmation as this is your confirmation your enrollment is complete.

Faculty Benefits Fair is scheduled for Aug. 14

The Faculty Benefits Fair will be held Aug. 14 in Main Building, Room 311, 10 a.m-2 p.m.

Annual benefits enrollment provides benefit-eligible employees the opportunity to start, change or end benefits, which become effective Oct. 1, 2024. The exception is medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, which begin Sept. 1, 2024.  

All eligible employees making changes must enroll online in order to change benefits. Current benefits will carry over. The exception is the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA), which require enrollment EACH year.

Faculty enrollment deadline to enroll is Aug. 28, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. 

To access the Benefits Enrollment online:
• Log into Saints Connect
• Click on Employee Self-Service
• Click on Review Current Benefits
• Click on Benefit Enrollment

Please print confirmation as this is your confirmation your enrollment is complete.

OLLU Wins 2023-2024 NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Silver Institution Award

OLLU has been recognized as a Champions of Charactive Silver Level Five-Star Institution by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The prestigious recognition signifies OLLU’s commitment to character-driven athletics and its alignment with the NAIA Core Values

Haley Holzem, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance / Women’s Athletics Administrator and Manager of the NAIA Champions of Character program for OLLU, said, “We are proud to have our university among the five-star institutions this year. Each program at OLLU strives for excellence and always represents the NAIA Core Values. We have an amazing group of student-athletes. We cannot wait to see the servant leadership initiatives they take on this upcoming school year as we partner with multiple local non-profits and better our community.”

The NAIA uses a Champions of Character scorecard to see how well institutions fulfill character-driven athletics. To make the cut, a school must earn 60 points out of a possible 100. A school picks up points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Points are also earned based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the academic year.

The five core values of the Champions of Character initiative are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership to help student-athletes, coaches and parents do the right thing on and off the field. Two hundred and nine member institutions were named Five-Star Award winners.

In addition, the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) was named a Champions of Character Five-Star Conference based on the results of its ten member institutions. To be recognized, a conference must have established a Champions of Character conference committee and conduct an in-competition oversight committee consisting of at least three members. In addition, at least half of the league’s schools must receive the Champions of Character Five-Star Institution award.

All 14 RRAC members earned this distinction: Huston-Tillotson University – Gold, Jarvis Christian University – Silver, Louisiana Christian University – Gold, LSU-Alexandria – Gold, LSU-Shreveport – Silver, North American University – Gold, Paul Quinn College – Silver, Texas A&M University-San Antonio – Gold, Texas A&M University – Texarkana – Silver, Texas College – Bronze, University of Houston-Victoria – Gold, University of the Southwest – Silver, Xavier University of Louisiana – Silver.