Regent University’s 43rd year was one of incredible growth and accomplishments. Despite ongoing pandemic challenges, we celebrated record-breaking milestones, welcomed new leaders, and received many prestigious honors and awards.
The university has experienced seven straight years of industry-leading enrollment growth, and with over 2,500 graduates, the class of 2021 was the largest in Regent’s history. The Hon. Michele Bachmann was named dean of the Robertson School of Government. Longtime dean for the School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC), Dr. William Hathaway assumed the role of executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Dr. Anna Ord was named SPC’s new dean.
Our alumni continue to change the world, working in 74% of the top Fortune 100 companies, including Apple, Amazon, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Lockheed Martin, and many others. Over 1,100 of our alumni are serving as ministry leaders, 800 serve as C-level leaders in organizations around the globe, and over 5,000 are veterans or serving on active duty in the United States military. We are excited to begin highlighting the accomplishments of our incredible graduates in Impact’s new Alumni News section.
Regent Royals celebrated some firsts in 2021. For the first time in the program’s history, Women’s Soccer received a bid to the NCCAA regionals and played in their first postseason competition game. Four cross-country runners competed in the regional meet at Bob Jones University, marking the team’s first participation in the postseason competition.
Regent also received seven distinctive #1 accolades in 2021, including #1 Online Christian College in America (Bible College Online), #1 Best Online College in Virginia (Intelligent.com), and #1 Online Bachelor’s in Virginia (U.S. News & World Report).
“The vision of Regent University is to be the most influential, Christian, transformational university in the world,” said Hathaway. “It is truly remarkable to reflect on the numerous ways that Regent demonstrated this vision throughout 2021. We praise and thank the Lord for all of His many blessings. We continue to commit ourselves in 2022 and beyond to bringing glory to God as we advance Regent’s mission of Christian Leadership to Change the World.”
The university implemented several ambitious programs and initiatives that are propelling us to greater heights in 2022. Some notable startups included the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, a Master of Science in Accounting program and two state-of-the-art music degree programs. Our students continued to flourish in new opportunities, such as law students assisting the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law in filing their second U.S. Supreme Court brief. And cybersecurity students augmented classroom learning with real-world experience through a newly crafted internship course.
New Master’s in Accounting Program for Up-and-Coming Professionals
Rajan Tewari (SBL ’19) worked full time as a senior auditor at a large company when he decided to enroll in Regent’s new Master of Science in Accounting program within the School of Business & Leadership that launched last fall.
Rajan said that in addition to the advantages of taking online courses, he wanted to continue on the path of a Christ-centered education.
“Not only are you part of something greater than yourself at Regent, but everyone from the admission clerk to the dean actually takes the time to address your questions and concerns. You are more than a student with an ID number,” explained Rajan.
Dr. Doris Gomez, dean of the School of Business & Leadership, said the program was designed especially for students like Rajan. “All of the students that we have received into this program are tremendous professionals already. They know what they want and are highly motivated to get the degree. It’s a joy to see the high caliber of students that are coming into this program.”
According to Gomez, the 30 credit hour program, which is 100% online, can be completed in one year, but students can work at their own pace to accommodate their personal and professional lives. The program includes the additional benefit of a cooperative partnership with Becker CPA Review, the leading professional organization in developing CPA study materials.
“We want to continue to grow the program because it provides tremendous opportunities for our graduates,” Gomez said. “Becker CPA, for example, is very well connected with the Big Four accounting firms, and so there is great opportunity there for our students to get plugged in.”
College of Health & Behavioral Sciences Treats the Mind, Body & Spirit
Regent launched the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences in Fall 2021, bringing under one umbrella the School of Psychology & Counseling, the School of Nursing, and the School of Allied Health (formerly the Department of Healthcare Management).
“This is the future of health professions, and we are thrilled to be among the first universities to structure and unify our efforts in this manner,” said Dr. Anna Ord, dean of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences.
Ord added that undergraduate and graduate education in these critical areas would distinctively integrate science and faith. “Regent graduates will stand out professionally for their academic excellence, innovative and holistic care, and ability to wisely engage ethical concerns.”
Ord explained that the individual schools addressed one primary academic area in the past—with nurses treating the body and psychologists treating the mind. “We’re moving away from that model and implementing a model of holistic healthcare so that our students are prepared to provide integrated care, looking at the whole person to promote wellness of the mind, body and spirit.”
Ord also explained the schools’ degree programs reinforce the knowledge students gain in the lecture hall with hands-on training in various settings, benefiting from Regent’s partnerships with major healthcare systems in Hampton Roads.
The College will offer cross-disciplinary courses in Fall 2022 and launch the Nurse Practitioner program, which will allow graduates to provide vital medical and mental health services to underserved populations.
Robertson Center Files U.S. Supreme Court Brief in Historic Case
Last summer, the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law and the Christian Legal Society filed an amicus brief in a case many deem the most significant abortion case the Supreme Court has taken in decades: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The case is considering the constitutionality of a Mississippi law prohibiting most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
This brief is the second U.S. Supreme Court brief filed by the Robertson Center for Constitutional Including this brief, the Robertson Center has now filed four U.S. Supreme Court briefs since Regent University launched the center in the summer of 2020.
“Dobbs is the most significant abortion-related case in a generation,” said Professor Brad Lingo, executive director of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. “We’re grateful that the Robertson Center could play such a meaningful role and do it with a partner like the Christian Legal Society. We’re asking the Supreme Court to restore our constitutional traditions and return to the people the role of determining abortion-related policy.”
The brief unpacks some of the key constitutional principles involved in the case, including federalism and substantive due process. The work provided an opportunity for Regent Law students to get firsthand experience working on a Supreme Court brief.
“It was an incredible learning experience to observe leading Christian constitutional lawyers strategize and craft a Supreme Court brief,” said Gabrielle Bruno (LAW ’23), a student intern at the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. “My experience with the center deepened my understanding of appellate advocacy and sparked a passion for getting more involved in this work.”
On December 1, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs. There are several possible outcomes, including the potential to overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. A decision is not expected until late spring or summer.
New Degrees Amplify Proficiency & the Joy of Music
In Fall 2021, Regent launched two new state-of-the-art music degree programs on its Virginia Beach campus: a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Leadership.
The degree programs develop proficient musicians, performers and leaders for those seeking a high-quality education in advanced musical training.
“The foundational goal of Regent’s music program is to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and to provide people with the peace and healing of music,” said Joan Pi, DMA, director of Choral Activities & Assistant Professor in Music within the School of Communication & the Arts.
Pi joined Regent’s faculty in August to prepare for the fall launch of the new music programs.
The Bachelor of Music offers concentrations in Church Music, Music Leadership and Music Performance for students seeking careers in performance, directing, composition and teaching. The Bachelor of Arts in Music Leadership is designed for students planning to serve as worship leaders, music directors, music teachers, or lead a music ministry.
The curriculum builds upon the minor program in music developed by Don Krudop, DMA, professional in residence, and director of Regent’s Vox Coelestis choir.
“Right now, we are investing in marketing and attending conferences to tell people about all that Regent has to offer to musicians,” Pi said. “Through recruitment, we’ll bring in more people, not only from the Hampton Roads area but from the whole nation.”
Pi said the development of the music program includes getting the word out that offerings have expanded; and fostering the development of partnerships to increase their instrument inventory and opportunities. She is currently seeking to purchase high-quality pianos and will add strings, woodwinds and percussion instruments over time.
Cybersecurity Program Kicks Off New Internship Course
With Regent’s new cybersecurity internship course, students can now get even more hands-on experience to compete in the workforce after graduation.
Cheryl Beauchamp, director of Regent’s Institute for Cybersecurity, designed the course knowing how necessary internship experience can be for a comprehensive educational experience. Each week the students are asked to reflect on different aspects of their internship, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and faith integration.
“I really feel God guided me in what I wanted to create for this course,” said Beauchamp.
The course is a practical opportunity to utilize the skills, competencies and knowledge gained from course material in professional environments. But even more than that, it’s a springboard for students to carry out the mission of Christian Leadership to Change the World.
The first undergraduate student to take the course last fall, Amanda Henderson (CAS ’21), embarked on an overseas journey for an internship at a church that perfectly combined her passion for technology and ministry. (See related story here.)
“Most of my students who share with me that they’ve done an internship are offered a job by that same organization,” said Beauchamp. “Because our students are incredible, they are reliable and of high character, and employers want to hire them.”
To learn more about Regent’s innovative degree programs, visit regent.edu/degrees.
