Monthly archive: October 2020

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) recently approved Richmont Graduate University’s newly launched Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. The online program was determined to be equivalent to the traditional program, which has been fully accredited since 2015. This accomplishment signifies that the online program meets the highest educational and clinical training standards within the counseling profession.

Dr. Stanley Hoover, Associate Professor of Counseling & Online Program Director at Richmont Graduate University, states “This is a significant achievement that affirms the quality and value of our online program. It reflects a great deal of hard work by an outstanding team of faculty and staff who are deeply invested in advancing Richmont’s mission further than ever.”

While the number of online courses offered by the School of Counseling has increased in recent years, students now have the option to complete their entire degrees through distance learning and a series of in-person residencies. This affords students greater flexibility and convenience while also engaging them in the rigorous, highly experiential clinical training for which Richmont is known. Expanding online teaching and learning in these ways reflects the University’s commitment to excellence and innovation. It also creates opportunities for students from all over the world to become part of the Richmont community.

For more information regarding Richmont Graduate University and forthcoming initiatives, please visit richmont.edu.

In the spring of 2020, Richmont Graduate University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted several town hall meetings which addressed the nation’s challenges in diversity, racial injustice, and cultural humility. The response across campuses in Atlanta, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee was heart-warming with support for the meetings in record numbers from Richmont constituents.  As a result, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion decided to launch a contest in the spirit of demonstrating Richmont’s stance on social advocacy.  The contest is aptly titled, “Voice to Power.”

Sonja Sutherland, Richmont’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Director, states “The Voice to Power contest invites Richmont students, faculty, staff and alumni to put a voice to action by creating a design that speaks to Richmont’s desire to be a voice against social injustice. The design will be used as a sign that will hang outside each of Richmont’s campuses in Atlanta and Chattanooga.  Richmont constituents and supporters can purchase the winning yard sign to place in their yards in support of the University.”

The criterion for the contest design asks that contestants to create a sign that addresses and/or reflects  Racial injustice, as well as multiple other aspects of injustice and marginalization specific to our current time; Richmont’s mission and values as expressed through Richmont’s statement of diversity and inclusion; and must include the words Richmont Graduate University or the website, richmont.edu

The contest will run from October 12 to October 23, 2020.  The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Affairs will vote and decide on the winner by October 30, 2020.

If you are interested in participating, please email your design to odi@richmont.edu

For more information regarding Richmont Graduate University and forthcoming initiatives, please visit richmont.edu.

This is the second year Richmont is participating in Atlanta Magazine’s GIVE Atlanta Challenge October 7th through 23rd. The GIVE Atlanta Challenge is a friendly online competition among nonprofits to highlight the importance of philanthropy in the Atlanta-metro community. As one of many competing nonprofits. Richmont plans to invest all GIVE Atlanta donations towards advancing its mission in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and abroad.

Every year, Richmont conducts an Annual Fund campaign to garner resources for the University to help provide programs and services while keeping tuition as low as possible. The GIVE Atlanta Challenge provides us a fun way to generate support and excitement for the Annual Fund.

Amy Estes, Richmont’s Director of Development, states, “We understand the financial commitment to earn a master’s degree is significant. So, we ask students to support the Annual Fund because their participation speaks volumes about the value they place on Richmont and provides us leverage when we seek other funding. Participating in the GIVE Atlanta Challenge for these 17 days is a fun way for students and all donors to participate in our Annual Fund giving.”

This year, our campus hosted several town hall discussions titled, Courageous Conversations. During the meetings, we heard from our community the desire for more diversity at Richmont. Research has shown that scholarship support for minority students is important to achieving diversity, which is why Richmont began awarding Bridge Scholarships in 2018. Working together, Richmont’s Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Development are launching a campaign with alumni to increase funding for the Bridge Scholarship program. We invite donors to give toward the Bridge Scholarship by participating in the 2020 GIVE Challenge.

The 2020 GIVE Challenge runs from October 7th through October 23rd. All gifts made through the GIVE Challenge during these 17 days count towards Richmont’s leaderboard total, and the University’s philanthropic support for the 2021 fiscal year. A gift of just $10 counts in the GIVE Atlanta Challenge.

To support Richmont in the GIVE Atlanta Challenge, visit https://www.mightycause.com/event/Richmontgive

Richmont Graduate University is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Joshua Rice as the University’s first-ever Acting Provost. As Acting Provost, Dr. Rice will serve as chief academic officer and be responsible for the vision, planning, creation and delivery of the University’s academic programs. In addition, he will exercise leadership over and operationalize Richmont’s In Pursuit of Excellence 2019-2021 strategic plan to achieve its Five Core Aspirations: Pursue Excellence and Innovation, Enhance the Student Experience, Engage New and Diverse Populations, Articulate the Richmont Difference, and Grow Resources and Learning Infrastructure.

In response to this appointment, Dr. Rice states, “I am humbled to serve our students and our University’s mission in this new capacity. I am especially excited to accelerate the execution of our current Strategic Plan and to spearhead the development of new programs and resource pools, all toward the overall goal of expanding Richmont’s footprint in Atlanta, Chattanooga and online. I expect this to be a work of innovation, collaboration, and joy!”

With nearly twenty years of pastoral ministry experience, seventeen years of higher education teaching experience, ten years of senior leadership experience, fund-raising successes and service as a Trustee on the Board of Mount Paran Christian School, Dr. Rice brings a wealth of experience in areas and functions that only amplify Richmont’s mission, vision, and values. In addition, Dr. Rice’s tireless energy and entrepreneurial drive, macro-level perspective, and clear commitment to our mission will help elevate and catapult Richmont into the upper stratum of faith-based higher education institutions.

Richmont’s President, Dr. Timothy Quinnan, looks forward to working alongside Dr. Rice to advance Richmont towards its destiny of becoming a global leader in faith-based counseling and ministry education and destination of first-choice for the best and brightest.

Dr. Rice began his tenure as Acting Provost Monday, October 5^th.