“Giving back has always been a priority,” said Maldonado. “It’s something that my wife and I feel very passionate about.”

Maldonado, a first-generation student and retired military veteran, crossed the stage May 11 with eighteen other students who were part of the inaugural cohort of the the students at theĚý. He was still on active duty in Fort Knox, KY, in 2012 when he began his master’s in social work program at Kent School, taking classes online, and in person on nights and weekends.

After Maldonado completed his MSSW and retired from the military in 2015, he was able to advance his career with a DSW he completed 100% online from his current home in Washington state with the support of his family and his employer, the Washington Air National Guard at the U.S. Army’s Joint Base Lewis McChord near Tacoma, Washington.

As an embedded mental health provider on the base, he has implemented a peer-supported resilience program designed to aid military personnel with anxiety and depression. “It can become overwhelming for any of us at any given time,” he said.

Maldonado said his studies gave him a better understanding of social work industry standards. “There have been significant changes in the direction of social justice and anti-racist practice at the forefront of our profession in the last few years,” he said. “I am now prepared to go from helping the individual navigate through the system to helping shape the system so that it better serves the individual, empowering them to make better decisions,” Maldonado said.

In addition to his busy day job, Maldonado has volunteered once a week for the past year with a substance abuse program for active-duty personnel.

“We need to continue to increase access to care not just for our service members but for their family members because the wellness of the member and the family cannot be separated,” he said.

Managing a family, full-time job and doctoral studies was no easy feat, but Maldonado said Kent School helped him feel he was never alone.

“There were so many times I felt overwhelmed but my advisor, , continued to be such a positive cheerleader even when I thought maybe I wasn’t going to make it,” he said. “All of the Kent School faculty and staff were genuinely interested in my success. Since I completed the program, I honestly believe that I am a better version of my capacity, and a better social worker.”ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý

“Students pursuing the DSW through the online platform can satisfy all degree requirements in three years without disrupting their careers,” said David Jenkins, dean of the UofL Kent School of Social Work. “This program transforms experienced professionals into scholars, teachers and organizational leaders positively impacting vulnerable and marginalized populations.”

±«´Ç´Úł˘â€™s has grown to more than 50, including bachelor’s, master’s and certificates, with nearly 70 total programs expected by Spring 2022. ±«´Ç´Úł˘â€™s online learning experienced more than 40% growth from 2019 to 2020, enrolling 1,534 students in Fall 2019 and increasing to 2,156 students in Fall 2020. Ěý

“Our online programs deliver the same renowned education and degree as students would receive in-person, developed and taught by UofL faculty,” said Gale Rhodes, vice provost and executive director of the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. “Online students walk away with the same pride in their degree, ready to take the next step in their life and pursue career progressions.”

UofL entered the emerging field of fully-online education 20 years ago with the launch of three master’s degrees in 2001. Since then, online education at the university has made a significant impact on the communities of Louisville and beyond.

Online programs allow UofL to reach beyond Kentucky, with 36% of students living outside the Commonwealth, excluding the reciprocity Indiana counties. Military-connected students make up 20% of online learners, making higher education attainable even while students are deployed overseas. Military-connected designation encompasses Active-Duty, Coast Guard, Reserve, National Guard, veteran or dependent.

“As we move into 2021, the non-traditional student population remains a high priority for the university. Our focus is to reach these students and provide them the opportunity to receive high-quality, market-driven online education that aligns with employer demands,” Rhodes said.

In academic year 2020-2021, UofL launched 13 new programs in market-demand areas including analytics, business administration and health administration. ±«´Ç´Úł˘â€™s MBA program became available as a completely-online option in 2019.Ěý

Online education is appealing to non-traditional learners and working professionals, as it allows them to balance work, life and education without having to deprioritize the things that matter most.

“I needed flexibility, there’s no way I could earn an education in-person. I needed a program where I could also go pick up my son from daycare or go to work,” said Sasha Hill, UofL online engineering management student.

The is awaiting final approval by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary łÉČËÖ±˛Ą, and will begin accepting applications in July. Learn more about online social work programs through this .