The Division of Continuing Studies recently received three national awards for excellence in its online education programs from the Sloan Consortium – an association of more than 1,000 institutions and organizations of higher education engaged in online learning. 

“This recognition is one of the highest honors we could receive,” says Jacqueline Moloney, dean of Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, who launched UMass Lowell’s online program 10 years ago. “It’s tremendously rewarding to have our faculty, staff and administration be nationally recognized as leaders in this field.”

The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) has recognized the Division for:  “Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Teaching and Learning Programming,” “Excellence in Faculty Development for Online Teaching,” and “Excellence in Online Teaching,” which was awarded to Assoc. Prof. Joan Cannon of Psychology. 

“The Institution-Wide award speaks to the high quality of the online programs at UMass Lowell,” says Chancellor William T. Hogan. “We’re very proud of the accomplishments of all of the administrators and faculty involved.” 

UMass Lowell’s programs are offered through the UMassOnline system initiative headed by CEO David Gray who says, “UMassOnline proudly acknowledges the contributions of UMass Lowell to the greater whole and its work in developing its own programs and those of the whole system.”

The purpose of  the Sloan-C is to help learning organizations continually improve quality, scale, and breadth of their offerings according to their own distinctive missions, so that education will become a part of everyday life. Created with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Sloan-C encourages the sharing of knowledge and of effective practices. 

“Quality online education continues to show vigor and strength,” says Frank Mayadas, President of Sloan-C. “The individuals and institutions honored this year are, as before, exceptional, and we honor them for demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing online education along these dimensions."