SIUE has been working intentionally to serve online and distance students since the first online class was launched in 1998! While many things have changed in the online space since then, a focus on access, quality and service to students at SIUE has not. New federal regulations will soon be in effect and these new regulations ensure that schools provide students the most robust information to help them understand how earning SIUE degrees can help them seek professional licensure or certification in their field of study. “No longer is it the case that we can assume students should explore majors and ask questions about where certain degrees might lead them”, says Kimberly Kilgore J.D., Manager of Federal, State, and Licensure Compliance. “Schools are expected to help prospective students understand whether their degree will lead them where they want to go by providing detailed information about state licensure requirements."
SIUE joined the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in 2016. Being a part of this collaborative allows SIUE to offer online education to students in other states and supports best practices for supporting online students. Kimberly Kilgore was hired in 2019 and her role is to continually guide campus leaders in following these new regulations with an eye toward ensuring equitable services, full access to online course content, and compliance with state and federal reporting regulations. “I am grateful for Kimberly’s contributions to online learning at SIUE” says Matt Schmitz, Associate Director of Online and Blended Education. “Serving our students and keeping our campus up to date with new regulations is an important of our role in shaping a changing world."
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.