FHU Unveils New Pioneer Program with Riverside Christian Academy

Partnership with RCA to offer educators professional and academic development and dual enrollment for students.

HENDERSON, Tenn., Sep. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Freed-Hardeman University is beginning a new partnership with Riverside Christian Academy in Fayetteville, Tenn., for not only dual enrollment classes for its students but also graduate program opportunities for its faculty and staff.

FHU's Pioneer Program seeks to create a deeper partnership with RCA to help members of its community grow professionally and academically through various professional development programs and earning post-graduate degrees that will take about two years to complete, based on their chosen degree.

"We connected with Riverside about a year ago having discussions about dual enrollment opportunities for its students, and that conversation grew into the program we're initiating with them this fall," said Jared Gott, the director of emerging and innovative programs at FHU.

Riverside's addition to FHU's dual enrollment program increases the number of high schools the University is partnering with to 11, but this is the first agreement that includes the Pioneer Program. While there's no official estimate on how many faculty members will enroll in the first year of the program, about 20 RCA students are enrolled in dual enrollment classes. There are about 500 students enrolled in dual enrollment classes among the 11 schools, according to Gott.

While dual enrollment classes are taught on-site, graduate courses will be taught online.
"Other local partners like Chester County and Jackson Christian have had faculty and staff come on campus for graduate program classes, but that was an opportunity available to them because of their proximity to our campus," Gott said. "This is the first time Freed-Hardeman University has had an official agreement with a school for something like this, so this is exciting for us to see where it can lead and how we can help the people at Riverside with the resources we have available here."

A third portion of the program is the opportunity for professional development at the Bobbie Solley Center on FHU's campus.

Gott said the scheduled presentations at the Bobbie Solley Center of Excellence in Teaching will be available for those who are part of the Pioneer Program to add to their professional development to further fortify the skillsets of those on RCA's campus.

"This innovative partnership brings the best of both worlds together for the benefit of Riverside students," said RCA President, Dr. Laws Rushing. "The program includes a robust dual enrollment program, advanced opportunities for teacher training and evidence-based research for the improvement of school business and education practices."

Gott will be a part of a contingent of FHU leadership including President David R. Shannon who visited Riverside's campus Sept. 9 to officially commemorate the partnership between the institutions.

The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor's, master's, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.

Media Contact

Dawn Bramblett, Freed-Hardeman University, 731-608-7650, [email protected]

SOURCE Freed-Hardeman University