When Kathy Thompson walked into the Upper Cumberland Career Center in Cookeville, she was seeking a new career.

She found much more.

Thompson, 46, discovered a way to finish the college education she had started more than 10 years ago. Due to a family medical crisis, she had to postpone completing her bachelor's degree at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.

With family and job demands mounting, Thompson said she realized she would not be able to return to campus to attend classes.

However, she found a way around her dilemma when she discovered a poster on display at the Upper Cumberland Career Center.

The poster announced two online educational programs developed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) - Regents Online Degree Programs-Campus Collaborative (RODP) and Regents Online Continuing Education and Workforce Development (ROCE).

"I didn't know anything about online education until I saw the poster in the career center," said Thompson.

She soon signed up for online courses and in 2006 expects to be awarded her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in criminal justice and sociology.

"With my degree I'll be able to advance my career and make more money," said Thompson. "I've had nothing but a positive experience with my online classes . . . and I can keep working while I'm going to school."

More than 100 Tennessee Career Centers have partnered with TBR to expand career advancement and training through online educational programs.

The Campus Collaborative RODP and ROCE programs were developed by TBR's universities, community colleges, and technology centers to provide accessible education and career enhancing courses online.

TBR campuses work together to offer degrees, diplomas, certificates, courses, and training online.

"RODP and ROCE allow working individuals the opportunity to pursue their education and training at a time that's convenient for them," said Johnnie Wheeler, coordinator of the Upper Cumberland Career Center. "The online programs work well with what we're trying to do, which is to help Tennesseans build strong careers and, in turn, a strong workforce for the state."

All TBR institutions are fully accredited and the courses are entirely online. Students have the opportunity to choose a "home campus " from among the six universities awarding Bachelor's and Master's degrees, the 13 community colleges providing Associate degrees and the 27 technology centers offering technical certificates and diplomas. Individuals apply for admission, register for courses, and are awarded degrees, diplomas, or certificates from the "home campus."

"The online courses and programs enable adults to find better jobs, improve current positions, or learn new careers without disrupting their current lifestyles," said Wheeler. "Tennesseans don't have to forgo their current employment status to expand their skills. And, non-working adults have the advantage of taking online courses while continuing to seek employment."

With the programs' 24/7 format, RODP and ROCE aim to offer flexibility and accessibility to higher education and career advancing courses.

Kim Martinez, a student enrolled in ROCE's Professional Secretary Certification course, is also a full-time bookkeeper in Spring Hill.

"I was thrilled when they offered this particular class online so I could work at my own pace and not be tied down to driving two nights a week to attend classes on-campus. I cannot say enough about the teacher. She was awesome throughout the whole class. She showed great concern to help us achieve our goals," said Martinez.

Providing educational access to all Tennesseans is one of the main goals of RODP and ROCE.

"These programs offer access to education for people who are working, or have families, or just simply can't get to a campus to attend classes," said Cookvillian Noble Cody, a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

"We are trying to get students ready for the job market," he said. "Whether students are seeking certificates or degrees, their education will contribute to the growth of Tennessee's economy and to community development across the state."

Support for TBR's online education is widespread among Tennessee's Chambers of Commerce.

"An educated workforce is one of the most important aspects of economic and community development," said George Halford, President/CEO of the Cookeville Area-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.

Others partnering with RODP and ROCE to promote life-long learning and continuing education efforts are Tennessee's more than 300 public libraries, offering Internet access and educational resources, and Gov. Phil Bredesen's Governor's Books from Birth Foundation, a partner of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Books from Birth and Imagination Library encourage reading from an early age by providing each child in Tennessee with an age-appropriate, new book each month until they're five years old, regardless of their parents' income.

"The most important aspect of these partnerships is the ability to connect with people who don't know about the online education opportunities provided by TBR universities, community colleges, and technical centers," said Kevin Liska, Director of the Tennessee Tech University BusinessMedia Center and Coordinator of the Regents Campus Collaborative marketing efforts.

"The career centers are on board to promote the benefits of education of the workforce," said Liska. "We all have the same goal in mind - to help Tennesseans learn more and earn more."

RODP has been rated one of the top three virtual programs in the nation by The Center for Academic Transformation of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - the nation's oldest technological university - which supports higher education institutions taking advantage of information technology to transform their academic practices.

To learn more about Regents Campus Collaborative RODP and ROCE programs, visit www.rodp.org or call 888-223-0023.

To learn more about the Tennessee Board of Regents, visit www.tbr.state.tn.us or call 615-366-4400.

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The Regents Online Campus Collaborative is a member of the SREB Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional Education Board.