{"id":2383,"date":"2025-03-11T17:15:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/?p=2383"},"modified":"2026-04-29T12:47:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T12:47:50","slug":"graduate-student-head-of-online-learning-discuss-mtsu-onlines-success-on-mtsu-on-2-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/2025\/03\/11\/graduate-student-head-of-online-learning-discuss-mtsu-onlines-success-on-mtsu-on-2-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Student, Head of Online Learning Discuss MTSU Online&#8217;s Success on &#8216;MTSU on 2&#8243; [+VIDEO]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-5-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Graduate Student, Head of Online Learning Discuss MTSU Online's Success on 'MTSU on 2&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-2384\" style=\"width:546px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-5-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-5-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-5-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-5.png 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2014 Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate student Ella Cobb and Trey Martindale, associate vice provost for online learning, know how beneficial online classes can be whether working on a bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a record-breaking year in 2024, the two visited WKRN News 2 for the university\u2019s \u201cMTSU on 2\u201d segment to discuss how students can be successful in online classes and how to build a community and relationships with professors and classmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MTSU: Online Learning\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nCnoxWA8OvI?list=PL67J5bHOGdiDbLYcVRIdaIElZQcBKpk2l\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You can watch the segment, part of the station\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>Local on 2<\/strong>&nbsp;programming, with program co-host and producer&nbsp;<strong>Laura Schweizer<\/strong>&nbsp;and co-host&nbsp;<strong>Stephanie Langston<\/strong>&nbsp;here. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Having received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from MTSU in December, Cobb is no stranger to the university or online classes. Around half of the courses she took as an undergraduate were all online. Now, as a first-semester graduate student working on her MBA, most of the classes she is taking are online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn both online and in-person courses, I have made incredible relationships and connections here at MTSU with professors and students. While in-person courses can be a very impactful and meaningful learning experience, online courses can do the same,\u201d Cobb said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since arriving at MTSU, Cobb has taken advantage of student opportunities even while taking classes online ranging from serving on the Blue Elite student team that gives campus tours to potential students to working with the university\u2019s Marketing and Communications Division, where she works as a social media student worker.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Ella Cobb pictured here in the center with Vice President of Marketing and Communications Division Andrew Oppmann (left) and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee (right) after the second December 2024 commencement ceremony. (Photo: Andy Heidt)\" class=\"wp-image-2386\" style=\"width:429px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-7-2048x1365.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Ella Cobb pictured here in the center with Vice President of Marketing and Communications Division Andrew Oppmann (left) and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee (right) after the second December 2024 commencement ceremony. (Photo: Andy Heidt)<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThrough taking classes online and in-person at MTSU, I have met incredible professors and students. I have also had the opportunity to work on campus more with the flexibility online classes provide,\u201d Cobb said. \u201cIt gives me a chance to do my homework and assignments on my own time, which has let me work MTSU events at any time through my MTSU social media job and tour guide job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MTSU\u2019s online program saw record growth last fall, with 54% of students taking at least one MTSU Online course. Since 2016, the number of fully online programs offered has more than tripled to 74 in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dr.-Trey-Martindale-web.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Trey Martindale, chief online learning officer (Photo by Russ Houston \/ Mississippi State University)\" class=\"wp-image-114900\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Trey Martindale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Last fall<strong>, 545<\/strong>&nbsp;unique online courses were introduced, with more expected soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMTSU Online is not a separate institution from MTSU, and all our programs are the programs of MTSU\u2019s departments, and all our faculty that are teaching are not separate online faculty,\u201d Martindale said. \u201cThey are the regular faculty of MTSU. That\u2019s a strategic decision on the part of our leadership \u2014 our president and provost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur goal is not for the online programs to be as good as the face-to-face programs \u2014 our goal is for them to be better,\u201d Martindale continued. \u201cMTSU Online is a facilitator, so we really rely on their cooperation, and MTSU has been a great environment for collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/MTSUOnline-horiz-logo-web.jpg\" alt=\"MTSU Online \" class=\"wp-image-104909\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>MTSU Online offers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/student-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">key student services<\/a>&nbsp;for online students, such as counseling services, 24\/7 live subject tutoring, library services and writing center tutors. It also offers many&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/online-faculty-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">faculty services<\/a>, including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/professional-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">faculty development and training workshops<\/a>&nbsp;and peer mentoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about MTSU Online and its programs, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014&nbsp;&nbsp; DeAnn Hays (<em>deann.hays@mtsu.edu<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-8-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate student Ella Cobb, and Trey Martindale, head of MTSU Online Learning, appear Friday, March 7, in the \u201cMTSU on 2\u201d segment within WKRN-TV News 2\u2019s Local on 2 programming with co-host Stephanie Langston, and co-host and producer Laura Schweizer, at the station\u2019s studio in Nashville, Tenn. \" class=\"wp-image-2387\" style=\"width:651px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-8-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-8-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-8-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/image-8.png 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate student Ella Cobb, second from right, and Trey Martindale, head of MTSU Online Learning, second from left, appear Friday, March 7, in the \u201cMTSU on 2\u201d segment within WKRN-TV News 2\u2019s Local on 2 programming with co-host Stephanie Langston, far left, and co-host and producer Laura Schweizer, far right, at the station\u2019s studio in Nashville, Tenn. Cobb shared about how MTSU\u2019s flexible online courses allowed her to earn her bachelor\u2019s degree and now pursue her MBA. (MTSU photo by DeAnn Hays)<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2014 Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate student Ella Cobb and Trey Martindale, associate vice provost for online learning, know how beneficial online classes can be whether working on a bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree. After a record-breaking year in 2024, the two visited WKRN News 2 for the university\u2019s \u201cMTSU on 2\u201d segment to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mtsu-online-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2383"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4765,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383\/revisions\/4765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}