ITAC, Foster College graduate programs receive Bartlett Award

Peoria, Illinois . . . March 3, 2003 . . . The Instructional Technology Assistance Center and the graduate programs of the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University were recognized on Tuesday at the annual University Conference with the Helen Bartlett Award for Excellence in Service to Students.

The Helen Bartlett Award was established to encourage, honor, and reward an academic, co-curricular, or support program that has made the most outstanding contributions to Bradley's commitment to its students. An external panel of reviewers selected of the recipients. Each winning unit will receive a crystal recognition piece plus $10,000 of additional operating funds in each of the next two fiscal years.

The Instructional Technology Assistance Center was formed in 1999 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the teaching and learning process with the aid of technology. The Center has implemented the Blackboard course management system that provides faculty the opportunity to enhance studentsÕ learning experience. More than 90% of Bradley students have used Blackboard, and surveys of students indicate a desire and willingness to continue to have the system as part of their academic experience.

The graduate programs in the Foster College in the last three years have taken a comprehensive look at being more responsive to graduate students, meeting the needs of the marketplace, and providing world-class customer service. This collaborative effort has resulted in the creation and implementation of the Accelerated MBA that provides the opportunity for working professionals to complete the MBA within two years, and the Executive MBA in Leadership that just graduated its first class of students. The Executive MBA program has been recognized with the Innovation in the Leadership of Business Education Award from AACSB InternationalÕs Ð MidContinent East Division.